Week Four - Day Two: "How Is The Law Relevant Today?"

Yesterday, we learned that God has given a new covenant in His blood through Jesus Christ, and now Christians are no longer under the covenant given to the Israelites on Mount Sinai.  Does this mean that the Old Testament Law is no longer relevant to the followers of Jesus?



 Paul said that “all scripture” is God breathed and for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  You have to remember when Paul said “scripture” he was referring to the Old Testament.  The Old Testament is still God’s Word to us, even though we relate to the Law differently than the Israelites did.  It is God’s Word to us; these books are no longer law for us.  We should read and apply the Old Testament as God’s Word but not as a legally binding to get to God, but embrace them and live according to them as the embodied principles we should learn from and obey.  ASKTHE QUESTIONS: What do the laws teach us about God?  What do they teach us about human nature?  What guidelines do we find that can help us live for the Lord in our world today?



>  To figure out how we relate to specific Old Testament Laws, ask the following questions:



·        Is this Old Testament command directly emphasized in the New Testament?

·        Has the New Testament shown this Old Testament law to be no longer applicable?

·        What are the principles behind this law that reflect God’s values?

·        What does this law teach me about loving God or loving others?



> READ LEVITICUS 19:1-10 AND ASK THESEQUESTIONS.



>  NOW READ LEVITICUS 19:11-22, WHAT PORTIONSOF THESE COMMANDS DO YOU THINK MIGHT BE DIRECTLY EMPHASIZED IN THE NEWTESTAMENT?



>  LIST TWO WAYS THESE LAWS REFLECT GOD’SVALUES.



Verse 18 is an example of an Old Testament law that is repeated in the New Testament and applies under the New Covenant (Matthew 22:39).  Although, verses 21-22 no longer apply concerning animal sacrifices, we recognize that confession and repentance are still required to have a right relationship with God.



When you read the Old Testament Law, don’t get lost in legal requirements that don’t apply to Christians. Recognize it as a valuable revelation of God and His character.  Then, identify and obey the principles in the law, as explained in the New Testament revelation of Jesus.

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