"F.A.Q.—Are The Old Testament Laws Still to Be Followed?"
Galatians 3-4:7; 5:1-6:2
What Law?
- The New Testament uses the word "law" in a couple of ways:
- The Old Testament (Romans 3:19)
- The Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44)
- Mosaic Law (Law of Moses)
- First five books of the Bible
Why the Law?
- To set apart the people of Israel from the world and to God.
"You shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." Leviticus 20:26
- To communicate God's standard for holiness and pleasing Him. (Exodus 20:3-17)
"As a wild beast is tied to keep it from running amuck, so the Law bridles mad and furious man to keep him from running wild."—Martin Luther
- To reveal our sin. (Romans 3:20; 5:20; 7:7; Galatians 3:19)
Free From the Law . . .
- What the Law pointed to has been fulfilled in Christ.
"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons (and daughters) of God, through faith." Galatians 3:24-26
- Righteousness is not received by Law keeping, but by gospel grace.
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4
- I do not strive to do right so that I might be made righteous. (legalism)
- In Christ I am made righteous and desire to do what is right and pleasing to God.
- We are not under the Mosaic Law, but under the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2; Matthew 22:34-40)
- Freedom from the Law does not mean freedom to sin. (Romans 6:15)
