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Is The Law of Moses Applicable to Believers? 

Is The Law of Moses Applicable to Believers? 

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No. This question caused more controversy than any other doctrinal area in the New Testament. Judaizers were constantly insisting that Christians submit to the ordinances of the Jewish law in order to be saved. This included not only observing the Sabbath, but physical circumcision and dietary restrictions. In Christ these requirements are all done away with, and all reliance is put upon Him to save us. 

Historically this question was settled at the Council of Jerusalem once for all. 

After Paul and Barnabas had reported notable success preaching among the Gentiles, certain leaders became concerned that these Gentile converts conform to the law of Moses. Controversy continued until the apostles all met together. Finally James became the spokesman voicing the direction of God when he said:  

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day (Acts 15:19-21).  

Those who keep the law place themselves under a curse if they fail to keep all of it. 

The law is a whole system in itself. You cannot decide to do some of the commandments and neglect others. The blessings and the curses of the law depended on submission to the total Mosaic covenant.  

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them (Galatians 3:10).  

Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen (Deuteronomy 27:26).  

Men fall from grace when they attempt to follow both the law and the gospel. 

God will tolerate no mixtures. It is either grace or law. You can add nothing to grace. The urge to add works to grace usually comes from inadequate trust and lack of assurance.  

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace (Galatians 5:3, 4).  

 Jesus clearly defined the works of God as believing or relying upon Him.

Then said they unto him. What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent (John 6:28, 29).  

 Faith works by a love that only God can give to us. 

The law is summarized in the one word “love.” Some of the Church Fathers sought to make love the work that justified, but this cannot be for the one simple reason that man cannot love God or others, apart from the gracious working of the Holy Spirit within him. Love is a fruit of our union with God. It is an outworking of the new relationship we enter into by faith.  

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6).  

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:5). 

 

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