The Old Law
There are some people who justify them selves by using the
old law (laws of the old testament). However, Christ taught us
through his apostles that we are no longer under such laws
because he has fulfilled the law. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." In Galatians 3:16-22
(and Romans 3:9-25) we learn that the old law was for our
transgressions till the seed (who is Christ, v.16) should
come. If we keep reading to (24) we see that "Wherefore the
law was our schoolmaster to bring us
unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Also Romans
15:4) (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God
by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Those that have died with Christ (Romans 6:3-8)
Now some may be confused and wonder why Christ had to die to
fulfill the promise made to Abraham by God. Therefore let us
read Hebrews 9:15-17; "And for this cause he is the mediator
of the new testament, that by means of death, for the
redemption of the transgressions that
were under the first testament, they which are
called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16)
For where a testament is,
there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
(17) For a testament is
of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at
all while the testator liveth." (You can also read verses
18-28 for a great understanding.) Furthermore, the reason for
the change is because it did not make one perfect. Hebrews
7:11-12 "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical
priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what
further need was there
that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (12)
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law." Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of
peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, (21) Make you perfect in every good work
to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in
his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen."
Since Christians are under a new testament, we are no longer
under the first nor are we to justify ourselves with it.
Galatians 5:4 states "Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace." Galatians 2:15-16 says "We who
are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the
Gentiles, (16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by
the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by
the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." This was
the covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34 "Behold, the days
come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: (32) Not
according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in
the day that I took them
by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them,
saith the LORD: (33) But this shall
be the covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law
in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will
be their God, and they shall be my people. (34) And they shall
teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the
LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember
their sin no more." (also in Hebrews 8:8-11)
Make no mistake, being free from the handwritten
requirements of the old law does not give man the free will to
sin. We are not under the law of the old covenant; instead, we
are under the law of liberty as James rights in James 1:21-25
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls. (22) But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23)
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like
unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he
beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed. " For even Christ says in John 14:15 "If
ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:21 "He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and
he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love
him, and will manifest myself to him." For even Christ showed
his love for the Father by obeying him (John 14:31 a) "But
that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the
Father gave Me commandment, so I do." Hebrews 5:8-9 "Though he
were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; (9) And being made perfect, he became the author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Therefore,
(Romans 6:17) "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants
of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of
doctrine which was delivered you."
All passages come from the KJV Bible.