WHY THE LAW? (Part 1 of ???)

I. What is the Law?
II. Salvation by Faith Leading to Works of the Law
III. The Purpose of the Law
- The Law Reveals the Nature of the Creator
- The Law Teaches the Proper Response to Grace
- Righteous Acts of the Law Preserve the World
IV. The Observance of the Law in the New Testament
- The Obligation Is Not the Same for Every Person
V. The Function of the Law in the Millennial Kingdom
VI. Typical Arguments Against the Law
- The Law Could Not Make Man Perfect
- Jesus Fulfilled the Law Resulting in the End of the Law
- Obedience is More Important Than Sacrifice
- The Law Was Temporary and Faded Away
- Jesus Set Believers Free From the Law
VII. The Continuing Importance of the Law
VIII. The End (Transformation) of the Law

It is almost impossible to discuss the original purpose and continuing relevance of “the Law” without upsetting someone. On one hand, most believers hold that the Law has been “abolished” because it was “fulfilled” by Jesus. In taking this position, believers ignore the historical usages of the rabbinic terms “fulfill” and “abolish,” and fail to consider that many promises of God, including the fundamental covenants given to Abraham, are contained in the first five books of the Bible, the Law. Further, abolishing any part of God’s Law runs contrary to the words of Jesus who said, “until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished,” (Matt 5:18). When we discount any part of God’s word, we endanger the continuing existence of the very creation (2 Pet 3:7), and come very close to discounting the Author of the word as null and void. The author of Hebrews considered this statement applicable at the time he wrote it,

“Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witness,” (Heb 10:28).

At the other extreme, some Gentile believers hold the Law as binding on all believers, but are inconsistent in living out the requirements of the Law in a Gentile world. The primary difficulties these believers encounter revolve around the keeping of Sabbath, the application of kosher restrictions, the laws of cleanliness, and the observance of the seven major festivals given by God in scripture.

A strong case can be made that many of Jesus’ Hebrew disciples and Hebrew converts continued to live in obedience to the Law. However, the Jerusalem council of Acts chapter 15 and the letters of Paul, primarily addressed to the Gentile audiences, make a strong case that Gentiles and Jews are not under the same standard of compliance to the commandments contained in the Law. Believers should appreciate that unity in Christ is through the Spirit and does not mean uniformity in all aspects of our faith.

(This post is several years in the making and subject to continuous improvement.  The discussion is much more complicated than quoting a few passages from scripture.  To do the study justice would probably require something equivalent to a college semester course so I will fall well short. - Scott)