“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.”
—Psalm 119:142

Reflection

It is far too easy for believers on this side of the cross to negate the Law that God gave Israel and nullify its purpose with so-called New Testament theology. In our era of hyper-grace teaching and forgiveness without repentance, the Law has become a bad word in many church circles. But we must recognize the good the Law has done and still does.

Jesus was careful to explain that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). In the same way, we must realize that He did not come to cancel the Law but to cancel the penalty for breaking the Law. Colossians 2:14 says Jesus took that penalty and nailed it to the cross.

The difference in wording between “cancel the Law” and “cancel the penalty of the Law” may be subtle, but the difference in meaning is huge. One completely negates what God established to bring His people closer to Him. The other acknowledges the Law’s inherent goodness while also recognizing the penalty that sin brings.

This distinction is especially important when we read Paul’s words about the curse of the Law in Galatians 3:10–14.

Paul speaks of those who rely on the works of the Law to save them. These were people striving under the Mosaic Law and believing their works would earn them favor with God.

This is legalism in action.

Anyone striving to earn salvation through legalism was missing the Law’s ultimate purpose of grace and therefore was under the curse, as Paul described it. Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.

There is a big difference between legalism and the Mosaic Law. Legalism is the result of sinners trying to use the Law itself to make them more holy through their own efforts.

For example, Jesus said the Pharisees loved to make a big show when they prayed (Matthew 6:5). They were using their religious practices to validate what they thought would earn them points with God and others.

God intended the Law to be a blessing, yet the legalists turned it into a curse. Rather than receiving God’s grace and drawing closer to the Lord, they attempted to save themselves through their own efforts of following the Law, and in so doing, rejected God’s grace.

We must be careful to avoid the same mistake. As Paul expressed in Romans 7, our sinful nature easily distorts the Law that God intended to be good, and we can end up falling into the trap of spiritual pride or a works-based salvation.

Yet the good news, no, the wonderful news, is that the Law is no longer the goal. As wonderful as it was, Jesus came to interpret the Law for us, and in teaching us the higher ways of His kingdom, He made it clear what the goal is now.

He is the goal of the Law!

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

Though the Law is good, it is no longer our means of getting closer to God; Jesus is. And praise God, as the complete fulfillment of the Law, Yeshua has already made the way through Him and to Him.

Application

• Trust in God’s grace, not your own efforts. Examine your heart. Are you trying to earn God’s favor through religious practices or good works rather than relying on what Yeshua has accomplished for you?
• Keep your eyes on Yeshua. As you study God’s Word and seek to walk in obedience, remember that Jesus is the goal of the Law. Draw near to the Father through Him.

Prayer

Father God, thank You that Your Law is holy, righteous, and good. Forgive me for the times I have relied on my own efforts or allowed spiritual pride to enter my heart. Help me to recognize the goodness of Your Word without falling into the trap of legalism. Thank You that Yeshua has taken the penalty for my sin and made a way for me to draw near to You. Teach me to walk in Your grace and keep my heart focused on Jesus, the complete fulfillment of the Law. In Yeshua’s name, amen.