Following Judah's Lion

The Law Misplaced

I am well aware that everything is doctrine to a certain extent. Nothing is learned without teaching. But there are some believers who thrive on doctrine, all doctrine, and who hold it in such high esteem as to make it an idol. And if we are to understand the difference between holding fast to doctrinal truth and replacing Christ with doctrinal truth, then we must discipline our minds to a more sophisticated and nuanced observation. This is not for the Biblically illiterate, or the spiritually lethargic, or even the doctrinal Bourgeoisie who insist they have arrived. This is for those who seek the face of Christ and desire to be completely broken before Him in unabashed humility.
Picture Jesus sitting upon a pedestal. And this pedestal sits atop a scaffold of interconnected truths, which are all designed to construct the pedestal upon which the Lord Jesus might be raised in all His glory. Of course the top platform of the pedestal is shared by the Father and the Spirit. But the scaffolding itself was never meant to be the object of worship, nor was it designed for us to rest in as a spiritual oasis. The purpose of the scaffolding was to glorify Christ, and its design was always Christ exalting.
As a primary example, let us examine the role of the Mosaic Law as it pertains to the New Testament revelation of Christ and His gospel.
Gal.3:24 - Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
The word “schoolmaster” is “Paidagwgovß” in the Greek.
Paidagwgovß: a guardian and guide of boys. Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.
The Paidagwgovß was a trusted slave in many Greek and Roman households. He was so trusted that his value was to oversee the lives of the male children. And one of the duties of this servant was to take the boys to their teachers safely and faithfully. It was there that they would acquire the education they needed including the learning of their particular theology. But when the male children reached maturity, the Paidagwgovß was no longer needed.
But in many evangelical circles, preachers continue to preach the Mosaic Law as pertinent to the Christian faith. It is not. After the death and resurrection of the Son of God, the law was to be “done away with”.
II Cor.3:5-11 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
Now what do the words “done away” mean to you? In the Book of Acts the apostles and disciples preached Christ, his death and resurrection, not some amalgam of the Mosaic Law. In fact, Paul’s life was always in jeopardy because the Jews accused him of forsaking the Mosaic Law and encouraging others to do likewise.
But man’s fallen nature loves law. Why? Because following some law leads to self righteousness and the bondage of the flesh. The Pharisees were a direct product of the Mosaic Law, and in their blind self righteousness they failed to see Christ. And so it is today. But today some attempt to marry the law to Christ. Sabbaths, and holy days, and baptisms, and food regulations, are only a few of the ways in which some churches embrace the law.
Rom.8:1-4 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The law condemns while the Spirit gives life. Paul tells us that gentiles, who never embraced the Mosaic Law, are a law in themselves. And if the law was meant for evangelism, why was the Holy Spirit sent to convince the world of sin? Look at verse two. The Mosaic Law was death and to those who know the Son and walk after the Spirit, we are free from the law. Why do some wear the law as some sort of moral talisman? Is Christ not all sufficient? I emphasize once more:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
You do not attach a corpse to a new born infant! Does that mean we are free to sin? Paul says, “God forbid!” But when we sin we are no longer law breakers, but disobedient children. I have used the illustration before. I tell my son not to go into the shed in the back yard. One day I discover he has entered the shed. I confront him and he admits his guilt. He is punished.
But one day the kid down the block jumps my fence and goes into my shed. I look out and see someone in my shed and I call the police. Why do I call the police on the kid down the block but I don’t call them on my son? Because he is my SON! He is not a stranger. He has a covenant with me, and in fact he is my flesh and blood. You see? Those who embrace the Mosaic law diminish the sonship we have with our Father.
Picture a man with a brown paper bag. Inside of this bag is one million dollars. One day the paper bag bursts and the million dollars comes spilling out. The man is exhilarated and dumbfounded. He picks up the millions dollars and begins to loudly rejoice. But before he goes to tell others he insists in preserving the ripped up brown paper bag. And when he tells his family about his good fortune, he shows them the million dollars but insists they also look at and admire the torn up paper bag.
Beloved, our motivation for living a holy life of service to Christ must never be the law. For as Paul observed, The love of Christ constrains me. Oh the freedom that is in Christ! The law was a schoolmaster to pre-illuminate the coming Savior. The blood sacrifice was a picture of Calvary, but when the substance arrives the shadow disappears. That is why we no longer sacrifice animals. Christ died once for the sins of the world! Halleluiah, what a Savior!