The Jewish Christians could not conceive of God working with uncircumcised people. This presented a problem in the early churches.

Paul wrote a letter to the churches of Galatia in which he discussed circumcision, referring also to the entire Law of Moses.

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2)

The relationship between the Law of Moses and the grace of God in Christ is seldom, it appears, presented clearly. The Christian position often is stated as, we are not under the Law but under grace; or, Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

These comments are scriptural but they do not solve the problem of the Christian and sin. The result is that today there are literally millions of Christians who have little understanding of how God regards their behavior. There is utter confusion on this point and the believers remain spiritual babies as a result.

Spiritual growth is growth in the ability to distinguish between good and evil, and to receive the good and resist the evil. One cannot distinguish between good and evil, or receive the good and resist the evil, unless it is understood how God regards our behavior under the new covenant.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13,14)

Paul's answer to the relation between Moses and Christ, and what the Christian's attitude toward sin should be, is found in the Book of Galatians.

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. (Galatians 2:16)

Paul is not stating that no one in time past ever pleased God under the Law, for the Scripture states that righteousness was expected at that time under those regulations.

And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. (Deuteronomy 1:16)

And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us. (Deuteronomy 6:25)

Paul himself walked blamelessly under the Law.

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:6)

However, those whom God declared to be righteous, such as Noah, Job, Abraham, and Daniel, were not distinguished by adherence to the ordinances of the Law of Moses but by their whole behavior as a person. They behaved righteously, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God. The heroes of faith of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews give us some idea of what God regards as faith and righteousness.

What Paul is declaring is that now that God has presented us with a superior covenant, validated by the blood of God's own son, we are not to seek righteousness by observing any of the elements of the Law of Moses—not even circumcision!

To be continued.