What is the law of Moses?
During these times there has been a great
controversy over whether followers of Christ Jesus
(Almighty Yahushua Hamashiach) are to adhere to
the 600 and something laws that was given through
Moses for the Israelites to follow during ancient times.
According to a consensus of scholars, Moses
received the torah and gave it to the Israelites
traditionally translated ‘law’. ( Read Exodus 20 and
Deuteronomy 5). The law according to the ancient
Hebrews is the first five books of Moses and the rest
of the old testament was referred to as “the
prophets”. I will end this section with this scripture as
case in point. Matthew 5:17 Christ Jesus states “Do
not think that I have come to abolish the law or the
prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them.”
Should we place ourselves under the law as believers?
The answer to the above question is absolutely
not and anyone who is preaching that you should do
so is sadly mistaken and is leading their flock towards
the wrath of God. What is the law you may argue,
well there is numerous scripture verses that point to
the 613 laws adhered by orthodox jews. For example,
Hebrews chapter 10 verse 28 says “He that despised
Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses:” , this is a reference to the 613 laws and
the apostle uses the term “the law”. Ephesians
chapter 2 verse 15 it says “Having abolished in his
flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, so making peace;” the
terminology used in this verse differentiates
the law from the ten commandments written on the
tablets and clearly puts an end to the law still being
something to follow , this verse states Christ has
abolished the law. Abolish means to do away with
permanently. To bring it all together lets look at the
letter to the Galatians chapter 3 verse 10. It is written
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a
curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does
not continue to do everything written in the Book of
the Law.” So a curse is upon all who place
themselves under the law, because to fail at keeping
even the least of the law condemns you the same as
if you failed at keeping any. Going into the next verse
of Galatians 3 verse 11 you will read “Clearly no one
who relies on the law is justified before God, because
“the righteous will live by faith.” So what is faith? Well
Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 states that “Now faith is
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.” I can simply explain the meaning of
this by stating faith is the belief that there is a God
even though we have not seen him. And though we
have not seen him the evidence that there is a God is
all around us through his creation. Romans chapter 1
verse 20 states “For the invisible things of him from
the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without
excuse.” So faith is belief. Hebrews chapter 11 verse
6 reads “But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.” So it is your faith as a believer that bless
you with the gifts of God. Those gifts entail salvation,
eternal life, the Holy spirit, being covered in the
righteousness of God through Jesus Christ, which
takes you from being unclean to pleasing and holy to
God.
If we are not under the law then why did Jesus say? “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
The above scripture (John chapter 14 verse
15) is commonly quoted as a way to defend the
position that we are to continue to obey the laws of
Moses. This is causing much division and confusion
amongst believers. But the scriptures warn us that
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of
peace, as in all churches of the saints.” So let us
bind and abolish this confusion now by the power of
the Holy spirit in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ. In
response to the above question I would state that the
commandments he refers to is summed up best in
Matthew chapter 19 verses 16-30. Jesus is asked by
a rich man what does he need to do to have eternal
life. This language is very important , because the
point of the coming of Jesus is to save of us from
perishing and to give us eternal life (John chapter 3
verse 16 and see also John chapter 3 verse 36). So
the rich man is showing that he clearly believes in
Jesus Christ as we are instructed to do and he wants
to know now what must he do action wise to reap the
benefit of his faith in him. I know many Pharisees and
Sadducees will be quick to object to my above
statement, by saying it is not by works that we are
saved, but by grace and I would agree. I would also
add that with being saved comes a changing from a
sinner to a saint. If you continue to willfully sin
after being saved then you are in danger of the wrath
of God. However, that is another topic for another
time. So I will express that we are to judge a tree by
its fruit. Matthew 17 verse 15, states “Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth
evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.” All who receive salvation through Christ Jesus
are called to be holy and perfect.(Matthew 5:48, 1
Peter 1:16). Romans chapter 12 verse 1, expresses
this the best when the apostle states, “Therefore, I
urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship.” This brings me back to Matthew 19;
how should a believer conduct themselves who
seeks eternal life? Jesus told the rich man “but if thou
wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith
unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no
murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy
father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.” These amongst other things
Jesus instructed those who follow him to do. And out
of all the apostles who wrote and gave witness to the
life of Christ Jesus , none of them have ever quoted
Jesus as ever instructing someone to keep any of the
613 laws. His instructions to the rich man is clearly
derived from the ten commandments written on the
tablets that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai.
The Key
It is not your work (will) that makes you holy but
submission to Christ Jesus and the work of the Holy
spirit in you that changes you to a new person in
Christ and through this process you begin to bear
good fruit. The key to the start of this process is in the
wisdom given by Christ Jesus that the summary of all
law is in these two precepts.“‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind.’ This is the first and greatest
commandment; the second ‘love your
neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments.” By truly doing
these two things you will keep all his commandments
by the will of the Holy spirit . If you love God with all
your heart, you will not worship any other God , you
will not have any idols, you will not practice any
witchcraft, sorcery, try to contact the dead. You will
not blasphemy him and you will sanctify his name. I
can go on and on. And if you love your neighbor as
yourself you will not commit murder, adultery, nor will
you bear false witness, steal and commit other acts
that will harm another human because you will
operate by treating others the way you would like to
be treated. We keep the Sabbath by honoring the lord
of the Sabbath (Jesus Christ) by resting in him from
the works of the Law, which is Gods grace. Blessed
are you o Lord who has fulfilled all the law through
Yahushua Hamashiach ( Almighty Jesus Christ) and
covered us with his righteousness.
