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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Not Under the Law but Under Grace, #15
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. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:17-22)
It often is true that the teachers of the new covenant imply we are free from the Law of Moses so we can prance about in glee. The ogre, the "old Jewish Jehovah," has died and now we can be happy in our freedom. The truth is, the new covenant is infinitely more demanding on the worshiper. He who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than any of the Prophets.
Jesus did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill the Law in Himself so He would be free to bring His disciples into a total worship of body, soul, and spirit.
The Law has not passed away and shall not pass away. Rather, the Law is fulfilled as Christ, the Lawgiver and Lawkeeper, having died to make an atonement for our sins, transfers the intent of the Law into our mind and heart by Himself coming into our mind and heart.
The innocent Lord Jesus suffered the penalty of the transgression of His own Law. Now He Himself is being formed in us so we will keep the intent of the Law by Nature. He gave the Law. He kept the Law. He was the sacrifice required by the Law. He Himself is all that the Law is and requires. Now He is being created in us so we shall by our new nature keep all the intent of the Law.
This is the meaning of the saying, "Christ is the end [fulfillment] of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."
When we say "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" we mean the Law no longer is able to kill us. The grace of God, which includes the forming of the Law (Christ) in us, enables us to be so changed in personality that the righteousness of our behavior will exceed that of the most devout Pharisee.
To be continued.