Following The Law Of Christ

Let's talk about the Law Christians should actually be following.

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.”

-1 Corinthians 9:19-21

Should we be keeping the Sabbath?

–We are called to keep the Sabbath

–Sabbath was a typeshadow event for Jesus. (Just like sacrificing was a typeshadow)

–God rested on the 7th day

–God commands Israel to rest

–Jesus comes and declares He is LORD of the Sabbath

–We are free from work as we can rest in the finished work on the cross.

Matthew 12:8

8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Under the law

1 Corinthians 9

–Throughout the chapter Paul speaks of doing everything he can to avoid creating stumbling blocks to the Gospel of Salvation for those he is trying to reach.

–When Paul says he is free from ALL but yet made himself a servant to all to win them over.

–To the Jews he became as a Jew to win them over. This doesn’t mean he did anything to violate his Christian principles or the Gospel. For those under the law he became AS ONE under the law but makes it clear he IS NOT actually under the law.

–Acts 16:1-3 ( example with Paul taking Timothy with him for circumcision)

–Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek.

–Outside of the law referred to the Gentiles but Paul also makes it clear he is under the law of Christ which YES concerns the new convenant. Paul isn't advocating for the neglection of adhering to righteousness, or the moral law.

Law of Christ (what is it?)

–It is essentially the instruction and command Jesus delivered to believers pertaining to how we should live our lives in light of our new life.

Galatians 6:2

–2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Mark 12:29-31

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

– The entire 10 commandments fall into these 2 categories, loving God and loving your neighbor.

–The moral LAW, or 10 commandments brought death (as 2 Cor 3:7 states); however we now live according to the Spirit by faith which brings eternal life.

–The 10 commandments now point us to our need for Jesus, who can pay the penalty for our sins whereas in the past the 10 commandments exposed us and pointed us towards death by way of condemnation. Israel realized this and that was the point of the sacrifices ie atoning for sins.

Moral Law

–The first law given to man was the moral law. This law is a representation of God’s character and nature. God is good, holy, perfect and righteous. God gives the moral law to Adam.

–Adam rebels and disobeys God, breaking the moral law.

–See God cursing Cain after He slew his brother.

–God expects the moral law to be followed; see the flood with Noah.

–See God toss out Satan and the angels for breaking the moral law.

–Moses enters the scene and God essentially delivers this same Law but in the form of the 10 commandments. It’s the moral law that covers ethics in how to be in obedience to God, love God and each other.

–Later we get the ceremonial laws and judicial laws. These laws were imposed to help Israel follow the moral laws so God could keep Israel on the path to bringing about the Messiah; delivering on the promise made to Abraham.

–Jesus comes and fulfills the laws that nobody could keep. These laws were the moral laws; which is why God required a sin offering; a sacrifice.

–Jesus atones for us all, past, present and future.

Galatians 3:24-26

“So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

–The moral law, however still exists. We’re just now longer condemned by it as believers. We are now justified by grace!

Supporting verses for living righteous (following the moral law)

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, 10no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 11And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 6:1-4

What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4

Romans 6:6-7

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin.

Romans 6:15-16

15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey — either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?

The only law we’re to “attempt” to keep is the moral law. Realizing that we can’t keep it fully else that would nulllify the need for Jesus. This law is categorized as Love God and Love your neighbor which is what the 10 commandments reveal. This is the Law that Jesus emphasizes.

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