Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 2)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Last week’s article raised the question of whether or not the Law of Moses constitutes our moral and spiritual guide today. I pointed out that many people turn to the Old Testament for their authority for practices such as tithing, Sabbath observance, burning of incense in worship, instrumental music in worship, infant church membership and a separate priesthood.

Part one of the series explained the difference between inspiration and authority. The Old Testament is just as inspired as the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16). However, this fact alone does not constitute the Law of Moses as our present religious authority. We further noted that the Law of Moses was given to the Jewish people, not to others (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). Let us consider some other reasons why we are not under the Law of Moses.

3. Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses. He said, “Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away, till all things be accomplished” (Matthew 5:17, 18). The sinless life of the savior “fully filled” the law, thus satisfying its legal requirements. We should remember that while on the cross, Jesus uttered the words “it is finished” (John 19:30). The death of Jesus marked the end of the Old Testament era, and the inauguration of the New Testament (see Hebrews 9:15-17).

4. Paul told his Jewish brethren that it would constitute spiritual adultery for them to be under both Old and New Testament laws at the same time (Romans 7:1-4). The same consequence would apply to us. Paul here cites the physical marriage relationship to illustrate his deeper spiritual point. The woman, who marries another man while her husband yet lives, is an adulteress. Similarly, people commit [spiritual] adultery when they join themselves to both the Law of Moses and to the Law of Christ. “Through the body of Christ” [his death] people “died to the law” [of Moses.] The death of Christ released the Jews from the Law of Moses (Romans 7:6), and allowed them to be joined to Christ.

5. One cannot be saved by Christ while seeking justification by the Law of Moses. Paul told the saints of Galatia, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). This verse alone should be enough to convince folks that we are not under the Law of Moses. Paul later told these same saints to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). All today are “under the law to Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21). (more to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.