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The Daily Word of Righteousness
From Moses to Christ, #2
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (Romans 7:1)
Let us state in the beginning (though we may come back to it later) that the Law and statutes of Moses have no jurisdiction over the new creation, only over the adamic creation. Therefore for the Jew or anyone else to attempt to return to the Law of Moses is to resurrect the adamic man and attempt to teach him how to please God. This is utterly impossible.
As long as the adamic man lives, the Law has jurisdiction over him. There is no need for the Law of Moses to govern the new creation for the new creation has been born of God and does not commit sin.
The Law of Moses Continues in Force
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)
For those who hold that Divine grace is an unconditional forgiveness of the sins of Gentiles, the above passage is explained in one or more of the following ways:
"After Christ's resurrection this passage no longer is binding on Christians." However, it may be noticed that Jesus was referring to the status of people in the Kingdom of Heaven, in which kingdom all saints hope to have a part. It is a little too simplistic to dismiss the Lord's words in this manner. After all, Jesus said the Law would be in force until heaven and earth pass away.
"We still are bound by all or part of the Law even though we are Christians."
"Jesus was speaking only to non-Christian Jews in the four Gospel accounts and the Gospels do not apply to born-again Christians." This view is held by many in spite of the immense problems it causes. For example, what do we do about the Lord's teaching about being born again, which is found in the Gospel of John? We certainly cannot cut and paste passages of the Bible according to our notions!
A fourth explanation is that Jewish Christians are bound by the Law of Moses whereas Gentile Christians are not—at least not to the same extent.
Actually, none of these explanations can pass the test of scriptural verification.
One great problem in Christian thinking today has to do with the division that is made between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, or between Israel and the Church. Let us explain.
There is a physical people and land of Israel, and God has promised to return His blessing to the physical people and land in the last days. We think we are very close to the end of the "times of the Gentiles."
To be continued.