Articles
We are Under Christ’s Law Part 1
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
September 2016
Written for Wisconsin Christian Newspaper
“We are under Christ’s Law.” I came across this statement written by someone who distinguishes Christ’s Law as being different from our Father’s Law.
Are they different?
What is meant by the “Law” here? In Hebrew in the Old Testament (OT), it is the word Torah, although it is more accurately translated as “righteous teachings” than as “law.” “Nomos” is the Greek word referring to the Torah or Law. To be ‘antinomian” or “against the Law,” is one of two serious dangers for believers, the other being “legalism,” “slavishly honoring the letter of the Law and missing the Spirit” as one simple definition. There are many denominational manmade beliefs that try to divide out portions of the Law that do or do not remain. They use differentiating terms that are not found in the Scriptures, such as moral, civil and ceremonial. Scriptures say:
God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19 ESV
The Scriptures say that His Law goes forth forever in His Word;
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25 ESV
Who is Christ as related to the Father?
How do we even know that there is a “Christ” from the Father?
“Christ” is the English term used to refer to “the anointed one,” Maschiach in Hebrew. This is transliterated into English as “Messiah.” Jesus Christ is the “good news,” which is the old English equivalent of the word “gospel.” He was prophesied to come in the OT, which includes the Torah (First Five Books of the Bible.) Already in Genesis, after the fall of Adam and Eve, we are told that redemption would come! Isaiah is more specific. If Jesus hadn’t met the criteria given through the prophets, we wouldn’t know how to recognize Him. What we call the “New Testament” wouldn’t exist without the foundation provided by the Father.
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Romans 8:38 ESV
Christ is the gospel and the WORD.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1, 3, 14 ESV
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30 ESV
What caused Christ to come to earth? He came because He agreed before the foundation of the world was even laid to pay the penalty of sin. He came to make a way back to the Father.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:38-40 ESV
The author indicated that Christ changed the law; that Jesus did not teach what the Father taught.
Scriptures say:
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
John 7:15-16 ESV
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17 ESV
The word” fulfill” is translated from the Greek word, “Pleroo” Srongs G4237. It carries the implications of completion in the sense of completing it to satisfaction, accomplishing it well. As the second Adam, Christ did what the first Adam could not do: He walked out everything He did completely under the authority of our Father, without sin!
The Father and His Christ are One and the same. Christ only taught what the Father taught. He clearly stated that He did not do away with the Father’s Teachings, but instead obeyed them fully.
We are under Christ’s Law as much as He is under the Father’s Law.
They are one and the same.
If they were not, He would not be Christ.
Do we need to differentiate between the Law of the Father and the Law of Christ? I think not.
Watch for Part 2:
What Pushes People to try to Differentiate between the Law of the Father and the Law of Christ?
We_are_Under_Christ_Law_Part_1_WCN_Sept_2016.pdf