In this sermon, we will explore the idea that believers today are completely free from the Law for social, sanctification, and salvation purposes. We will argue that the Law has virtually no purpose today except as background material to understand God's work in the world. Join us as we dive into what it means to unlearn the purpose of the Law.
The Biblical Purpose of the Law
The biblical purpose of the Mosaic Law can be organized into five broad categories that reveal God's intentions and desires for His chosen people.
First, the Law reflects God's holy and righteous character and establishes lofty standards for human conduct (Leviticus 19:2). Though not stated explicitly, the Law aimed to cultivate greater sanctity among the Israelites by revealing the very nature of God.
Second, the Law differentiated Israel from her pagan neighbors and fostered a unique covenant relationship between the nation and Yahweh (Exodus 19:5-6). By obeying God's commands, Israel would stand apart from other nations as God's treasured possession.
Third, the Law provided a way for atonement through obedience and sacrifice. Many Biblical passages underscore how careful adherence to the Law’s decrees led to righteousness in God's sight (Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 6:25; Psalm 19:7; Proverbs 19:16; Isaiah 48:18; Ezekiel 20:11; Matthew 7:21, 19:17; Romans 2:13, James 1:22, 2:24).
Fourth, the Law governed social conduct and preserved community order. Regulations on justice (Deuteronomy 16:18-20), property, marriage, and other aspects of Israelite society promoted fairness, safety, and stability. Blessings were promised for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), while curses were warned for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
Fifth, the Law protected and preserved human life, the crowning jewel of God's creation (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). Commands against murder, theft, and perjury all worked to uphold the sanctity of life.
In addition, the Law contains symbolic meaning, illustrating spiritual principles through physical statutes (1 Corinthians 9:9-10, 10:6).
The Misunderstood Purpose of the Law Today
The standard evangelical understanding of the purpose of the Law is that it demonstrates the impossibility of achieving righteousness through works. By emphasizing the need for a redeemer, the Law leads individuals to place their faith in Jesus Christ, the only one who could and did fulfill the Law perfectly. It serves as a road sign pointing to Christ as the only way to salvation.
I propose that this understanding is unbiblical in two ways. First, its assumption does not align with clear Biblical teaching. Second, it is a misinterpretation of Galatians 3:23-24.
The Faulty Assumption
The evangelical proposal considers The Law as an impossible standard. However, the Bible presents it as a Standard Meant to be Followed. We can see this in three ways.
First, the Mosaic Law itself presents the commandments as a standard that the Israelites were expected to follow. God repeatedly exhorted obedience to the commandments, reflecting this (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). The Law was given with the expectation of obedience, not as an unachievable ideal.
Second, The Law outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). This emphasizes that the Law was not an abstract standard but a practical guideline for living.
Third, while the Law required obedience, it also recognized the reality of failure and made provisions for it through sacrifices and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). This system allowed for repentance and restoration when the standard was not met.
Fourth, individuals like Zechariah and Elizabeth were proclaimed in Scripture to be righteous according to the Law (Luke 1:6), and Psalm 119:1 highlights the blessedness of those blameless in following the Law.
The Misinterpretation of Galatians 3:23-24
The standard evangelical interpretation of Galatians 3:23-24 is that the Law is seen as a tutor or guardian that leads individuals to recognize their need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. However, this interpretation of the passage is problematic. First, the passage says, "before faith came, we were kept under the law" (v. 23). Only the nation of Israel can make this claim. Therefore, "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ" (v. 24) is only referring to Israel, and it is something that is now in the past tense, as compared to the present tense of verse 25.
If read for what it says, the passage is about Israel during the dispensation of the Law, and it cannot be used to support the theory that "the Law leads us to Christ.”
The Transition Away From Law
In Romans 2:13, Paul states that "the doers of the law shall be justified." However, in Romans 3:20, he says that "by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified." This apparent contradiction is due to the fact that Romans deals with the theological transition from the covenants (Law) with Israel to the mystery of grace revealed to Paul.
In fact, in Romans 3:19, there is a reference to those who are under the Law. In verse 20, Paul makes an unprecedented statement that no one can be justified by the Law. Then, in verse 21, Paul declares something new, that "the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." In Romans 7, he declares complete freedom from the law.
In unlearning the role of the Law today, we can simplify it this way: the Law serves no purpose today except for history and illustration.
