Loving the Law is Loving the Lord

Church family:
Every Christian struggles with the question, how does the Old Testament Law relate to my life? Are Christians still obligated to follow parts of the Old Testament Law, or is it completely irrelevant to them? As antinomianism (being against God’s Law) becomes more common today, it is increasingly vital to address these questions.

Which of the 613 Old Testament Laws from God still apply to Christians today? Simply stated, the ceremonial, civil, and moral laws were all purposive, serving different roles in God’s covenant with Israel. First, the ceremonial law, focused on worship and sacrifices, pointed to Christ and is now fulfilled and no longer binding. Second, the civil law governed Israel’s society and justice system, reflecting moral principles adapted to their culture, but is also no longer binding today. Third, however, there is the moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, which reflects God’s unchanging, timeless, holy standards of right and wrong based on His holy character. God's moral Law still applies today to guide all Christians in righteous living and loving God and others.

What does God want to happen in you as you meditate on God's moral Law through the power His Holy Spirit? He will:

• Reveal His holy nature and moral standards (Romans 7:12; Psalm 119:105).
• Expose your sin and your need for divine grace (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24).
• Guide you in righteous living, reflecting His holy character (Deuteronomy 6:24; Micah 6:8).
• Point forward to Christ, who fulfills the Law perfectly on our behalf (Matthew 5:17-18; Galatians 3:24).

Absolutely, in Christ we are freed from the Law's curse by His atoning work, yet we are nonetheless called to obey God's moral Law as a loving response and a reflection of our new life in Christ. In fact, the highest function of the Law is our loving obedience which gives God honor and glory (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10). Jesus announced this in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:19 “whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Teaching and doing God’s moral Law are of eternal importance.

Today and every day we are called to understand and uphold God's moral Law not as a means of salvation but as a reflection of God's righteous character and a guide for holy living. God's Law reveals God’s nature and invites us to live in loving obedience with His will, reflecting His character in our lives. Blessed are you when you delight in the law of the Lord! (Psalm 1)

See you Sunday, loving God's Law: Steve