The Bible teaches that Christians today are not under the Mosaic Law but are governed by the Law of Christ (Gal 6:2). The apostle Paul states, “you are not under law but under grace” (Rom 6:14), and again, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom 10:4). The Mosaic Law was given exclusively to the nation Israel as part of a covenant made at Sinai (Ex 19:5-6; Deut 5:1-3). Moses wrote, “These are the statutes and ordinances and laws which the Lord established between Himself and the sons of Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai” (Lev 26:46). The Mosaic Law was never intended as a universal code for all people or for all time. With the death of Christ, that covenant—and the law that sustained it—was rendered inoperative (Eph 2:15; Heb 8:13). Though the Law remains part of inspired Scripture and is valuable for teaching (2 Tim 3:16), it no longer functions as the rule of life for those who are in Christ.
Tag: Law of Moses
The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ
God gives law to humans living in every age. He gave commands to the first humans living in the sinless environment of the Garden of Eden (Gen 1:26-30; 2:15-17). He gave commands to Noah (Gen 6-9). He gave commands to Abraham (Gen 12:1; 17:10-14). He gave commands to the Israelites—known as the Mosaic Law—after delivering them from their bondage in Egypt (Ex 20 - Deut 34). He has given commands to Christians (Rom 1-Rev 3). These biblical distinctions are important, for though all Scripture is written for the benefit of the Christian, only some portions of it speak specifically to him and command his walk with the Lord. Just as the Christian would not try to obey the commands God gave to Adam in Genesis 1-2, or the commands God gave to Noah in Genesis 6-9, so he should not try to obey the commands God gave to Israel in Exodus through Deuteronomy. Romans chapter 1 through Revelation chapter 3 marks the specific body of Scripture that directs the Christian life both regarding specific commands and divine principles.