The law of the Spirit transcends the covenants of the OT. These are laws that reflect the very character of God, known as the moral laws. There were oral laws which included the laws from the time of Noah until Moses. In the book of Genesis we can find each of the most of the 10 commandments referenced, and the book of Genesis was written by Moses. NO ONE ALIVE before this time had the written word. It appears that the only writings in the world were picture writings before Moses. JMO, and something I have often wondered about.. The Egyptians only had picture writings. Even the ancient Chinese writings were a form of picture writings and still are today. Yes they knew about idols, false gods, adultery, honour thy father and mother, etc long before they were magnified by the finger of God in stone tablets given on Mt. Sinai. And yes, then magnified even greater in the living Christ through the Spirit of the law. No amount of manmade inventions or force can separate "the moral law of God" from "the grace of God through the Spirit". It would be like trying to separate "the written word" from "the Word made flesh". Rather impossible, no?
Genesis 26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my (GOD'S) voice, and kept my (GOD'S) charge, my (GOD'S) commandments, my(GOD'S) statutes, and my (GOD'S) laws. ......
Abraham continued worshiping the one true God, he also conversed with Him. So, yes, Abraham obeyed God's commandments. The moral law was then seen as part of the covenant law of conscience, but was not unique to that covenant and did not end with it. There are other laws that are covenant laws, that have to do with man's ability to function in a manner that is pleasing to God, and beneficial to himself and society such as marriage to next of kin widows for the purpose of keeping seed alive in the family, the dietary laws of Moses, etc. Covenants can be temporary, and the laws that are unique to those covenants are temporary aslo. Examples: The Sabbath laws, which only came into effect at Sinai. The laws pertaining to circumcision were covenant laws between God and the nation Israel through the father Abraham all these ended with the vanishing of the Old Covenant. But the moral laws, which reflect God's character, are like God Himself in that they are eternal and of His Spirit of the Law. That which is Spirit can only be followed by faith in the material natural realm, thus we walk by faith keeping the Law of faith both in the OT & NT, therefore the law is established therein by faith. Faith establishes the law in the heart of the believer, Romans 3-31.
Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
The ritual and ceremonial laws added.
1 Peter 2-9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
To be a kingdom of priests was God’s original intent for the Hebrew children coming out of Egypt. However, the ritual and ceremonial laws were then added to the moral law at Sinai because of disobedience, Gal. 3-19
Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
As one recently wrote in the comment section : But after what happened in Exodus 32, the golden calf abomination, God singled out the tribe of Levi (which came to Moses’ aid) as the priestly tribe and the rest were laity (so to speak).
Guess what? Clergy / laity is not New Testament!"....The ceremonial law was abolished at the cross hence forth having no need of a clergy. One has to ask the question; why did the NT church go back to the old system of dead works? And even worse yet, mix it with Roman/Greek paganism rituals also. Twice blessed in the worst of two worlds? Plus the commandments of God are supposedly done away with too? At least that's what the false prophets say because we are dead to the law/obedience and are now children of grace.
If therefore perfection came by way of the Levitical priesthood
what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood
being changed, there is made by necessity a change also of the law as in the
ceremonial law. Paul teaches this in Hebrews 7:11-12....No
change to God's 10 Commandments, only the Law of Moses. The Priesthood was
committed to the tribe of Levi and specifically the sons of Aaron. Priesthood
had to do with DNA, if you were not a son of Aaron, you could not serve in the
Priesthood. This explains the following verses...
Hebrews 7:13
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no
man gave attendance at the altar.
(Jesus was Jewish not a Levite)
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more
evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another
priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a
carnal commandment, but after the
power of an endless life.
Made after a fleshly (carnal means fleshly) commandment, "the handwriting of ordinances" Col. 2-14. In that only those sons of Aaron could be Priests. Even those returning with Ezra had to prove they were Levite, if not, they were dismissed. This is why it is mentioned that Christ came from Judah, by genetics He was disqualified from being a Levitical Priest. So the Levitical Priesthood Law had to change to allow Christ to be the ONE worthy to be High Priest because Christ will not violate His Law. Now all believers in Christ are spiritual Jews and therefore priests in the kingdom.
7-18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment (carnal ritual commandment) going before for the weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law (ritual carnal ordinances) made nothing perfect; For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. The covenant changed, the priesthood changed, and therefore by necessity the ceremonial law changed in that it was no longer necessary. This shows that some of God's former commandments were annulled and no longer kept. For example the Aaron priesthood, the commandment to circumcise all males, the commandment to make sin sacrifices of animals, the ceremonial washings, the burning of incense, etc. But the royal commandment, the 10 commandments did not change. Just because God changes His carnal rules & regulations, and His covenant does NOT mean that God changes WHO HE IS, which is what "I AM the Lord God and I change not" means. His principles of right and wrong never change and remain forever. The moral law of God is eternal.
Here is the differences between the Law of Moses and The Law of
God:
Moses law is called "the law of Moses" Luke 2:22 : GOD'S LAW is called
"the law of the Lord" Isaiah 5:24.
Moses law is called "the law of ordinances" Ephesians 2:15 : God's
law is called "the royal law" James 2:8
Moses law is written by Moses in a book. 2 chronicles 35:12 : God's
law is written by the finger of God on stone. Exodus 31:18; 32:16
Moses law was placed at the side of the ark. Duet 31:26 : God's was
placed inside the ark. Exodus 40:20
Moses law ended at the cross. Eph. 2:15: God's will stand forever.
Luke 16:17
Moses law was added because of sin. Gal 3:19: God's law points out
sin. Romans 7:7 & 3:20
Moses law is contrary to us, and against us. Col 2:14: God's laws
are not grievous. 1 John 5:3
Moses law is carnal Hebrews 7;16: God's law Spiritual. Romans 7:14
Moses law made nothing perfect. Hebrews 7:19: God's law is Perfect.
Psalm 19:7
All thru the scripture we are commanded to obey God. And yet many
seem to have a problem with anybody that does obey God from the heart. They
label them as self-righteous with the intent of earning their own salvation,
thus having no need of Jesus. These that do such heresy are not building on the
Chief Corner Stone, but rather stumbling over it. There is also another person
that has a problem with any that obey God's commandments. That being the Dragon.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17
The falsehood deemed “not of works” seems to be based on what men think
when they parrot that Christ "fulfilled" the law. It is also based on the idea
that Christ was not in the world from the beginning and a part of all scripture.
The Father, Christ, and Holy Spirit never destroy that which is holy and
righteous but rather build upon and make better through manifestation. Christ
fulfilled, but He did not cancel the moral law. The law of love is
righteous love; with all mercy, discernment, compassion having natural
affection. This is the joy in Him; that we rejoice in all goodness because the
fulfillment of His love is all holiness and righteousness in such works there is
no condemnation. Love God = the first 4 Commandments. Love your neighbour = the
last 6 commandments. When Jesus said to love God and Love your neighbour, He was
merely quoting the Old Testament. He is now our example as to how this can be
done through faith.
Law give to Moses, via Jesus life, via Pentecost. Through this magnification we are doers of the Law in that we walk after the Spirit (obedience from the heart) and not the Letter of the law. Not an obedience for the purpose of keeping the outside of the cup clean, not a worldly obedience after the likeness of Cain, but rather after the order of Melchizedek. Gordon Olsen said; "Self seeks to get and love seeks to give"
Based on the 10 Commandments, the
righteousness of Christ's believers, under the Law of the SPIRIT doing that
which is righteous liberates, (made free from sin), fulfilling all that is
written in the New Testament/Covenant as they 'abide' in all of them, (abiding
in Christ loving their fellow man). This actually exceeds the righteousness of
the Pharisees, who are under the Law of sin and death that keeps them in bondage
to sin, making them servants of sin because their hearts were not right with
God. Note: Simon the sorcerer was a false-prophet, a signature of the church of
false converts (Mystery Babylon). What did Peter say to him? “Repent for your
heart is not right with God”. Therefore, as we 'abide' in CHRIST, our
Redeemer from the corrupting bondage of sin through the New Covenant is that
which liberates us. Therefore our righteousness does exceed the righteousness of
the Pharisees and not that of filthy rags. Salvation is a Covenant
WALK, not a one-time thing. "If you continue in my word,
(abide in Christ) you are truly My disciples, and ye will know the
truth, and the truth will make you free". Free from what? Free from the
bondage of sin.
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a
wise man who built his house on the rock" ... "And everyone who
hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who
built his house on the sand, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
These are not rare and surprising words from the MASTER for any believers in the
faith, for it is also written that; "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by
the word of GOD." because "the grace of God that bringeth salvation has
appeared to all men" for the purpose of "teaching us to live godly,
soberly, and righteously in this present world". It’s not for the
purpose of teaching us after we get our new bodies at the resurrection, because
we will at the resurrection then walk by sight and no longer walk by faith.
Every writer of the New Testament was very familiar with the 10 Commandments. They understood them to be like a chain having 10 links. If you break one link of the chain, the chain (covenant) is broken. The breaking of these is such that disqualifies one from inheriting the kingdom because of sins unto death. Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Paul says that by yielding to God we become servants of obedience. Striving to enter in through the straight gate is yielding to the Law of the Spirit. When we see something in the law of God that points out our sin, (liken to when Jesus stooped and wrote on the ground to revive their conscience in John 8:6-8). We are to yield to the Spirit. The result then is surrender unto obedience to do that which is pleasing to God.
Obedience from the heart unto righteousness inherits the kingdom, and sin unto death has its own reward if continued. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. However, the second death, (permanent spiritual death) is the eternal separation from God by man himself due to his sin. This is the lake of fire, eternal separation from God's Spirit. This is why the rich man in hell wanted a drop of water (the spirit of life), that he might live again. He had an existence but no life. A condition of eternal drought. Jesus Christ IS the life. Those spiritually dead outside of Christ are dead, yet they still have a consciousness of life and the things around them. Luke 16:23,24-27,28
James 2:10-11 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, (10 Commandments, the Law of the Spirit) and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Mark 10:17-19 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, (10 Commandments, The Law of the Spirit) Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (It appears that his man thought he was keeping all of the 10 commandments, however because he coveted his possessions it had caused him to break the first commandment, in that he placed his possessions above God).
Matthew 15:3-4 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God (10 commandments. the Law of the Spirit) by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment (The first of the last 6 of the Commandments, the Law of the Spirit) with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the (Ten
Commandments, the Law of the Spirit) of God and their faith in Jesus Christ.
Some will say; "How do you know God is referring to the 10 Commandments?"
answer: Because writing the 10 Commandments, "the Law of the Spirit" on the
heart and mind is the foundation of the New Covenant of love in Christ.
Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the new covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on
their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the new covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind
and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be
My people.
Hebrews 10:16-17
“This is the new covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the
Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write
them,” then He adds,“ Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no
more.”
When we hear the words, "Tablets of stone" we know God is referring to the Ten
Commandments. It's this same chain, with ten links known to God and us as the
commandments that God writes in our heart in the New Covenant.
2 Corinthians 3:3
clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but
by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of
flesh, that is, of the heart.
If false prophets have their way and do away with obedience unto righteousness,
which is Satan's plan, God will have nothing to write in our hearts therefore
resulting in the abundance of iniquity, "ie" the ever abounding lawlessness from
the cold hearted wrought by the works of self- indulgences. We can see the
effects of this in the whole corrupt financial "fiat" system brought
forth through lust and the love of what is perceived to be money in the last 100
years. It’s even gone beyond the love of money in that it is the love of what is
imagined to be as money, (monopoly money) and the endless "promises to
pay". Framing righteousness in mischief.
An entire planet's economies built on credit/debt, credit/debt,
and more credit/debt. Perceiving a credit score
to be wealth? Knowing this first; that evil is never satisfied: the intended
debt slavery is not enough, the evil purpose behind it is to establish a
politically-correct character score in
disguise for the purpose of micro-managing the masses to serve their masters in
the Vatican. Without this colossal fraud invention in 1913 there could have
never been WW1, WW2, and the continuous WW3 we are presently engaged in, (the
world-wide manufactured WOT) as the love of mankind has waxed colder and
colder. They speak peace, peace, and blessings to God, while at the same time
cursing their neighbour with the sin of usury, one of the vilest sins of
covetousness. All manner of evil is wrought out of covetousness, (the love of
money).
Matthew 24:11-13
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And
because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Notice how love grows cold when the Law is done away with because
the Law defines love. Also notice how there will be a need for the saints to
have endurance in keeping the commandments of God because in the last days the
"tolerance myth" will be used to move God's people away from
keeping His commandments through His Spirit. When the restraining power of
the gospel is removed evil runs ramped.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the
commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
Let God use His Law to do the work the Spirit needs to do in showing our need for Jesus and teaching us how to love with a godly love. The Law of God is the Law of liberty, (The Law of the Spirit) once you understand it. The law of the Spirit and the law of Christ is the same law and love is not just compassion but true discernment with all holiness and righteousness. Isaiah 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Jesus was the pure manifest example of living out the law of the Spirit, thus the 10 commandments are magnified through His example and made real upon the hearts of men through the Holy Spirit. 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles (nations) shall wait for his law. This is what destroyed the works of the Devil. This was the secret that the prophets did not know as to how it would occur as the angels also sought to look into, 1 Peter 1:10-12. Jeremiah made the prophecy that the laws would be written on the hearts and minds of men/women, but he didn't know the mysterious mechanics as to how this influencing power of the Spirit would all come about. Jesus works at Calvary are what unleashed the power of the Spirit poured out upon the world that Satan should no longer deceive the nations, (the decedents of Shem, Ham, and Japheth).
The law is of love.
Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge , nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people,
but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Deut. 6:4 Hear , O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt
love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy might.
Deut. 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the
heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all
thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Deut. 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that
dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love
the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Luke 10:26
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou ? 27 And he
answering said , Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy
neighbour as thyself.
The Law was supposed to bring life because the principles taught in the Law is
life, but instead disobedience of the law it brings death because of sin, (the
law of sin and death) Romans 7-9-12. Take away the sin through the blood
of Christ and keep the Law by the power of God's Spirit and you will not only
have life, you will have life abundantly. Living by the principles of God's Law
will produce a life that is eternal. The carnal mind can't understand this
principle because it's spiritually discerned. The Law of Moses can be bondage
if you fail to see both aspects of the Law. (the consequences "the law of sin
and death" and the liberty "the law of the Spirit". Jesus is our example of
righteousness by faith that proceeds from love for all those who believe. Praise
God Jesus has freed us from the curse of the Law because now we are free to love
by that same Spirit of the law which magnifies love,
Romans 13-8,9.
Many will use Colossians 2-14 "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances" by wrongly implying that the moral law of God was nailed to the cross. “ie” dead to the law. However, in context and according to the whole weight of the NT Paul was speaking about the Law of Moses "works of the law", not the moral law of God. We have further confirmation of this in Hebrews 9:10 as Paul gives us a description of that OT ritual law...Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Some will argue that the Gentiles were never under the law. However, Paul tells us in Romans 2 that the law was written on the minds of the Gentiles having a conscious that convicts them therefore being a law into themselves. Grace moves us to deny ungodliness. The Law teaches us what godliness looks like.
Here is a good 2 part study that goes into detail explaining this subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNVaL8t21TI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3tKn7X37nM
Concerning the Sabbath
Jesus Christ IS the Sabbath Rest! He is the Lord of the Sabbath! Did He not say the Kingdom has come unto to you? Did He not say that "it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath"? Have ye legalists appointed for yourself 6 days therein to NOT do well, because you say that we should still respect the seventh day above the other days? We best be respecting the sabbath rest in Christ and doing well 24/7.
The funny thing is that people use the Ten Commandment to show the sinner their need for the Savoir. They reveal the fact that they are living in adultery, lying, stealing and so on. Therefore they need the blood of Christ to cleanse them of their sin, but once they've been cleansed it seems that adultery, lying, and stealing are no longer sinful because they perceive they are covered by the blood and God no longer sees their sin. I think many can grow to like that gospel... NO!!! No one is justified by keeping the Law for only God can forgive past sins, but a just man will obey the Law through Covenant. God says the Law is perfect. It's us who are the problem. One of the things that Jesus did was He magnified the Law when HE said, "If you lust after a woman you've committed adultery in your heart" It also puts you in a hopeless condition without Jesus. God knows what He is doing. The Law reveals sin and then points us to Jesus, Galatians 3:22. The Law is good, right, and holy and man is not. In Christ we no longer use our ability to obey the Law as a means to establish our value or self-worth in the eyes of God, but rather we do use the Spirit of the Law as a means to manifest godly love from day to day in this present age,.
2 Corinthians 3:7-8
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in
stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly
behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be
done away:
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather
more
glorious?
(The
spiritual power to fulfill the law by ministration through the Spirit is even
more glorious and magnified made more real than words of stone because of the
works of Christ and His ministering influence upon the heart.)
Bill