It is taught by some that the Old Testament Law is impossible to follow perfectly, therefore all are guilty of the Law deserving of eternal punishment in Hell. I do not find this teaching true. What is it that makes us guilty before God? Human rebellion called sin as brought to light by The Law of God. The Law does not fulfill the righteous requirement which is to be without sin, to be Holy and perfect as God is Holy and perfect.
The Law makes us fully aware of our sin and our sinful state; showing us our need for God’s Mercy and Grace. Salvation does not come from the Law but comes from God Himself. God consistently spoke of a Redeemer who would fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law.
God does not give us impossible standards to follow then hold us accountable to them. The Old Testament Law was very much well within the means of human accomplishment. How?
The Lord made provision for sin through the Law. What does that mean? Sin is death and the Law requires punishment by death; the shedding of blood. When someone broke a law, they would have to kill an animal. In this way God demonstrated His mercy on the people by having the animal die instead of them because of their sin. However, the blood of an animal does not fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law.
As long as people followed all the Law including the sacrifices for sin, then the people could be blameless as far as the Law is concerned, and avoid the wrath of God; but they were in bondage to follow it. As it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10 NKJV
We see that the Apostle Paul states he was blameless concerning the Law:
“concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Phil 3:6 NKJV
Also the parents of John the Baptist (and no John was not “Baptist”! ) are recorded as blameless concerning the Law:
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Luk 1:6 -NKJV
So what is the problem? God did not provide eternal life through the Law but pronounced a curse that in order to live one must follow the Law, which was a heavy burden, leaving the people to continually offer sacrifices for their sin. If the Law solved the sin problem, then people would not need to offer continual sacrifices.
The bondage of sin was physically demonstrated and the consequences of sin lived out through the Law. In this way the Law would lead people to cry out for freedom from sin, learning to hate it and would hunger and thirst for righteousness. The Law created the perfect longing for a release from the bondage of sin and death.
Animals were not created in the image of God, humans are, and mankind was given authority over the animals, therefore animals could not take away sin. All humans are born under the rebellion of Adam and Eve, therefore humans cannot take away sin. Only God Himself can take away sin.
Through the Law and prophets the people learned about a future Ruler who was to rule them with justice, salvation, and peace in an eternal Kingdom where all goodness and beauty dwell. A Ruler who comes from Heaven itself and called God’s Son: ”I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son ; today I have become your Father.” Psalms 2:7 (NIV)
The Son of God came to take away the sins of the world!! To free us from the bondage of sin and death!! His Name is Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua Hammashiach), the Salvation of God, the Anointed One. And here is the amazing thing:
“He (Jesus) condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Rom 8:3-5 NKJV
The Law was about exposing sin and death, its consequences and our desperate need for God’s Mercy and Grace. Jesus lived in this flesh without sin, suffered the wrath of God, shed His Blood, and rose from the dead, giving life and righteousness to all those who believe in Him!! Taking away sin for those who believe, so that we are no longer enslaved to sin, but live in fellowship with God through Jesus!!
We are powerless over sin and death, but Jesus has conquered these for us. Today we live in a wonderful time of salvation. As sinners trapped in rebellion against God, we cry out to Jesus desperate for Him and He will answer and give His Holy Spirit; the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and gives us power over sin and death!!
Life is only found by listening to the Spirit and allowing Him to work in our life. Through the Spirit we live without sin, being freed from the bondage of sin and death. Indeed the sacrifice of Jesus, the Perfect Lamb of God does indeed take away the sin of the world!
When temptation comes our way, we call out to Jesus and ask Him to take it away and He will. In this way, we remain in continual prayer with Him and conquer our own flesh and the influences around us through His Spirit; walking in the Spirit.
If we call ourselves Christians and in the same breath call ourselves sinners, then we make God a liar and the Cross of Jesus without effect. You cannot walk in sin and the Spirit at the same time. It’s either one or the other. It is certain that we will make mistakes and we will sin (sin not leading to death) against God and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin if we confess them to Him, but those who are born of God do not continue in bondage to sin (sin leading to death), enslaved to it which is death. As John says it:
“There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.” 1 John 5:16-17 NKJV
”Sin leading to death”; enslaved to sin example: How can I say Jesus saved me from my sin if I lust after women, watch pornography, have affairs, only think of God once a week while attending church and pursue all the things the world has to offer the rest of the time, love money, etc…? It is contradictory to say Jesus saved me from sin and yet I walk in the desires of my flesh and put them into action. You cannot serve two masters. That is like saying the lifegaurd saved me from drowning but yet I drowned….that does not make sense.
“Sin not leading to death” example: I am born of God and seek the Lord, learning day by day to follow the Spirit, living in fellowship with Jesus, but one day I rush off to work, get consummed with it and forget about God. Of course the Spirit will bring this to my attention, convict me and I confess this to the Lord, asking for forgiveness.
Seek first the Kingdom of God all these things will be added to you.
