The Law of Moses vs. The Law of Christ
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One day I was driving from Colorado to Oklahoma, when suddenly, as I arrived in Oklahoma, I was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman for speeding. I told the patrolman that he didn't understand — I was no longer in Colorado, where the speed limit is 55 mph. The patrolman shook his head and said, "Sir, you are not in Colorado, but I would like to inform you that the Oklahoma speed limit is also 55 mph. They are the same." There are some laws, however, that are different in Colorado than in Oklahoma.
Technically, as believers, we are not under the law of Moses, but under grace (or the law of Christ). Yet the Apostle Paul quotes the Old Testament (law of Moses) probably one third of the time in his New Testament writings (law of Christ). Why? It's because under both the law and Christ, many of the same principles of righteousness apply. For example, the law of Moses says, "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15), and the law of Christ says, "Let him that stole steal no more" (Ephesians 4:28). The principles remain the same. Other examples would be, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3 — the law of Moses) and "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21 — the law of Christ); "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14 — the law of Moses) and "Flee fornication [sexual sin including adultery]" (1 Corinthians 6:18 — the law of Christ).
As New Testament believers, we are not under the law (Moses) but under grace (Christ — Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace"). Under the law (Moses), the penalty of our transgressions (breaking the law) was death (Ezekiel 18:20), which results in a person perishing. By not being under the law of Moses but under grace (the law of Christ), if we do violate a principle of God, we don't get the death penalty and perish. The Apostle Paul says, "where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20 — NIV). Under grace, we are responding to a person — Christ Himself. Under the law, we are responding to the rules. Think about this the next time your flesh wants to do its own thing. My response is not to a set of rules, but to the gracious and loving Savior who laid down His life for me at Calvary.
If we can help you, please contact us.
Technically, as believers, we are not under the law of Moses, but under grace (or the law of Christ). Yet the Apostle Paul quotes the Old Testament (law of Moses) probably one third of the time in his New Testament writings (law of Christ). Why? It's because under both the law and Christ, many of the same principles of righteousness apply. For example, the law of Moses says, "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15), and the law of Christ says, "Let him that stole steal no more" (Ephesians 4:28). The principles remain the same. Other examples would be, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3 — the law of Moses) and "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21 — the law of Christ); "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14 — the law of Moses) and "Flee fornication [sexual sin including adultery]" (1 Corinthians 6:18 — the law of Christ).
As New Testament believers, we are not under the law (Moses) but under grace (Christ — Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace"). Under the law (Moses), the penalty of our transgressions (breaking the law) was death (Ezekiel 18:20), which results in a person perishing. By not being under the law of Moses but under grace (the law of Christ), if we do violate a principle of God, we don't get the death penalty and perish. The Apostle Paul says, "where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20 — NIV). Under grace, we are responding to a person — Christ Himself. Under the law, we are responding to the rules. Think about this the next time your flesh wants to do its own thing. My response is not to a set of rules, but to the gracious and loving Savior who laid down His life for me at Calvary.
If we can help you, please contact us.