Law & Gospel: Is the Church's Conventional Approach Adequate?

Previously, I left you to reflect on how you might communicate the Gospel from the Old Testament Law. But, before delving into a process for doing so, it is essential that we address an obvious obstacle - why does the thought of discovering Jesus in the Law induce so much apprehension? Has standard methods of Christian teaching conditioned believers to be hesitant when presented with such an idea?

Let's begin by honestly exploring the perspective you bring to reading the Law, be it through your personal beliefs, teachings you've encountered in the Church or any other source.

When you read the words "Old Testament Law" - what types of thoughts float in your head? Which emotions stir within you? Whatever they are - make a quick mental note or write them down before moving on.

When I started this journey several years ago, my list looked something like this…

• The Law is oddly specific

• The Law is intense and, in some cases, cruel

• The Law comes across as controlling and unforgiving

• The Law is confusing

• I don't enjoy reading the Law

• I find no comfort in the Law

• The Law is unnecessary for Christians

I'd wager that most of you drafted a list somewhat similar to mine. The obvious question, again, is why? Why do so many of us carry such dull or even negative thoughts about the Law?

Unfortunately, many of the confused perspectives are a consequence of a gap in discipleship. Instead of helping people build a Biblical foundation for their beliefs, the Church has routinely offered one-line answers to critical theological questions about the role of the Mosaic Law. For example, some of the most common Church answers to such inquiries are: “Well you are not saved by the Law, only by grace through faith in Jesus” and “Jesus was the perfect fulfillment of the Law”. Don't get me wrong, these are good, Orthodox Christian teachings! But stripped from a context of discipleship, they are hollow.

The result: the average Christian sees the Law and the Gospel in conflict. In this manner, many Christians are left either viewing the Law as something that can be disregarded, or as something to be avoided entirely. Both understandings are detrimental in their own way, because this is not the message that Scripture tells us.

Yes, it is true that we can only receive salvation through faith in Jesus! Yes, Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the Law! However, as a dear friend once said to me: we must remember that Jesus did not call us to make believers. Jesus called us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). That means we must walk with people beyond belief and help them grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.

For most of my faith journey, the discipleship piece was missing, adding to my profound confusion about how the Old Testament Law could have anything to do with Jesus.

What if I could show you that the confusion and doubts you wrote down about the Law do not reflect the state of your heart as a follower of Christ in the New Covenant? What if I could demonstrate that you actually love the Law and seek to follow it because you are a follower of Jesus?

Imagine yourself standing at the crossroads of a difficult life situation, with various options stretching out in front of you like an intricate maze. Your mind races, each path leading to a different unknown destination. You're unsure about where God wants you to go but you are desperately wanting to make the right choice.

I remember being in a similar state of mind a few years ago, wishing that if I had left my journal on my desk overnight and returned in the morning, maybe God Himself would have written down answers to all my questions and provided direction with perfect clarity.

Although my journal and pen remained untouched by God's hand the following morning, I learned something incredibly valuable. I realized that I had an inner longing to live in a particular manner that set me apart as a follower of Jesus. The reality was that I was yearning to live in accordance with the heart of God.

In other words, I had a Spirit-given desire for a holiness code.

I know you are probably thinking, "what does that have to do with the Law?"

Well, the Old Testament Law is a holiness code. The Law instructed ancient Israel on how to be set apart and devoted to God in all aspects of life.

Naturally, there are some differences between the historical Law code of ancient Israel and the holiness code that is on our hearts. However, they are not entirely alien to one another or in a state of conflict.

That is because God never intended on giving Israel the Law for the sake of them having a list of rules. God did not want Israel to grow in relationship to a Law code. He wanted them to grow in relationship to Himself.

The Psalmist provides a great example of this…

Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your law!

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts

that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

Give me understanding so that I may keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

Your hands made me, and formed me;

give me understanding to learn your commands.

Psalm 119:18, 27, 34, 73

Notice, the Psalmist was not entreating God for the power to simply obey, or keep the Law. Instead, he asked for knowledge and understanding - to learn why the Laws were given. The Psalmist wanted to know God's heart behind the Law.

This illustrates an important message: The Law was not designed to dictate obedience, but to guide the follower of God towards an understanding of His heart and holiness. This is true for historical Israel, and it is true for the modern follower of Christ.

If the purpose of the Law was only to follow a set of rules, then it would have no place with faith in Jesus. Yet, the Old and New Testaments teach us that the Law plays a significant role in the New Covenant. The Law is not simply an external code, but one that is written on our hearts!

"The days are coming" declares the LORD,

"When I will make a new covenant

With the people of Israel

And with the people of Judah

It will not be like the covenant

I made with their ancestors

When I took them by the hand

to lead them out of Egypt

Because they broke my covenant,

Though I was a husband to them" declares the LORD.

"This is the covenant I will make with the people, Of Israel

After that time," declares the LORD

"I will put my Law in their minds

And write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,

And they will be my people."

Jeremiah 31: 31-33

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:3-6

Until four or five years ago, I had no idea the Law was a part of the New Covenant. The churches I attended growing up denounced and, in some cases, demonized the Law. My questions about how to reconcile the Law with my faith in Jesus were largely ignored. It wasn't until I began to be seriously engaged in my current Church community that I found a welcoming place to wrestle with and investigate those questions in Scripture.

I understand the intent of the Church to teach that we are not saved by doing the Law. We are only saved by faith in Jesus - and I 100% agree. But the larger faith community can no longer overlook the importance of walking with people in the Word, as it has resulted in confusion and disunity in the understanding of Scripture. The Bible is clear that when we have faith in Jesus and receive the Spirit of the living God, He writes the Law on our hearts. That is how the Spirit guides us to holiness, allowing us to experience genuine transformation and new life. In this sense, the Law is part of the Good News!!!

The next post will examine particular elements of the historical Law Code for Israel and how to discern which Laws still apply to Christians today. But for now, I encourage you to sit with the Spirit, reading the passages referenced above and then reflect on the following questions:

• How does the concept of a "holiness code" resonate with me? Do I see value in having principles to live by that set me apart as a follower of Jesus?

• Throughout history, God has consistently provided His people with instructions on how to live. What does this fact reveal to me about the heart of God?

• What effect does the understanding that the Law is inscribed in my heart have on my perceptions and feelings towards the Old Testament Law?

• How has discipleship played a role in my spiritual journey, and how do I think it can contribute to a better understanding of the Word of God?