Did Jesus abolish the Law or not?

[Chad]

Did Jesus abolish the Law or not?

<!-- start main content --> Matthew 5:17 and Ephesians 2:14-15

1. No. (Matt. 5:17), "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill."
2. Yes. (Eph. 2:14-15), "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace."

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus is speaking about the Old Testament principles and authority of rule and revelation. When Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law, He came to establish it and demonstrate how it pointed to Him and how He would live it perfectly.

In Eph. 2:14-15, Paul is speaking about how the gentiles who were called the uncircumcision (v. 11), were separated from Christ (v. 12), but have now been brought near (to God) by the blood of Christ (v. 13). Jesus removed the requirement of having to follow the Law in order to please God, established justification by faith, and thereby united both Jew and Gentile into one group in Christ. This is when Paul says in verse 15 that he abolished in his flesh the enmity which is the law of commandments in ordinances. The Law was that which separated Jew from Gentile and since it has been fulfilled in Christ, it is no longer something that would separate Jew and Gentile.


source: carm.org

 

[Boanerges]

Amen- no man could fulfill the Law. Jesus certainly did not abolish it but He fulfilled it's obligations that we may walk in the righteousness He imputed to us.
He has indeed given us a new and living way to come into His presence and live a life pleasing to Him.


Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

When we walk in the Spirit -completely submitted to, led by and empowered by the Holy Spirit (just like Jesus example) we automatically do the things that please Him. This is not a walk of rules and regulations but a living relationship with our God. Take one step away from that and you will simply find your flesh trying to please God and this can never be.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

[dchena]

Yeah, I think I understand what your'e saying, and whole heartedly agree if I do. But Chad, it sounds a bit like you're are saying that because Christ died for us, that we don't have to take the law as seriously, or not be guided by it in our choices. That the freedom we are given is freedom from the law, not the beautiful freedom of fulfilling the law. Being as astute as you are, I don't think that's what you believe, but that's what it sounds like you're saying.

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus is speaking about the Old Testament principles and authority of rule and revelation. When Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law, He came to establish it and demonstrate how it pointed to Him and how He would live it perfectly. source: carm.org

...and how the only way for US to fulfill the law is through our alliance with Him.

Conversations on this topic, law and grace, make me nervous because it is very easy to minimize the importance of the law, that being the 10 commandments. So I guess I'll take up space to agree, but in my own words, and some borrowed.

We have the ability to fulfill the law, now. With Christ it is no longer a death sentence. We no longer have to make the sacrifices according to Jewish law to save ourselves from death. No more blood has to be spilled, as the Isrealites were commanded to do so that they would not be put to death. We have Christ, who has done this for us. But it does not mean we can disregard the law, the 10 commandments. Quite the opposite, we should be grateful for our pardoning and have the utmost respect for the law.

"The criminal is under the condemnation of the law; the good citizen is not. But both, good and bad, are under the jurisdiction of the law.The criminal chafes under such jurisdiction and feels under continual restraint; the good citizen does not feel any constraint. He is hardley aware that there is a law, for he has no urge to transgress it. The one hates the law; the other loves it, for he knows that it is his protector and friend, and that he may appeal to it in case of need." (from The Sabbath by M.L. Andreasen, page 229)

Christ will make us into 'good citizens' so that we will not be under the condemnation of the law, but still being under it's jurisdiction, we will love the law and become fulfillers of the law.

Revelations 14:12 - Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The commandments are very important, right up until the end. It defines God's people. From the beginning to the end. What Jesus did for us freed us from condemnation, and the sacrifical system of the Isrealites. But He opened up a whole new wonderful world for us and the ability, through Him, and the Holy Spirit, to become perfect law keepers.