"Nothing in the Mosaic Law (as law) applies to Christians unless it is either repeated to the Church after the cross or is evident in natural law and in the conscience of all men." ~ Russell Earl Kelly, PhD.
In the Mosaic Law, there are three categories of Laws. The first sets of laws are the Ten Commandments, which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments were given as moral laws for Israel to follow. They are found in the Torah in the book of Exodus, chapter 21 through 23.
The second sets of laws are known as the “holiness” laws. These laws were also known as the ceremonial laws. They focus on the worship rituals of Israel. These set of rules are found in Leviticus chapters 17-26.
The third set of laws highlight the detailed commands given in the books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. These laws mainly focus on civil laws. Furthermore, these laws also explain the
duties of the king. These details were given in the form of a sermon from Moses, in which he also encourages the Israelites to keep the Law.
For some reason, many Christians today have been led to believe that they must be obedient to the Mosaic Law. Let’s look at a few things that are the hard, cold facts about the Law of Moses and see if Christians are really required to obey the Mosaic Law.
So, why was the Law given to Moses? Paul said, “It was given to show people how guilty they
are (Galatians 3:19). Was the Mosaic Law given to any other nation to follow? No. There was no other nation that was given the laws that Israel received that day from God (Deuteronomy 4:8;
Psalm 147:20). Was the Law given to the Heathen or Gentile nations? No. The law was given
only to the Israelites; they were God’s chosen people (Leviticus 26:46; Psalm 78:5).
All Israelites were required to know the Law (Exodus 18:16). They were expected to observe the Law (Deuteronomy 4:6). They were required to remember the Law (Malachi 4:4). They were expected to lay it up, in their hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6; 11:18). They were expected to
teach it to their children (Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19).
If you were to break any portion of the Law or disobey any one of the commandments given in the Law, then you were guilty of breaking all of the Law. The penalty or punishment for breaking any part of the Law was death without mercy (Leviticus 19:35, 36; John 8:5; 19:7; Hebrews 10:28; James 2:10).
Let’s look at a list of just a few of the ordinances that were included in the Mosaic Law.
1. Proper Use of Altars - Exodus 20
2. Fair Treatment of Slaves - Exodus 21
3. Cases of Personal Injury - Exodus 21
4. Protection of Property - Exodus 22
5. Procedures for the Burnt Offering - Leviticus 1
6. Procedures for the Grain Offering - Leviticus 2
7. Procedures for the Sin Offering - Leviticus 4
8. Nazirite Laws - Numbers 6
9. Laws concerning Offerings - Numbers 15
10. Penalty for Breaking the Sabbath - Numbers 15
11. Duties of Priests and Levites - Numbers 18
12. Support for the Priests and Levite - Numbers 18
I randomly chose the Laws just to show you the variety of the Law and the areas the Mosaic Law covers. Just think, if you broke just one of these Laws, you were guilty of breaking the
whole thing and the punishment that you would receive would be a merciless death.
Let’s see what the New Testament apostles said about this Old Testament Law given to the Israelites:
Hebrews 10:1, 9 - “The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come,
not the reality of the good things Christ has done for us. The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship.” “He [Christ] cancels the first covenant in order to establish the second (NLT).”
Galatians 3:9-12 “All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” Consequently, it is clear that no one
can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life. How different from this way of faith is the way of law, which
says, “If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands (NLT).”
Just in these two Scriptural quotes, there is a treasure trove of spiritual truths. One is that the Law of Moses was “only a shadow of things to come." "In Jesus the righteous standard of God switched from the shadow Law to the reality of Jesus Christ who personified the righteousness
of Law."
Under the old system the sacrifices “were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship.” Only having faith in Jesus can do that! Another favorite is that Jesus “cancels the first covenant in order to establish the second!” The Old Testament, which is the Law of
Moses, has been cancelled! That means, no more tithing!
The next truth I just love to ponder is that “all who put their faith in Christ share the same
blessing Abraham received because of his faith.” Wow! All we have to do is put our faith in
Christ Jesus and we have the very same blessing that God gave Abraham? Awesome! No more legalism!
Another spiritual truth that I love to bless my brothers and sisters in Christ with is that “no
one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law!” Do you know what that means? That means that you cannot be good enough to gain God’s blessings or favor. He has already blessed you with the very same blessing He gave Abraham and we receive it by having faith in Christ!
The answers are right above, but think about the difference between having faith in God and trying to obey the Law. What does it say? It says, “If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands.” Are you able to obey all of the Mosaic Laws? Do want to
be judged by the Law on Judgment Day by trying to follow it? I don’t! I want Jesus Christ as my
attorney!
Friends, if you are a Christian, then you are free from observing and obeying the Laws of
Moses. That includes the all Ten Commandments, all the Ceremonial Laws, all the civil laws and all of the other extra laws given to the Israelites under Moses. Even in the Old Testament Scriptures, the Mosaic Law was supposed to be temporary and be replaced by a better covenant made by Christ Jesus (Jeremiah 3:16; Daniel 9:27: Galatians 4:4).
Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17, 18). Those who abide by the Law
are under a curse and Jesus bore that curse for us (Galatians 3:13). That means if you follow just one little part of the Law, then you are under the curse of the Law. That’s why Jesus came, to
bear the curse for us! Now, stop trying to obey any part of the Old Law! You were never under the Law anyway, unless you are a Jew!
Galatians 5:1 - “Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (NLT).” Why are you still worshipping under the Law? We
should be worshipping in spirit and in truth!
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Galatians 5:14, NKJV).” If you have faith in Christ and love your neighbor, you are free from
the burdens of the Law of Moses and free to serve God and each other. How will the world know that we are His? By our love for each other.
Christians have the Law of God written upon their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). It's not enough to repeat this again. Christians have been freed from the bondage of the Law & freed
from the curse (Romans 6:14; 7:4,6; Gal. 3:13). Do we void the Law by having faith? No, we establish the Law of Christ, which is love and by having faith in Christ (Romans 3:31).
What you should be doing is obeying the law of Christ. The law of Christ? I thought we were under the grace and truth of God through Jesus Christ. You are, but if Christ truly lives in you then you would “share each other’s troubles and problems (Galatians 6:2).“ Loving others as we love ourselves is the Law of Christ! When we obey the Holy Spirit and chose to love others, we
fulfill "all" the Law and the Prophets!
Here is some great advice for my brothers and sisters in Christ:
“If another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” “If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.” “Be sure to do what you should.” “Don’t get tired of doing what is good.”
“Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian
brothers and sisters.” “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with
it. You will always reap what you sow." ~ Galatians 6:1-10
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"Now if anyone confronts you with Moses and his commandments, and wants to compel you to keep them, simply answer, "Go to the Jews with your Moses; I am no Jew. Do not entangle me with Moses. If I accept Moses in one respect [Paul tells the Galatians in chapter 5:3], then I am obligated to keep the entire law." For not one little period in Moses pertains to us." ~ Martin Luther, 1527
"We do not give a tithe (Numbers 18:24; Hebrews 7:5) today, as was given in the Old Testament for the Levites. In the New Testament, the Lord commands a free will offering, which is used for the saints (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). The only day upon which we are authorized to take a collection for the saints is the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)." ~ http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/20020310.htm
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