I have some great news for you. The New Covenant says you died on the cross with Christ to all religious rule-keeping including the law. God removed from you all
The Purpose of the 10 Commandments for Today?
Several years ago, a friend introduced me to the writings of a modern-day evangelist who used the 10 Commandments as a tool for leading people to faith in Jesus Christ.
Christians Have Something Better Than The 10 Commandments
I have some great news for you. The New Covenant says you died on the cross with Christ to all religious rule-keeping including the law. God removed from you all
Are the 10 Commandments for Christians?
Are Christians supposed to obey the 10 Commandments? This question is such a touchy subject that it’s important to understand what God says in the Bible. Let’s start by looking
Objections to Our Freedom from the Law
Occasionally, someone challenges me when I teach that under the New Covenant, Christians are not obligated to keep the 10 Commandments. I appreciate their honesty and prefer that response, rather than automatically dismissing what Grace Life International and I teach. It provides an opportunity for dialogue so we can reason together with Scripture. Here are a few of the challenges I have received and my responses using Scripture.
1. Christians need the Law to show us our sins.
2. The Law helps Christians sin less.
3. The Law can’t save us but we need the Law to sanctify us.
We Died to the Law
The moment you die you will no longer have to pay taxes because your death frees you from the tax law. In the same way, when your old nature died with Christ on the cross, you were freed from the Old Covenant Law so that your new nature could be united to Christ instead. “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4 (NIV) Having Jesus is so much better than having the Law!
The Law Was a Shadow
When I come home late at night from speaking, sometimes my wife sees my shadow first. If she gets in the floor to hug my shadow, I’m calling 911! The shadow tells her I am coming in. The Law was a shadow according to Hebrews 10:1, telling us that Jesus was coming. “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming…” (NIV) Don’t hug the shadow. Hug Jesus!
The Law Is Not For Righteous People
The only righteous people in the world are those in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) As a consequence, we don’t need the Law. “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous…” (1 Timothy 1:9)
The Law’s Purpose
- To Show Unbelievers their Sins “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 5:20 NIV)
- To Prepare Unbelievers for Salvation “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”(Galatians 3:24-25 NASB)
The Law Cannot Sanctify Us
To sanctify means to grow spiritually. For those who say the Law is not needed to justify us but it is needed to sanctify us, meditate on this verse written for believers.“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14 NIV) To deepen it’s meaning, let’s read it backwards. “For sin shall be your master, because you are not under grace but under law”. Spiritual growth is a result of living under grace not law!
The Law Provides No Power to Live a Righteous Life
Many don’t realize Paul was writing about how he came to the end of himself by using the law to try to live a righteous life in Romans 7:15-25. That is why he said in verse 15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” What we see in our counseling at GLI is that victory over sin for Christians increases dramatically when they live by grace instead of the Law!
Our identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit has replaced the Law. (Hebrews 10:16, Romans 7:6) All of the New Covenant in Scripture exhorts us to understand this and to live in a way consistent with it. This is how we live an “inside out life” by faith, which pleases God.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel!
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
Answering Objections to Our Freedom from the Law
Occasionally, someone challenges me when I teach that under the New Covenant, Christians are not obligated to keep the 10 Commandments. I appreciate their honesty and prefer that response, rather than automatically dismissing what Grace Life International and I teach. It provides an opportunity for dialogue so we can reason together with Scripture. Here are a few of the challenges I have received and my responses using Scripture.
1. Christians need the Law to show us our sins.
2. The Law helps Christians sin less.
3. The Law can’t save us but we need the Law to sanctify us.
We Died to the Law
The moment you die you will no longer have to pay taxes because your death frees you from the tax law. In the same way, when your old nature died with Christ on the cross, you were freed from the Old Covenant Law so that your new nature could be united to Christ instead. “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4 (NIV) Having Jesus is so much better than having the Law!
The Law Was a Shadow
When I come home late at night from speaking, sometimes my wife sees my shadow first. If she gets in the floor to hug my shadow, I’m calling 911! The shadow tells her I am coming in. The Law was a shadow according to Hebrews 10:1, telling us that Jesus was coming. “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming…” (NIV) Don’t hug the shadow. Hug Jesus!
The Law Is Not For Righteous People
The only righteous people in the world are those in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) As a consequence, we don’t need the Law. “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous…” (1 Timothy 1:9)
The Law’s Purpose
- To Show Unbelievers their Sins “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 5:20 NIV)
- To Prepare Unbelievers for Salvation “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”(Galatians 3:24-25 NASB)
The Law Cannot Sanctify Us
To sanctify means to grow spiritually. For those who say the Law is not needed to justify us but it is needed to sanctify us, meditate on this verse written for believers.“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14 NIV) To deepen it’s meaning, let’s read it backwards. “For sin shall be your master, because you are not under grace but under law”. Spiritual growth is a result of living under grace not law!
The Law Provides No Power to Live a Righteous Life
Many don’t realize Paul was writing about how he came to the end of himself by using the law to try to live a righteous life in Romans 7:15-25. That is why he said in verse 15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” What we see in our counseling at GLI is that victory over sin for Christians increases dramatically when they live by grace instead of the Law!
Our identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit has replaced the Law. (Hebrews 10:16, Romans 7:6) All of the New Covenant in Scripture exhorts us to understand this and to live in a way consistent with it. This is how we live an “inside out life” by faith, which pleases God.
Believe it! It’s the Gospel!
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
How the New Covenant Trumps the Old Covenant
Many years ago, when on the staff of a large church, I was caught off guard one day in the work room by the Church Receptionist. She quizzed me about my relationship with Ellen Taylor, a well-known girl in the church. We were secretly dating because I was the Youth Minister. So, we were trying to keep it under wraps. Though I tried to to play it off, the Receptionist realized something was up because she said, “You talk about her differently than anyone else”.
I’m so glad God forgave me for lying that day because though I denied we were dating, I was caught! Yet, my entire demeanor changed when I spoke of her. I just could not hide the love and joy I felt when I talked about Ellen Taylor, compared to other people. My face lit up every time I spoke about her.
When you and I talk about Jesus and the New Covenant, people may very well notice that we light up too. Why? Because through The New Covenant, He transforms us so much more than the Old Covenant every could! I think you will appreciate more of what I mean as we compare the two.
|
Old Covenant
(Also referred to as the
Mosaic or Law Covenant)
|
New Covenant
(Also referred to as the
Grace Covenant)
|
|
God related to Israel as their King , Father and Husband
1 Samuel 8:7; Deuteronomy 32:6, Jeremiah 31:31-32
Binding Vows: God promised that He would do His part as long as Israel did their part. Deuteronomy 28
|
God relates to you as your King, Father and Husband.
1Timothy 1:17; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 5: 21-22
Binding Vows: God has promised that He would do His part and your part. He continues to do your part as you rely on Jesus to live in and through you. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Galatians 2:20
|
|
Responsibilities: The 10 Commandments were written by God on tablets of stone.
Exodus 22
|
Responsibilities: God wrote His law on your heart. This gave you your identity in Christ. Hebrews 10:16
|
|
Blessings:
…Were given by God based
on one condition – their obedience. Deuteronomy 28 (1/5 of the chapter is blessings; 4/5 is curses.)
…God was in the Tabernacle
and later the Temple. Each Jew
could get close to God only once
a year, Yom Kippur, when he or
she was represented by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies. Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16
…God lived near Israel in the
Holy of Holies. Leviticus 16:2
…God gave temporary
forgiveness based on their
most recent sacrifice. Leviticus
|
Blessings:
…God blessed you with all your blessings in Christ the moment you believed. The only condition is faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, 2:7-8 (No curses under The New Covenant!)
…God is in you and you can’t get any closer to God than that! Galatians 2:20
…God lives very much at home in your spirit, the new Holy of Holies. 1Corinthians 6:17 and 19.
…God gave you eternal forgiveness for your past, present and future sins, based on Jesus’ sacrifice. Colossians 2:13
|
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
The sacrificial system was the continuous
“cutting of the covenant”. It was also a constant reminder of their sins. Hebrews 9:18-20
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
This covenant was “cut” by the death of Jesus Christ that you “walked into” with God. Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20
|
|
The Covenant Meal: The Passover Exodus 12
|
The Covenant Meal: The Lord’s Supper. (Some know it as Communion or the Eucharist). Matthew 26:27
|
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Circumcision for men only (the ladies said,”Hallelujah”) which covered their
entire family. Leviticus 12:2-3
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Baptism for each individual including men as well as women. Acts 10
|
Are you beginning to understand how much better the New Covenant is compared to the Old Covenant? “Thank you God for Your New Covenant that You have so richly provided for us in Christ! What good news!”
“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.” Hebrew 6:6 NIV
Believe it! It’s the Gospel!
Live free in Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
How the New Covenant Trumps the Old Covenant
Many years ago, when on the staff of a large church, I was caught off guard one day in the work room by the Church Receptionist. She quizzed me about my relationship with Ellen Taylor, a well-known girl in the church. We were secretly dating because I was the Youth Minister. So, we were trying to keep it under wraps. Though I tried to to play it off, the Receptionist realized something was up because she said, “You talk about her differently than anyone else”.
I’m so glad God forgave me for lying that day because though I denied we were dating, I was caught! Yet, my entire demeanor changed when I spoke of her. I just could not hide the love and joy I felt when I talked about Ellen Taylor, compared to other people. My face lit up every time I spoke about her.
When you and I talk about Jesus and the New Covenant, people may very well notice that we light up too. Why? Because through The New Covenant, He transforms us so much more than the Old Covenant every could! I think you will appreciate more of what I mean as we compare the two.
|
Old Covenant
(Also referred to as the
Mosaic or Law Covenant)
|
New Covenant
(Also referred to as the
Grace Covenant)
|
|
God related to Israel as their King , Father and Husband
1 Samuel 8:7; Deuteronomy 32:6, Jeremiah 31:31-32
Binding Vows: God promised that He would do His part as long as Israel did their part. Deuteronomy 28
|
God relates to you as your King, Father and Husband.
1Timothy 1:17; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 5: 21-22
Binding Vows: God has promised that He would do His part and your part. He continues to do your part as you rely on Jesus to live in and through you. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Galatians 2:20
|
|
Responsibilities: The 10 Commandments were written by God on tablets of stone.
Exodus 22
|
Responsibilities: God wrote His law on your heart. This gave you your identity in Christ. Hebrews 10:16
|
|
Blessings:
…Were given by God based
on one condition – their obedience. Deuteronomy 28 (1/5 of the chapter is blessings; 4/5 is curses.)
…God was in the Tabernacle
and later the Temple. Each Jew
could get close to God only once
a year, Yom Kippur, when he or
she was represented by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies. Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16
…God lived near Israel in the
Holy of Holies. Leviticus 16:2
…God gave temporary
forgiveness based on their
most recent sacrifice. Leviticus
|
Blessings:
…God blessed you with all your blessings in Christ the moment you believed. The only condition is faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, 2:7-8 (No curses under The New Covenant!)
…God is in you and you can’t get any closer to God than that! Galatians 2:20
…God lives very much at home in your spirit, the new Holy of Holies. 1Corinthians 6:17 and 19.
…God gave you eternal forgiveness for your past, present and future sins, based on Jesus’ sacrifice. Colossians 2:13
|
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
The sacrificial system was the continuous
“cutting of the covenant”. It was also a constant reminder of their sins. Hebrews 9:18-20
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
This covenant was “cut” by the death of Jesus Christ that you “walked into” with God. Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20
|
|
The Covenant Meal: The Passover Exodus 12
|
The Covenant Meal: The Lord’s Supper. (Some know it as Communion or the Eucharist). Matthew 26:27
|
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Circumcision for men only (the ladies said,”Hallelujah”) which covered their
entire family. Leviticus 12:2-3
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Baptism for each individual including men as well as women. Acts 10
|
Are you beginning to understand how much better the New Covenant is compared to the Old Covenant? “Thank you God for Your New Covenant that You have so richly provided for us in Christ! What good news!”
“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.” Hebrew 6:6 NIV
Believe it! It’s the Gospel!
Live free in Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
