We people of the New Testament have a weird relationship to the Old. Do we obey it or not? We avoid murder but approve eating shrimp and pork? We ignore dietary laws, but honor the BIG TEN? If so, why do we shrug off adultery? And why do we disregard the Sabbath?
Some treat the law like that uncle from overseas with broken English who always wears black. He never smiles and never approves—but that’s okay because Mom says ‘go ride your bikes and ignore him.’ He considers sports a prodigal waste of time. He’s not cool or savvy to any of the things the kids and their friends consider important. He’s just a grumpy old man from the old country.
What a perversion of God’s Word! It is true that the Bible refers to the law as a “ministry of death” (2 Corinthians 3:7) and as a curse: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us…” Galatians 3:13. But the law is a BEAUTIFUL thing. Consider the size of the Old Testament. We should not pretend two thirds of the Bible is irrelevant.
“The law became our teacher, to lead us to Christ” Galatians 3:24. THAT is the New Testament purpose of the law—it reveals our sin and need for a Savior. But the law also served an incredible purpose before Christ: God’s law contained principles that taught the nations how to have a good civilization, an effective legal system, a free market, and a democratic government. The entire world is better off because of the law handed down through Moses.
“When other nations hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’ For what … great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?” Deuteronomy 4:6-8.
Dear God, thank you for the Old Testament. Help us better understand its message. Deliver us from the view that would ignore the Old Testament out of ignorance and laziness.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 