Articles
We are Under Christ’s Law? Part 2 What Pushes People to Differentiate between the Law of the Father and the Law of Christ?
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
October 2016
Written for Wisconsin Christian Newspaper
In Part 1, I dealt with the question of whether or not “We are under Christ’s Law.” My conclusion: Yes, we are under Christ’s Law, as much as He is under our Father’s Law because They are One and the Same! If He weren’t, He wouldn’t be the Christ, the only Begotten Son of the God of Israel.
What is the basis of trying to differentiate between them? Semantics or “theological politics?” Or simply a desire to be “free” from YHWH’s authority?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
The author referred to in part 1 stated this is the reason that Jesus could “do away” with the Law. In fact, both Old and New Testaments warn of the danger of either adding or subtracting from His Law.
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Revelation 22:18-19 ESV
Where does the desire to be “free from the Father’s Law” come from? It is a mistaken understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son. Jesus is known for His obedience to His Father, our Father! Did He think the Father’s Laws were bad? No! He kept and taught them!
It is fed by the false dichotomy between the “bad” god of the OT and the “good” god of the NT. It is misunderstanding the Law which was given for our good as being burdensome or abhorrent; the worldview that there is something wrong with the Law given by the Father, that it is somehow shameful or opposed to what Christ offered. In truth, it is really disrespectful and blasphemous to our Father to teach or believe that He created the Law which He declared good forever and it somehow became bad! For that matter, Christ was at Sinai! He IS the Lawgiver as well as the Father!
“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
Deuteronomy 30:11 ESV
Sometimes a translation issue creates a false division between the Father and the Son. The ESV has it done correctly without the added word as many other versions have it:
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:17 KJV
The added word “but” carries an implication in English that the two are opposed to one another; a reflection of a western worldview which emphasizes polarities. The Law of Moses verses the grace/truth/Law of Christ. In the Hebraic context in which it was written, it is intended as a reflection on the “if this, then how much more so that!” type of Hebrew imagery. In truth, grace couldn’t exist without the context of the Law in which it was first given. If there is no standard, one would not need grace!
Many believers love the Psalms, recognizing so much personal striving in the context of faith there. Yet if they will be honest, and not pick and choose, they will see that the Psalmists stand by and confirm the Law/the Torah of the Father. Read Psalm 119!
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
let me not be put to shame!
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119: 29-31, 72, 89, 97-98, 105
Whose Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path? The Father’s Word which is confirmed through the Son’s. How long will the Father’s commandments remain? Forever.
There is one law that we are delivered from by Christ’s work on our behalf:
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2 ESV
When we accept Christ’s death as the penalty for our sin having been paid, we ARE free from the principle that sin will lead to death. And that is the Father’s Law, too!
Underneath it all, the desire to be free from the Father’s Law is from conscious or unconscious antisemitism. It is fed by confusion and tradition. Confusion and chaos are synonymous!
How could we be free from His righteous teachings?
That would be anarchy and chaos, exactly what the evil one desires to achieve as we approach the end of this age. Rebellious children who resist their Creator.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”
1 Samuel: 15:23 ESV
He rejected a king He appointed for failing to honor His Word. Will your lack of obedience bring rejection, too? May it never be!
We_Are_Under_Christs_Law_Part_2_WCN_Oct_2016.pdf