“…You no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” – Romans 6:14 NLT
Is it all or nothing with the law? Does it then mean the law is redundant and irrelevant since all believers need is faith in Christ?
The Apostle Paul answered these questions when he said: “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law…Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfil the law.” Romans 3:27-28, 31 (NLT)
The law is not put aside, relegated, or irrelevant just because we are accepted by faith in Christ. The law has its proper place in the justice of God because Christ Himself, fully satisfied the demands of the law.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also affirmed this truth about the Old Testament laws and teachings when He said: “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NLT)
The word fulfil does not mean “to bring to an end” but can also mean “to complete”. Jesus was setting the records straight by declaring that He came to fulfil and complete the requirements of the law.
“For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says…‘The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.’ And that message is the very message about faith that we preach.” Romans 10:3-8 (NLT)
Christ is the end or fulfilment of the law. In his Bible Commentary, Bible teacher and author John MacArthur said: “Belief in Christ as Lord and Saviour brings an end to sinner’s futile quest for righteousness through his imperfect attempts to save himself by efforts to obey the law.”
The New Testament teaches that believers are not obligated or required to observe the requirements of the law. But as we become more like Christ, we automatically become obedient to the law of God. As we live by faith, we become recipients or beneficiaries of Christ’s fulfilment of the righteous requirements of the law.
In conclusion, Christ is our righteousness and in Him, believers fulfil the requirements of the law. The law is still very much efficacious, valid and its tenets are eternal and life-giving.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 