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Sunday, September 9, 2018 pm

IF WE FOLLOW THE OLD LAW

     In establishing authority for what we do, one of the observations we make frequently is that we are not under the Old Law anymore.   Colossians 2:14 notes how Christ has taken it out of the way, “having nailed it to the cross.”    This was a major point of contention as the gospel spread during the first century.  Many of the Jewish converts wanted to keep AND BIND portions of the Old Law on others (Gentile converts).  They demanded circumcision and dietary laws be observed.   Acts 15 dealt with this attitude and determined that keeping the Old Law was not necessary.  Because it was so contentious, a major point of emphasis with many New Testament epistles going to great lengths to prove we are no longer under that law – Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and Hebrews.   And others addressed it as well.  You cannot read the New Testament without seeing that it has been done away with (completed). 

     But what would it mean if we still seek to justify our actions by the Old Law?  There are many actions that some will appeal to the Old Testament for justification.  1) Instrumental music; 2) Some say we must follow the 10 commandments; 3) The use of clergy garments to distinguish from the “laity”; 4) Sabbath day observances (by some), 5) tithing, etc. 

     When one claims to be a New Testament Christian but then appeals to the Old Testament for authority in their actions, what are some of the consequences of this?  Today I want to notice some passages of scripture in the New Testament that explain what it means when we seek to be justified by the Law of Moses.

 I.                     We are not justified

a.       To be justified means to be judicially vindicated, to be proven or made to be right in some way. 

b.       Galatians 2:16 notes that we are not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Christ Jesus.

c.        Galatians 3:11 emphasizes this also nothing that “the just shall live by faith.”   Paul’s point throughout this letter is to contrast faith in Christ with following the Old Law.  He was dealing with some of the Judaizing teachers we mentioned in our introduction AND those seeking to follow them.

d.       To appeal to the Old Law for authority may not mean you are trying to keep all of it (most today would deny they are), BUT in whatever you do appeal to the Old Law for authority, you are NOT justified in that.   That is WHY one cannot appeal to the Old Law as justification for instrumental music, priestly garments, burning incense, etc. 

e.       To be justified in God’s eyes today means we follow Christ and His laws, which includes acknowledging that the Old Law does NOT justify us today (at all). 

 II.                   We are obligated to keep the whole law

a.       We just noted that most who appeal to the Old Law for justification of certain practices do not claim to keep the whole law.    But there is a problem with this.  You are choosing to do certain things by the authority of a law you are not under.

b.       Galatians 5:3 says, And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  IF you seek justification to do anything by the Old Law, why not keep the WHOLE law?  Can we pick and choose which portions of the Old Law we want to use to justify our actions today? 
Paul concluded in this letter that establishes the completion of the LOM (Law of Moses) that if you seek your justification in one thing, you are obligated to keep the WHOLE law.   That’s the only way it is acceptable and LEGAL!

c.        His point is that the Law of Moses stands by itself.  It was a complete law for a chosen people.  We need to recognize that. In fact, in Galatians 3:19-25 clearly notes the purpose and temporary nature of the Old Law.  IF we are under faith, we are NOT under that law (e.g. a tutor).

d.       A modern example: In the US, we do not follow the laws of England, but the laws of the United States of America.  There may be many (perhaps even most) laws that are the same in both countries, but we should do what we do because we are in America and bound by her laws.  What would happen if you chose to drive like the English (on the left side of the road)?  You could not appeal that law while here.  Now in England, you follow their laws! 
IF you were in Israel of old, you could and needed to follow their laws.  But we are NOT in Israel of Old.  That law has been done away with and nailed to the cross. 

e.       Acts 15:10 – Peter acknowledged it was a yoke that even they were unable to bear.  Why appeal to that law to justify what you do today?

 III.                 Christ died in vain

a.       Galatians 2:21, I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

b.       Here Paul uses the word righteousness.  A different word (than justification) that means to be right before God (which is essentially what justification does).  Paul’s point as he explains why we are not under the Old Law is that we CANNOT be made righteous through it. 
Our righteousness comes first by God’s grace (just like justification – Romans 3:21-26), our faith (just like justification – Romans 1:17, 10:10) and our obedience to the gospel (Romans 5:16,18, Philippians 1:9).  We stand before God both righteous and justified because Christ died on the cross.

c.        HOWEVER, our text here notes that if we can be righteous by obeying the LOM, then Jesus didn’t need to die.   

d.       Can we pick and choose WHICH parts of the Old Law we are JUSTIFIED in keeping without it affecting why Jesus died?  Remember our last point, the whole law stands or falls together. 

 IV.                 Christ will profit you nothing –

a.       Galatians 5:2, Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

b.       Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:6 that we are not to think beyond what is written. 
There were Galatian Christians who were considering parts of the LOM including circumcision.  To follow that command of that law would make everything Christ had done for them “nothing”.

c.        I want us to consider this when we pick and choose which parts of God’s law to us we should keep and which ones we choose to change, by adding to or taking away from them. 

d.       When we fail to keep the whole of His law, are we really obeying Him?
Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
 James 2:10-11, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 6:46, etc. 
Consider the illustration of the farmer who gives his son several instructions and he does MOST of them.  Did he really completely obey?
We need to follow Jesus with all that we are.

 V.                   It changes what Jesus taught and why He did what He did.

a.       IF we a going to follow Jesus we will accept all that He taught.  There are many things Jesus said about the Old Law that we must consider when we pick and choose which parts of the LOM we can use to justify our actions today.

b.       Does He really have all authority? Matthew 28:18 – this comes toward the conclusion of His time here on earth.  It was a culmination of many things He taught during His life.

c.        Luke 24:44 – Jesus taught that He fulfilled that which was written about Him in all parts of the LOM

d.       Matthew 17:1-5 – “hear Him”?  What did the voice of God mean here?  Moses and Elijah (i.e. the authority of the Old Testament) were not to be heeded in this instance.

e.       Matthew 5:17-18.  Did Jesus really accomplish what He said He would do?
Did He really change the Old Law? Hebrews 8-9 deal with how He could be a priest.  It REQUIRED the LOM to be replaced.  Hebrews 9:15-17 notes that by the death of the “testator” (Jesus) the new “testament” went into force.  See also Romans 7:4 (and context).  The Old law is dead!

f.         When we appeal to the LOM as authority for what we do, what are we saying about what Jesus taught about the ending of the LOM?

 VI.                 The apostles were false teachers

a.       It is worthy of note that the apostles taught that the Old Law was no longer in force.  And that teaching came with a great price – sufferings, etc. 

b.       Just as Jesus taught the coming end to the LOM.  The apostles taught that it had come to its completion and done away with.  We have seen that in Paul’s discourses in this lesson. 

c.        Directly stated we read:

                                                   i.      Romans 7:4 – you have become dead to the law through the body of Christ

                                                 ii.      Romans 7:6 – you have been delivered from the law

                                                iii.      2 Corinthians 3:7 – Paul described it as “the ministry of death written and engraved on stones…which glory is passing away.”  He is comparing the glory of the LOM (and it was) to the glory of the “ministry of the Spirit” as superior. 

d.       1 Corinthians 15:13-15 – while dealing with the resurrection, Paul notes if there is no resurrection, then we are false witnesses because we preach there is a resurrection. 
Could that not also be said if we can appeal to the Old Law for authority today?  They clearly taught that we are NOT under the Old Law anymore.  When we say we can follow the Old Law and be fine, are we not, in those matters, saying the apostles were false teachers, or at least incomplete in their teachings.

 VII.               You have fallen from grace

a.       Galatians 5:4, You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

b.       Our final observation.  When we appeal to the Old Law for justification in what we do, we are out of favor with God.  That is why it is important that we respect His boundaries even in the smallest of matters – including HOW we worship Him, when we worship, etc.   

c.        As an aside, this verse teaches that we CAN fall from grace.  It is possible to become unfaithful and fall away from God.  If that happens our souls are in jeopardy (Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-22).

d.       It IS by the grace of God that we are saved – Ephesians 2:8-9.  We do NOT want to fall from that grace! 

 

Is the Old Testament useful to us today?  Certainly.  We have demonstrated this continually in our studies.  All scripture (which included the Old Testament) inspired of God is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and written for our learning (Romans 15:4).    We learn many things from studying it.  But it is NOT the source of our authority for how to serve God today.  To appeal to the Old Testament as authority will cause many things that a Christian should want no part of.  Let us resolve to be simply New Testament Christians – nothing more and nothing less!  Think about it.