Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Role of the 'LAW" for the New Covenant Christian 3


The Role of the 'LAW" for the New Covenant Christian 3
Brad Reiches
Apr 18 2007 10:28AM


Wednesday, April 18, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"The Role of the LAW!"
For the New Covenant Christian

3

"Whatever was written in earlier times (Old Testament),
was written for our (New Testament believers) instruction."
Romans 15:4

B.  There is definitely a right way, and a wrong way to understand the role of the Law in New Covenant Christianity.

While it is absolutely true that "we are no longer under the Law...," it is both ignorant and unbiblical to think/believe/teach that a lifestyle of righteousness is any less important to the New Covenant Christian.  Jesus said,

"Do not think that I came to abolish
the Law or the prophets; I did not come
to abolish, but to fulfill."
Matthew 5:17

Practically speaking, the Law still serves a very important role in that "Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (see  Romans 3:20) and the subsequent understanding of our need of a Savior from that sin.  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

THE PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD & NEW COVENANTS IS THIS:

OLD COVENANT:  A right relationship with God was maintained by keeping the Law and making sacrifices to God when the Law was broken.  Results:

"By the works of the Law no flesh will
be justified (made right) in His sight."
Romans 3:20

NEW COVENANT:  A right relationship with God is maintained by faith (belief/putting your trust in) in Jesus Christ.  Since intimacy with a holy God is always hindered when we sin, acknowledgement (confession) of our sin and repentance is required to remain in right relationship with Him.

"A man is justified by faith..."
Romans 3:28

AMEN!  But we must NEVER FORGET that the very same God, through the very same author, in the very same chapter, also said the following:

"Do we then nullify the Law through faith?
May it never be!  On the contrary we establish the Law."
Romans 3:31

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