The Law of Moses
vs.
The Law of Grace & Faith

The word "law" brings several things to mind, such as the police, lawyers, judges, government, gravity, and especially religion. Laws have several purposes. They:
When we read the written laws, we see what is called the "letter of the law." But when we understand and correctly apply laws, we experience the "spirit of the law." The two are easily confused and often abused-people sometimes use one or the other to justify their actions. For example, the "letter of the law" may not specifically prohibit a certain action. Yet the "spirit of the law" would prohibit it in principle.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are to obey the laws of the land:
Rom 13:1-7
1 Pet 2:13-17
1 Tim 2:1-2
Gal 6:1
I Cor 6:1-8
But if the laws of the land conflict with the laws of God, we obviously must choose to obey God's laws first. For example, in certain countries it is illegal to assemble to worship the "Christian God." However, one must still worship and serve God regardless. If you find yourself in such a situation where you must choose, it might be wiser just to leave the country and go somewhere you can worship freely. Or you can pursue actions to change the law, such as voting. We would not, however, advocate using violence in the Name of God to overthrow unpopular laws or governments.

Jesus had run-ins with people asking about laws. For example, on two different occassions He was asked about paying taxes (Matthew 17:24-27; Matthew 22:15-22). He replied that we should pay taxes. When He was arrested by local authorities in Matthew 26:51-52, Jesus did not respond with violence or resistance; He humbly submitted to the governing authorities and went "as a lamb to the slaughter." During His trial, Jesus told Pilate that he had no authority unless it came from God (John 19:8-11).

Jesus also had a lot to say about the Law of Moses. Study Matthew chapters 5-7, a section commonly called "the sermon on the mount." The whole sermon is Jesus' commentary of the application of the Law of Moses. Apparently, the Jews did ok at adhering to the "letter of the law," but they had truly missed the point in many things, as indicated by the "spirit of the law."

Jesus stated that He didn't come to abolish or destroy the Law of Moses. He never advocated violating it. He encouraged the Jews to obey more carefully, and His sermon is explanation of some of the main points. For example, the letter of the law said, "Thou Shalt Not Murder." The Jews took this to mean that it is ok to be mad, make threats, and maybe even harm someone as long as they did not take their life. Jesus explained the spirit and intent of the law by basically by saying that even being angry at your brother makes you guilty!

The letter of the law said, "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery." Perhaps the Jews took this mean it was ok to look, to lust, to touch, and to go so far right up to the point of committing the immoral act, so long as they did not actually commit it. Again, they had missed the intention/spirit of the law. Jesus explained that the person who lusts has already committed the deed in his heart, even if he does not actually do it. As you read the rest of the sermon, you will see that Jesus emphasized the spirit and intent of the law over the letter of the law.

On one occassion (Matt. 12:1-11), Jesus' disciples were accused of violating the Sabbath by plucking the heads of grain, rolling them in their hands, and eating them. Jesus said the the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Furthermore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. In this case, the letter of the law said one thing, yet the purpose/spirit of the law was a little different. On another occassion, (John 8:1-11), the scribes & Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus. They had caught her in the act of adultery. They said, "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?" Jesus' reply was simple yet powerful: "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Of course no one there (except Jesus) was sinless, and therefore none could rightfully accuse her. Jesus emphasized here that forgiveness is the better way.

One of Jesus' most commonly known statements is really a summary of the intent/spirit/purpose of all laws: "Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matt. 7:12)

The purpose for this discussion is to show that the Law of Moses was given for a purpose, for a certain people, and for a certain time. When that purpose for fulfilled, when those people were disbanded, and when that time had past, the Law of Moses was taken away. The life of Jesus was the summation, fulfillment, and conclusion of the Law of Moses. Everything in the Law pointed towards the coming Christ and His plan of salvation. The Law of Moses was insufficient to provide salvation, yet it was sufficient to instruct the people on their behavior and accustom them to certain morals and standards.

There are religious organizations today that teach that the Law of Moses is still binding. And yet even in their teaching, they only bind the first "Ten Commandments," omitting the greater parts of the law such as animal sacrifice, the priesthood, and various washings & holy days. This study will therefore be beneficial in helping the Christian understand the reasons the Law of Moses is no longer in effect and why it was insufficient to provide salvation.

First we will look at the Law of Moses. Then we will compare it to the better law of grace/faith given by Jesus through the Apostles & Prophets of the New Testament.

Why was Law of Moses given? What did the Law accomplish?
What were the weak points in the Law?
What about this Law of Faith/Grace?
As you can clearly see, the Scriptures draw a distinct difference between the "old covenant" of Moses and the "new covenant" of Christ. Read Hebrews 10:19-25 for God's conclusion to the change in law.


written by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible.

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