It is refreshing to find confirmation from others about what you’ve been learning.
First, there is “the Law of God” (Rom. 7:22,25, etc.). Second, there is “the Law of Moses” (John 7:23; Acts 13:39, 15:5, etc.). Third, there is “the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Now these three expressions are by no means synonymous, and it is not until we learn to distinguish between them, that we can hope to arrive at any clear understanding of our subject.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AW Pink
Your conscience is the undying echo of God’s holy law in your soul.
Mock and laugh if you dare; but you know that is the truth. You may never acknowledge it this side of eternity; but you do not even question that fact. You know it is so. Your conscience is the undying echo of God’s holy law in your soul.
If I am not mistaken, conscience is the most powerful part of our constitution as moral creatures. Conscience cannot save anyone. Conscience can never bring anyone to Christ. Every man’s conscience is, by reason of sin, blind, ignorant and misdirected. Yet, the conscience raises a loud testimony and protest in the soul against sin. It makes the guilty soul uneasy. It causes the transgressor to tremble. It is the consciousness of guilt and sin that causes all men to fear death, judgment and eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is funny how after I spent weeks reading the Scripture and researching the Law, finally writing out the short summary of my understanding of it in the Law of God, Law Of Moses & Law of Christ – Is There a Difference? now I find another explanation that is so similar I might have accused myself of having read his first. But the Lord knew I need to do that study upon my own and I couldn’t just take another’s word for it or start with another’s research. But yesterday I found this from A.W. Pink in his The Law and The Saint. For those that don’t see the differences in my post maybe this will help explain the differences.
The “Law of God” expresses the mind of the Creator, and is binding upon all rational creatures. It is God’s unchanging moral standard for regulating the conduct of all men. In some places “the Law of God” may refer to the whole revealed will of God, but in the majority it has reference to the Ten Commandments; and it is in this restricted sense we use the term. This Law was impressed on man’s moral nature from the beginning, and though now fallen, he still shows the work of it written in his heart. This law has never been repealed, and in the very nature of things, cannot be. For God to abrogate the moral Law would be to plunge the whole universe into anarchy. Obedience to the Law of God is man’s first duty. That is why the first complaint that Jehovah made against Israel after they left Egypt was, “How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws” (Ex. 16:28). That is why the first statutes God gave to Israel were the Ten Commandments, i.e. the moral Law. That is why in the first discourse of Christ recorded in the New Testament He declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt 5:17), and then proceeded to expound and enforce the moral Law. And that is why in the first of the Epistles, the Holy Spirit has taught us at length the relation of the Law to sinners and saints, in connection with salvation and the subsequent walk of the saved: the word “law” occurs in Romans no less than seventy-five times, though, of course, not every reference is to the Law of God. And that is why sinners (Rom. 3:19) and saints (James. 2:12) shall be judged by this Law.
The “Law of Moses” is the entire system of legislation, judicial and ceremonial, which Jehovah gave to Israel during the time they were in the wilderness. The Law of Moses, as such, is binding upon none but Israelites. This Law has not been repealed. That the Law of Moses is not binding on Gentiles is clear from Acts 15.
The “Law of Christ” is God’s moral Law, but in the hands of the Mediator. It is the Law which Christ Himself was “made under” (Gal. 4:4). It is the Law which was “in His heart” (Psalms 40:8). It is the Law which He came to “fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). The “Law of God” is now termed “the Law of Christ” as it relates to Christians. As creatures we are under bonds to “serve the Law of God” (Rom. 7:25). As redeemed sinners we are “the bondslaves of Christ” (Eph. 6:6), and as such we are under bonds to “serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24). The relation between these two appellations, “the law of God” and “the Law of Christ” is clearly intimated in 1 Cor. 9:21, where the apostle states, that he was not without Law to God,” for he was “under the Law of Christ“. The meaning of this is very simple. As a human creature, the apostle was still under obligation to obey the moral Law of God his Creator; but as a saved man he now belonged to Christ, the Mediator, by redemption. Christ had purchased him: he was His, therefore, he was “under the Law of Christ“. The “Law of Christ“, then, is just the moral Law of God now in the hands of the Mediator and Redeemer – cf Ex. 34:1 and what follows!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A.W. Pink
I have really been enjoying my study of the different Laws in Scripture, The Law of God, The Law of Moses, and The Law of Christ. All three are referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:9-22.
1 Corinthians 9:9-22 (KJV)
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
I have over eight pages of notes and verses but I know no one would find it as interesting as I do. 😆 Unless you really dig into the Scriptures, the Law can seem rather dry and boring. But here is a short explanation of the Laws and whom they were given to. I will add more and more verses to this as time goes on. {This will be easier to read online so you can hover over the verse references, if you do not have Instaverse. There was no way I could include the full verses in all cases. It would have been too long.}
What is the difference between each of theses Laws? Who do they encompass? What are the expectations?
This Law of God has always existed (1 John 3:11-12). Man was created in the image of God with His Law written on their hearts (Romans 1:19, 20; Romans 2:14-15). There could have been no sin if there had not been the Law of God on the hearts of all Creation. All men through all societies have had this Law of God upon their hearts. This is why murder is wrong everywhere. Now true, sin has caused man to tamper with the Law of God and say well murder is OK here, here and here, but all other murders are wrong. The Law of God is related to our conscience accusing or excusing them (Romans 2:14-15). When we have broken the Law of God we know it and we feel bad about it, unless we have seared our conscience (1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; KJV).
This is the atheistic stumbling block. When discussing with an atheist, they know certain things are right or wrong; however, they will not admit that God wrote those Laws on their hearts. Yet, evolution does not explain away The Law of God. Evolution says survival of the fittest, which essentially is death to the weak. Atheists may deny that there are such Laws on the heart of man. They may pretend that those are just things that people are taught and our governmental laws enforce. They can talk a big talk, until someone commits a crime against them! See murder, rape, stealing, etc. is still wrong if it affects them. This is because the Law of God is written on their hearts from the beginning.
The beginning of the Jewish nation had these Laws written on their hearts. That is how they knew they sinned. Cain knew it was wrong to kill Abel without God writing out a bunch of Laws, it was written on his heart (Genesis 4:1-15). Have you ever wondered how the early Jews such as Noah (Genesis 6:9), Abraham, and Isaac, or someone like Job (Job 1:1) could know how to follow God’s Law yet it was never recorded? This is why, the Laws of God were written on the hearts of all men.
Notice “all men”, that is how God could judge nations such as Sodom (Genesis 13:13, Genesis 18:20) and Nineveh (Jonah 1:2) because the Law was written on their hearts. This is where many non-Christians have issues. See they claim God is unjust to judge those who have never heard the gospel nor even heard about their sin. Yet, God wrote His Laws on the heart of every man. Here also is a sticking point with many of those who desire to follow the Law of Moses, see they claim if you do away with the Law of Moses then there can be no sin. That is based on misinterpreting verses such as: Romans 3:20 (KJV) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But see we do not have to have the Law of Moses to show us we have sinned, although it does show us our sin. Otherwise we would have to teach everyone the Law of Moses in order to share the Gospel of Christ. Also no one would have sinned before the Law of Moses was given on Mount Sinai. We do not have an unjust God who judges man for things they know not. How could anyone be just and punish another for a Law that they never knew?
Yet we can all start with the Laws of God as a basis, for everyone has these on their hearts. Conviction of lying and stealing can then lead into more explanation of the Laws and how we have broken them.
The Law of God has neither beginning nor ending. It is inherent in the Character of God which never changes. When you read verses in the Bible speaking of the Law existing forever this is what it is referring to. As we know the Laws concerning sacrifices, circumcision, clean and unclean, and many more Laws like them do not remain forever. The Law of God is encompassed in both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. It is the basis for all The Law of Moses and The Law of Christ. Often people call this God’s Moral Law. James calls the Law of God the Royal Law in James 2:8 which is referring to Leviticus 19:18. This is God’s Commandments Believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another (1 John 3:23).
The Law of Moses has a definite beginning and end. The Law of Moses began upon Mount Sinai (Exodus 20) and was delivered to Moses on tablets of stone. The Law of Moses has never been written on the heart of men but has been written in tablets of stone and books of the Law. No other culture knows those Laws specific to the Law of Moses. Not wearing two types of cloth is not something written on our hearts (Leviticus 19:19). This was a specific Law given to the Israelites.
The Law of Moses was given to Israel 430 years after Abraham. This Law included the Law of God but also added ceremonial and civil items. The Law of Moses also includes specific punishment for the breaking of them.
The Law of Moses was just for the Israelites and those living in their borders. This law encompassed the Law of God, ceremonial and civil laws. This Law was a burden and impossible for the Jews to keep; an impossible burden to encourage the Jews to look for a better hope (Acts 15:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 7:19, 22). No Jew kept all the Law of Moses until Jesus kept, completed and fulfilled the Law of Moses. Jesus was the point that all the Law of Moses pointed to. Upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Law of Moses was fulfilled and completed. OT and NT Scriptures point this out.
Galatians 3:19 (KJV) Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; …
Christ delivered us from the Law.
Romans 7:6 (KJV) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
The Law of Moses was a school master, a child teacher, for the Jews until Christ, faith, should come.
Galatians 3:23-25 (KJV)
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
But we are no longer under a school master. We have the Holy Spirit living in us (1 John 3:24).
The Law of Christ has a definite beginning (John 13:34), in the life, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. However, the Law of Christ never ends, but is everlasting. The Law of Christ is only written on the hearts of believers. It is not written on tablets of stone but on the flesh of our hearts not by human hands (2 Corinthians 3:3). The Law of Christ is summed up by sacrificial Love (John 15:13, John 15:10, Romans 13:8-10). Only the Church is expected to follow the Law of Christ, it is foolishness to all others (1 Cor. 2:14).
This Law of Christ does not depend on a conscience, because the Holy Spirit is living and working in each believer (Acts 1:8, Acts 5:32, Romans 5:5, 1 Cor. 6:19). Thus even those who previously had a seared conscience can still fulfill the Law of Christ. If our heart does not condemn us then we can be confident with God (1 John 3:19-21).
All of Scripture, even the Law of Moses, points everyone to Christ (Deuteronomy 18:18, John 5:39, Acts 3:22). The Law of Christ is a better hope (Hebrews 7:19) a better testament (Hebrews 7:22), more glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) and gives life instead of the death in the Law of Moses (2 Corinthians 3:6). The Law of Christ is the perfect Law, the Law of Liberty (James 1:25). We are set free from the binding of the Law of Moses and married to Christ (Romans 7:1-6).
The Law of Christ took the Law of God and added to it. While the Law of God commanded love because of the Lord (Leviticus 19:18); the Law of Christ commands love as Christ has loved us (John 13:34, John 15:12). We are to lay down our lives for our brethren because Christ did so for us (1 John 3:16).
I have gone from not really being interested in studying the Law, through amazed at much of the NT is directed at the Law and not being bound to the Law of Moses and now, wow! I have enjoyed this so much and learned more than I could possibly write down. You know the jumping up and down can’t wait to share. Keeping hubby up too late talking type of fun. 😀
Does that ever happen to you?
Or am I as strange as some say? 😆
I could have never explained Law of Moses, Law of God, & Law of Christ before.
Honestly, I really didn’t care, isn’t that bad! That was for academics, not for a simple mom.
What has gotten you excited in studying God’s Word lately?
