So what is the position of Christians when it comes to divine approval moment-by-moment and Sinai Covenant Law? Paul declares that Jesus ‘gave himself on behalf of us in order that on receipt of a ransom he release us away from all lawlessness and cleanse for himself a people existing all around, zealous of good works’, (Titus 2 v 14). Peter says this to Gentile Christians, ‘you were released on payment of a ransom away from the empty futile way of your life handed down to you from your ancestors 19 … by precious blood of the Messiah in the manner of a lamb without blemish’. (I Peter 1 v 18b, 19). To Jews it is stated like this, ‘Therefore men it is known to you that by means of this the sending away of self-forfeiture and loss is openly proclaimed. 39 And away from all that within the law of Moses you were not able to be approved, within Him, all entrusting are approved’, (Acts 13 v 38, 39).
Speaking to both Jewish and Gentile Christians who were in danger of turning to Covenant Law in order to live a godly life, Paul says this. ‘But when the fullness of time came God sent forth His Son, having come from out of a woman, having come under law 5 in order that he completely buy out those under the law, in order that we begin and continue to receive adoption. 6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Breath [Pneuma] of his Son to reach into our deep inner core, crying out out, “Abba, Father”, (Galatians 4 v 4 – 6). Later, Paul plainly states the principle of Christians living a godly life day-by day, and he does not direct them to Covenant Law. ‘So I say, walk around within Breath [Pneuma] and absolutely do not bring to completion eager fleshly desire. 17 Because the flesh is focused on passionate desires against the Breath, [Pneuma] and the Breath [Pneuma] against the flesh. Because these resist and oppose one another in order that if you desire, you do not construct it, 18 and if you are led by the Breath [Pneuma], you are not under law’, (Galatians 5 v 16 – 18).
Paul and the other Apostles consistently contrast the written codes of Covenant Law bringing down settled anger on one hand, over and against hearing, persuasion, and the Breath of God and His Son bringing down divine judicial approval on the other hand. Their instruction is to –
Persevere within persuasion and walk around moment by moment within the sphere of the Breath that they have received and which dwells in their deep inner core, at the foundation of their thoughts, emotions and desires
This is not an abolishing or dissolving of divine Law, but a unique way of life that is only possible for Christians because only Christians possess the indwelling and working energy of the Breath of God and His Messiah. It is a way of life within the Messiah that upholds the principles and fulfils the requirements of Divine Law within a superior priestly order.
But Christian legalists usually raise their hands in horror at this. They suggest that such a position is anti-law – antinomian. But over the course of these posts I hope that we are seeing that this is not the case. Christian legalists propose that this is a lawless approach – that there are no moral or spiritual safeguards. But on the contrary, we have seen that Christians possess the Breath. Christian legalists propose that this approach opens the door to Christians being led by their emotions, fleshly desires and a deceitful heart, or that those who advocate such an approach are dismissing the word of God. But I am saying that Christian legalists are in danger of denying their Messiah. So let’s see what Paul has to say about the written codes of divine law.
