In understanding the covenants, the role of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the life of the Christian, God helps us to understand through His Holy Word the workings of the Mosaic Law. It is the tendency of people to add their own understanding to make the Word of God more palatable or easier to accept, or worse yet, to make it fit their own established doctrine and belief system. This is also true of understanding, to the best of our limited human capacity, the workings of the Law. When we take our stand on the Word of God and not man’s understanding and allow His Holy Spirit to teach and to guide us, His Truth begins to take a deeper meaning in our lives (Isaiah 55:9, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, Romans 11:33, 1 Corinthians 1:20-25).
What is the Work of the Law?
In the book of Romans, Paul spends much time and detail explaining the difference of the Mosaic Law and the new Law Christ established through His life, death and resurrection. There is much in Romans 2:12-29 including how the work of the Law is written on all men’s hearts for all men know right from wrong, God wired us that way. When one places himself under the Mosaic Law, he will be judged by that Law. If one does not, he will be judged by the law he himself has acknowledged is already in place in his heart. Yet, verse 16 states we will all be judged by Jesus Christ, for there is no other way to the Father (John 14:6). Regardless of what law you chose to follow, you will be ultimately judged in the light of Jesus Christ with the condemnation that is within your own heart (Matthew 7:2, Romans 12:3).
Regarding the Law, Romans 3:19-20 states no one will be justified by the Law for its work is to give knowledge of sin and to be accountable to God. James 2:10 reminds us when we put ourselves under the Law and fail in one point of the Law, we have become accountable for the whole law (Galatians 3:10-11). Scripture is clear, no man, Jew or Gentile, is righteous with or without the Law (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Romans 3:9-20).
What is the Work of Jesus, the Messiah?
The answer for the condemnation, the understanding of sin and our inability to be justified through the Law is Jesus Christ. Going back to Romans 3:21-28 we see that only Jesus Christ could fulfill the whole Law without breaking one point. He became our propitiation, our sacrifice and now our righteousness if we place our faith in Him and Him alone. In Romans 3:27-28 we understand believers are now under a new Law, the Law of Faith. Paul gives another view of this in Romans 7. In Romans 7:5 we understand the Mosaic Law aroused the sinful nature in us which is described more in detail in Romans 7:19-26. This war of the work of the Law in our mind condemning the sin in our flesh is intense. Then Paul proclaims the perfect answer to the conflict warring within us, Jesus Christ! Romans 8:1-8 gives us confidence that Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law within Himself and imparts that upon us as believers through the New Covenant (Galatians 2:16). Furthermore, Paul explains in Galatians 3:1-13 the power of faith to receive the Spirit and His righteousness, not of the Law.
What is the Work of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus teaches in John 16:8-15, that He will send the Holy Spirit to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgement. These were previously the workings of the Law before Jesus came, but now the work of His Holy Spirit.
Christians Have Died to the Mosaic Law
Paul writes in Romans 7:1-6 how those who believe in Jesus and accept His New Covenant are dead to the Mosaic Law. Paul then uses the example of how the death of a spouse releases one from the marriage covenant. In verses 4-6, Paul explains we are dead to the Law, released from the Law and now serve God through the Holy Spirit, not the written code (the Law).
