Has Jesus done away with the Law? —Answering the problems that come up

Goal:

To clearly understand how we should relate to the law in the New Covenant

Has Jesus done away with the Law?
—Answering the problems that come up

1. If the Law was for the Jews, what about everyone else?
2. How does Jesus relate to the Law of Moses?
3. Does the Old Testament law have any value now that Jesus has come?
4. In the New Covenant, how should we relate to the law yet avoid legalism

1. If the Law was for the Jews, what about everyone else?

• What about Gentiles? Were they under the law?
• What about non-Christians today? What law are they judged by?
• Are non-Christians today they under a covenant?

Romans 2

14. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
16. on that day when, as my gospel declares, God will judge the secrets of human hearts by Christ Jesus.

Noam Chomsky: On Humanism and Morality

“…just as our language capabilities are genetically determined, so is our capacity – as human beings – for moral judgement”

But, the fact of the matter is that we’re constantly making moral judgments in new situations, and over a substantial range we do it in a convergent fashion–we don’t differ randomly and wildly from one another. Furthermore, young children do it, very quickly, and they also converge

• Noam Chomsky interviewed by Tor Wennerberg chomsky.info

2. How does Jesus relate to the Law of Moses?

• How do we relate to the O.T. law today?
• Does it have any value for Christians, and if so, what?

Three-fold division of the law

• To a certain extent we can divide the law into
• Ceremonial (offerings, Temple worship, no pork, clothing rules)
• Civil (cultural, detailed penalties)
• Moral (Ten Commandments and other personal standards)

Leviticus 19

34. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

• Is it Moral, Civil, or Ceremonial?
• It is both Moral and Civil

John 1

17. For the law was given through Moses; but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5

21. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be liable to judgment; …
    …
43. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

What about the Sabbath?

• Ex 23:12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest
• Mathew 11 (Greek: anapauō)

28. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 5

17. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
    I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
    not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law
    until all is accomplished.

Galatians 3 – the Law temporarily restrained sin

19. Why then was the law given?
    It was added because of transgressions,
    until the arrival of the Descendant
    to whom the promise had been made.

Galatians 3 – but now…

24. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
25. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
26. for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God, through faith…
28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female — for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

The usefulness of law once Christ came

1. It shows people they need Christ.
   When we feel the guilt of our sin, we can experience the joy of having it wiped away by Jesus
2. It restrains evil in this world, by government and by conscience
3. The law of Jesus helps us discern when we are walking according to the Spirit

• Notice I am very careful how I phrase this

Law of Moses

• Is the O.T. law any use to us now that we have the law of Jesus?
• Yes, but treat it as “wisdom”, not law

Philippians 4
Paul has received a gift from them

10. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me…
11. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

4. In the New Covenant, how should we relate to the law yet avoid legalism