What Is the Truth About --

LAW AND GRACE?

No question excites more controversy among those who profess

the name of "Christ"! Are we under the "Law"? or under

"grace"? Many are confused! Are the Ten Commandments

abolished? Does Grace do away with law? Just because our sins

are forgiven, and we are no longer under the death penalty of

the Law for our sins -- are we now FREE from the Law – are

we FREE to live however we please, without fear of future

consequences if we break God's Law? Here is what Scripture

reveals on this very important issue -- the plain teaching of

your own Bible!

William F. Dankenbring

Picture the common teaching in your own mind, if you can. A nation of Israelites, sinning, struggling under grievous bondage. Over them a harsh, stern, monstrous law, a terrible yoke of bondage. To redeem them from such miserable bondage, God sent Jesus Christ to do away with law!

Now, does that picture make much sense? Of course NOT!

There is something flagrantly wrong with this concept of God! It pictures God the Father as having made a mistake -- as being a cruel, harsh Monster.

It pictures Jesus Christ as a "smart-alecky" young man who came to do away with His Father's Law. Christ is pictured as having more wisdom and knowledge than His Father, for He saw that the Law was a harsh yoke of bondage. So He came to abolish it -- nail it to the cross!

Such a picture totally distorts the mercy, love, and goodness of God!

IF There Were No Law . . .

Think for a moment! Let's just suppose that God did abolish His Law for some inexplicable reason. Suppose He decided to do away with it. What then? Do you realize what this would mean?

This would mean that there would be no law against committing idolatry, worshipping false gods, cursing, swearing, breaking God’s Sabbath -- but more, it would mean that murder would be all right; stealing would be acceptable as well; lust, adultery, rape, every sex crime- lying, cheating, bearing false witness -- all these things would be all right!

There would be no law against them!

And since there would be no law, there would, of course, be no punishment!

Sin would be impossible, since "sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). If no law, there could be no transgression -- no sin!

You would be living in a world where EVERYTHING GOES! Nothing would be wrong. There would be no definition of right from wrong. Anything you had in mind to do would be acceptable. If you murdered your mother-in-law, you could get away with it! There would be no such thing as a judge, or a cell, a prison, an execution, or any kind of penalty -- and no hellfire!

You could do exactly as you please, regardless of how it affects other people!

You could be a real "devil," as they say. You could be a homicidal maniac, and no one would be able to have you arrested. And, spiritually, God would not be able to punish sinners since sin would not exist!

If the spiritual Law of God were nailed to the cross, then from that time nineteen hundred years ago to the present, today, sin would be nonexistent! And there would be no need of a Savior -- since there would be no need to be saved from sin! Hitler, Mussolini, and all the other arch-criminals -- Dillinger, "Pretty Boy Floyd," Al Capone, and all the rest -- would not be guilty, in God's sight!

Now, does that really make sense?

How does that strike you? Can you believe it?

And if there is no sin, from the time of Christ to the present, then there is no such thing as a sinner, no need for repentance, no need for forgiveness, no need for mercy or pardon -- no need for grace!

Absurd, isn't it!

But if you follow the reasoning of the no-law advocates through to its logical conclusion, that is where you are finally left -- that is where you end up!

But this is not the teaching of Jesus!

Was Christ "at odds" with His Father in heaven, as some say? Was it God's Law that separated man from God -- or was it sin? Just what is the Law? And what is this thing called Grace? And where does Sin enter the picture? Why did Christ have to die? What -- who -- was nailed to the cross?

No subject is more vital, more urgent, more crucial to your Salvation!

What About Faithful Abraham?

To really understand, let's go back to the beginning. Let's get the true picture of God's dealing with man!

Many assume, first of all, that law did not come until Abraham, the "father of the faithful." Notice, now, the fascinating -- and vitally important -- example of the patriarch Abraham, to whom the promises were made!

Was Abraham under grace? Did Abraham obey God's Law?

You have probably read what the apostle Paul wrote about Abraham: "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4.1-3).

Further: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness" (verses 4-5). Notice! Abraham was a man of faith. He believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Abraham did not receive the promises, including the promise of salvation, by works. What the apostle Paul means by "works" will be made plain later.

Abraham did not earn salvation -- or the promises! They were given to him by God!

Does this mean, therefore, that Abraham did not have to obey God? Does it mean, more importantly, that we do not have to obey God today?

Turn to the book of James. Let's notice what the apostle James tells us about faithful Abraham. James relates, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" (James 2:21).

Wait a minute! Doesn't that sound like a contradiction? Let's read on: "Seest thou how faith" -- now he mentions "faith" -- "wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (Verse 22).

How about that? James shows us that faith works together with works! This is no contradiction!

He continues: "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:23-24). "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (verse 26).

Abraham did not "earn" the promises. And no Christian can ever "earn" salvation! No one can ever "earn" salvation! It is not something which we receive as a result of all our deeds and works. Yet most people believe their faith earns them salvation! It isn't your faith that gives you eternal life.alone," wrote James (verse 17). How clear! Faith and works, said James under inspiration, go hand-in-hand!

God tested Abraham's faith by his obedience -- his works. Abraham met the test without flinching and dauntless courage. After showing God his willingness to obey, even if it required the life of his own son, Isaac, God confirmed the promises He had made to Abraham. Why? "Because that thou hast obeyed my voice" (Gen.22:18).

Abraham not only had faith in God -- but by faith he OBEYED his Creator! His faith went hand in hand with obedience! God later told Isaac why Abraham was blessed: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Gen.26:5).

How plain! God's spiritual Law was in force in the days of Abraham -- long, long before Moses!

Abraham obeyed God. That's what your Bible says! By faith he accepted Gods promises -- as a gift. God did not owe Abraham the promises. He gave the promises to him because Abraham was willing to obey! Abraham did not "earn" them by his works! Nevertheless, unless he had demonstrated his willingness to obey God, through his works, he would not have had the promises given him.

But the fact that Abraham's obedience was involved did not earn him salvation!

The promises came freely through God’s grace, “not of works, lest any man should boast" through God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). But works were involved. Does this sound contradictory? Christ's faith in us is a gift. We do not receive it because of all our works. All one's good deeds cannot save anyone. God gives it because of His merciful pardon and grace -- not because of works at all! James said, "Faith without works is dead, being alone." God's grace alone, by itself, will not save us, since God will not give His grace to a person who refuses to obey, who rebels against Him. Do we get the point?

Grace is simply free, undeserved, unmerited, pardon or forgiveness. God gives us grace when He forgives us our sins. But unless we are willing to obey God, and stop sinning, we will lose that forgiveness or grace.

But the fact that Abraham's obedience was involved did not earn him salvation! Read the very next verse: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

There you are! Faith withOUTworks is dead -- a dead, useless faith. There are works involved! But these works, of themselves, do not earn us salvation -- they merely demonstrate our willingness to obey Him and be submissive to His government!

God will not give salvation to any soul that He cannot govern! Before God will give us His promises, we must prove our willingness to obey Him, even as Abraham did, to the very end! There are conditions involved.

These conditions involve repentance, faith, surrender and submission to God -- as well as the condition of obedience to His authority!

But these conditions do not earn salvation. They are the conditions God sets in order that He can give you eternal life.

Could This Be You?

This illustration should help you understand!

You are sitting on murderer's row. You have just killed a man. Lonely, miserable, full of fear and terror, you wait the telltale footsteps clinking down the corridor of the prison, beckoning you to your fate.

The jury found you guilty of murder in the first degree. The stone-faced judge sentenced you to DEATH. Droplets of cold sweat break out on your forehead. You shiver with fright and dreadful anticipation.

Then, as these thoughts race through your mind, you notice footsteps. Soon a key turns in the lock of your cell door. A voice booms, "Come with me." Depressed, hopeless, you follow the guard down the hall, appalled at the sinful deed you committed. A door opens ahead of you, and suddenly you find yourself standing face to face with the warden of the prison. Fear grips you.

Then a voice calmly says, "You are free to go. Your crime has been pardoned by the governor. You are free to go."

You stagger back. You can hardly believe 'it -- free -- Free! In a state of shock, you can hardly grasp what is happening. Free! "Free to go!" You have been given a new lease on life!

Sound like a strange tale? It has happened in the past. But why do I mention it?

Because you, in God's sight, we were just like this murderer. You were in sin, and the death penalty was waiting irrevocably for you (Romans 6.23). You were doomed! But Christ set you free by paying your penalty in your stead!

Now is the released murderer free to go out and break the law? Is he free to murder someone else? Does the gift of life give him license to kill? Of course not! Such a thought is preposterous!

The murderer received pardon. Grace. If he murders again, he will go back to prison!

Even so, when a sinner repents, and accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as atonement for his sins, he comes under the grace of God. His past sins are forgiven. The death penalty for sin no longer hangs over his head.

Does this mean he can now disobey God? Does this mean he is free to do whatever he wishes? Obviously not!

The grace of God, and faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ to atone for your sins, must be accompanied by law-abiding works! If you willfully turn again to the way of sin, knowingly rejecting God's way, there remains no more sacrifice for your sins, and you will incur the death penalty once again -- this time, without any escape! (Hebrews 10:26; II Peter 2:21.) That's what your Bible says!

Can you see the point?

Salvation is a GIFT! But it is predicated on certain conditions! A sinner cannot earn salvation -- for he is already condemned. But through repentance, and the grace of God, he can receive it as a gift. He must, however, meet the twin conditions of faith and obedience, even as faithful Abraham did, setting us an example!

What About God's LAW?

Abraham, we have found, obeyed God's Law. His faith was combined with obedience. But, what about Christians?

"Aren't Christians under grace, not law?" you ask.

"Isn't God's Law a harsh monster? -- a yoke of bondage?"

"Wasn't it but a temporary substitute until the coming of Jesus Christ?"

Notice what God's Word has to say!

Abraham kept God's Commandments, His statutes, and His laws (Genesis 26:5). Speaking of God's Law, David was inspired to write, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). He added, "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart -- the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes" (verse 8).

Notice! The law David was speaking about is a good, pure, perfect law. There is nothing wrong with it! It is not a harsh yoke of bondage -- a stern, exacting, monstrous, evil thing! David wrote, "The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness" (Psalm 111:7-8).

Can you believe it?

The law of God which David spoke of endures FOREVER! It is an EVERLASTING Law! This obviously means it is in effect, today

Clearly, then, it has not been done away! Isn't that simple -- easy to understand?

Now notice what the apostle Paul himself had to say about the law of God: "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7.12).

Paul went on, "For we know that the law is spiritual. . ." (verse 14). Those things which are spiritual are eternal.

Now I ask you -- would God institute a holy, just, good law -- a SPIRITUAL law, and ordain it FOREVER -- and then turn night around, and abolish it? Do you believe in such a fickle, changeable God? Do you believe in a God who doesn't know His own mind?

Utterly absurd, isn't it? Let's be honest!

But WHY Law?

But what is the purpose of God's Law? Why did God institute law in the first place? Was God's Law just a temporary measure for ancient Israel?

Why do we have national laws and state laws today? Why do we have motor vehicles laws, regulating the operation of automobiles and the flow of traffic? Isn't the answer rather obvious?

Men make laws for the well-being of the public. Laws are made to maintain order. Without traffic laws, for instance, city streets would be a scene of sheer chaos. Mayhem would be the common result!

Without penal laws and criminal statutes, crime would go unpunished. The lawless and greedy would be free to ravage society, without fear of punishment. Men's laws are intended to guarantee liberty!

The same great principle applies to God's spiritual Law. God made His laws for our good. They tell us which way to go. They reveal to us the difference between right and wrong!

Few people realize it, but every human being has a carnal, defiant, God-rejecting, rebellious human nature. God says, "Because the carnal [natural, normal] mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked' (Jeremiah 17.9).

When born, we know nothing -- absolutely nothing. Everything you know today, or think you know, came into your mind since the time you were a little squalling baby.

You were born into Satan's world. You were born in complete ignorance of the spiritual law of God -- without knowing how you should live and govern your life. But God did not leave the human race without this vital knowledge. He gave mankind His holy law to regulate human conduct. He gave a law which explains how to live, how to be happy, how to have an abundant, joyous and brimful life!

Sadly, most men have ignored that way -- that law. And even most preachers today scoff at it, spurn it, and claim it is done away! When will mankind learn? When will we see?

God's spiritual laws are in motion today. They are eternal, immutable, inexorable -- and binding on every one of us! To break one of them is like breaking the law of gravity. There is always a fearful penalty which automatically follows every infraction!

God not only created physical laws for the control of the Universe -- laws of chemistry, physics, mathematics -- laws like the law of gravity and inertia. But God also created spiritual laws for man's happiness -- laws which automatically regulate man's relationship with God, and with his fellow man!

Just like the physical laws governing matter and energy, these spiritual laws are always binding. You break them, and they break you! You may ignore them, but they never ignore you. They are always present; whenever broken, they always exact a penalty commensurate with the offense.

But they were created for your good!

What is wrong, for example, with a spiritual law which tells you to love your neighbor? What is wrong with a law which says you should love God with your whole being -- your very Creator, who gives you every breath you breathe?

What's wrong with a law which spells out how you should behave, whom you should worship, forbids you to commit murder, or steal, or commit adultery with another's wife, or lie, or commit other things which are bad for you? Is such a law wrong?

What's wrong with it?

Hand-in-hand with the modern "no law" concept is the current plunge into gross immorality and sexual promiscuity, the rising crime rate, and the threat of explosive racial violence! Where ministers teach there is "no law," there is the growing menace of lawlessness among the people!

It is time we learned respect for God's Law! Listen to these words of the apostle John:

"And hereby we do know that we know him, IF we keep his commandments" (I John 2:3). John was so positive of his statement, that he continued, in strong language: "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him" (verse 4).

John was inspired to write these words! This scripture was inspired decades after Jesus was nailed to the cross!

It means exactly what it says!

But back to the original question. Since the scriptures do not contradict (John 10:35), and since every scripture is given by divine inspiration (II Timothy 3:16), how do we explain those verses which might seem, on the surface, to give the impression God's Law is not binding today?

This is one of the most misunderstood matters in the Bible! This is the rock over which more theologians stumble and fall, than perhaps any other!

They have assumed, falsely -- that the Law of God, the Ten Commandments -- and the "law of sacrifices" -- are one and the same! Nothing could be further from the truth.

Let's understand! There were TWO PARTS to God’s Law!

TWO PARTS TO GOD’S LAW -- One Eternal, One Temporary

This is the crux of the matter!

It is so simple, a child can understand!

First, then, remember that God’s spiritual Law -- the Ten Commandments and all those commandments based on them -- did not start with Moses! The Law of God long anteceded the time of Moses! In fact, God's spiritual Law has been in effect since creation!

Hard to believe? Notice!

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's instruction, and ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they sinned. What is "sin"?

Very few people know the Bible definition of "sin." Here it is, given by the apostle John: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW" (I John 3:4). There it is! Sin is breaking God's Law. Adam and Eve sinned. Therefore they broke God's Law! They stole what was not theirs and broke the eighth commandment. God's Law was then in existence! They "transgressed" against God. But, we read in Romans, ". . . where no law is, there is no transgression" (Romans 4.15).

Isn't that plain? So there was a Law long before Moses!

Adam and Eve broke God's Commandments. As we have already seen they dishonored their only Parent -- God -- and thereby broke the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12). They stole something which wasn't theirs (Exodus 20:15). They coveted something which did not belong to them (Exodus 20:17). Three of God's basic Ten Commandments already broken!

The apostle Paul said, "Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin. . ." (Romans 5:12). Death is the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). Adam sinned. And yet, Paul added, ". . . sin is not imputed where there is no law" (Romans 5:13). But sin was imputed. Adam therefore broke God's Law! And he died -- and so have his children. "Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression [Adam knew better], who is the figure of him [Christ] that was to come" (verse 14).

Sin was now in the world.

Sin is the transgression of God's law! Death is the penalty of sin, and death reigned from Adam to Moses -- for sin is not imputed where there is no law. That's Paul's teaching. Those are the plain words of the New Testament.

Gods law was in effect from Adam to Moses! Nothing could be clearer!

But then, exactly what did Moses bring?

Another LAW Added

The Bible does, very plainly, speak of a law which came with Moses. The Law which the legalistic Pharisees tried to bind on the brethren was called "the Law of Moses." We read that a great controversy arose in the New Testament Church which involved the "law of Moses" and the matter of "circumcision." Luke wrote in Acts, chapter 15, "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which believed" -- these were Pharisees who believed Jesus was the Messiah -- "saying, That it was needful to circumcize them [Gentiles], and to command them to keep the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). What was the real "problem" here?

In verse 6 we read, "And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter." After much discussion, the apostles ruled that God had given the Holy Spirit to Gentiles who believed on Christ, "and put no difference between us and them [Jews and Gentiles], purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a YOKE upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they" (Acts 15:5-11).

Let's understand this! These Pharisees were arguing that Gentiles, in order to be saved, had to be physically circumcized, and to "convert" to Judaism! They claimed that Gentiles had to become "physical Jews" by undergoing the rite of circumcision, as well as baptism, and come under the obligation to obey all Jewish religious law -- the whole "law of Moses," which, in that day, included the observation of all the Jewish "halachah" -- the rules and restrictions added by generations of Rabbis from the time of Ezra down to the very day of the apostles! This included all the minutiae, and detailed 39 laws of "Sabbath" restrictions, and washings and the "traditions of the elders" -- things which were a "YOKE," in the words of the apostle Peter! (Acts 15:10). Paul speaks of it as a "yoke of bondage" in Galatians 5:1.

In other words, the Pharisee believers were teaching that Gentiles had to become "Jews" first, before they could become "Christians"! They had to first convert to Judaism, and only then could they become acknowledged as believers in Christ! They had to obey ALL the Jewish legal requirements established by generations of Rabbis, and their interpretations of the fine points of the Torah, and Jewish tradition!

But Christ Himself had already ruled on these points, in actuality. He told the Pharisees, who accused His disciples of breaking the law of Moses by transgressing the "traditions of the elders" (Matt.15:1-2). However, Jesus hurled their accusation back into their own teeth, saying,"Why do ye also transgress the law of God by your tradition?" (verse 3). He went on to say, "Thus have ye made the law of God of none effect by your tradition" (v.6). In other words, the Jews over time had added so many "halachic" principles and rules, in their legislation, in interpreting the Law of Moses, that they had strayed from the very Law itself and had developed a legal system which, in reality, was contrary to and in violation of the spirit of the original Torah, or law of God!

The argument, then, was not over the law of God itself -- called the "law of Moses" in the Scriptures, because it was first codified and laid out in full during the time of Moses, and through the revelation God gave to His servant Moses (see Ezra 7:6, 10). It was over the “traditions” the Pharisees added to the Law, and their perversions of the Law!

Now, let us continue the story in Acts 15. After considering this matter fully, the apostles decided that the Pharisaical believers were dead wrong! Conversion to Judaism, indicated by requiring Gentile believers to be circumsized and keep the entire law of Moses (including the traditions of the elders, by direct implication), was NOT necessary for salvation!

But notice. After making this fundamental, paramount decision, the apostles then decided to write a general letter to the Gentile believers throughout the Roman Empire, a very pointed epistle. James, the brother of Christ, and the apostle over the Jerusalem church, declared, "Wherefore my sentence is . . . that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, BEING READ IN THE SYNAGOGUES EVERY SABBATH DAY" (Acts 15:19-21).

What is this? Why did James stress only these commandments? Was he ignoring or neglecting the laws against murder, stealing, taking God's name in vain, coveting, bearing false witness, Sabbath breaking -- many of the very Ten Commandments? Of course not! When we read this entire passage IN CONTEXT, we see that first of all, James is singling out specific issues which Gentile brethren would be confronted with in their local communities! In Gentile society, in those days, idolatrous pollutions were rampant, sexual immorality and promiscuity were also very commonplace, and meats containing blood -- improperly killed -- were the norm. God forbids His people to get involved in any sort of idol worship, sexual promiscuity, and His dietary laws were the first thing He stressed to ancient Israel as to how they were to be "different" from Gentile nations -- how they were to be "holy" and set apart as a holy nation unto God (Lev.7:27; 11:1-47). Since these things were so common in Gentile society, James felt it advisable to give special prominence to warning the Gentile brethren to avoid these sorts of contaminations and spiritual pollutions.

But notice, now! James went on to explain WHY it was unnecessary to mention all the other laws of God, which also should be observed, because, as he said, these other laws were already being preached EVERY SABBATH DAY, in the synagogues throughout the Empires, which both converted Jews and Gentiles were then attending!

James literally said that the law of Moses -- that is, the law of God -- was being "read in the synagogue every sabbath day" (Acts 15:21). Why would he even bring this up, unless the point he is making is that the Gentile brethren would be HEARING this instruction from the rest of the law of God every Sabbath day, in the synagogue?

The Galatians Problem

This same problem of some believers insisting Gentiles had to be circumcized and keep all the requirements of Judaism, surfaced also in the province of Galatia. The apostle Paul was deeply concerned about this "Judaizing" problem, this "yoke of bondage" being forced upon Gentile believers by false brethren from the Pharisee party (Gal.5:1). He lamented to the Galatians, saying "there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ" (Gal.1:7).

What was Paul talking about?

Notice! Paul points out to them that 14 years after his own conversion and calling (Gal.2:1), he had to go up to Jerusalem, as Paul put it, "because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily [secretly] to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" -- that is, to be circumcized, and to keep all the halachic principles of Rabbinic teaching, and their legalistic interpretations of the Law of God! (Gal.2:4). Paul did not put up with this nonsense for one minute (verse 5).

The Galatians, unfortunately, had been subjected to this false teaching of salvation through physical circumcision and the keeping of the law, and were in danger of falling away from the truth of God. Therefore, Paul felt constrained to write to them about the problem, and in doing so, he explained the TRUTH about the "law" and its place in our lives. Notice!

The apostle Paul wrote: "And this I say, that the covenant [of promise] that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was 430 years after, cannot disannul, that it could make the promise of none effect" (Gal.3:17).

Paul was here speaking clearly of some aspect of the law of Moses. What was this which was “added”?

The Law of Sacrifices and Rituals

Let's go back into the days of Moses, for a moment, and see.

Moses, you will remember, was the one whom God used to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. He was a type of Christ, who delivered us from sin. After crossing the Red Sea in awesome glory, the Israelites came to the Arabian desert, and the hot sweltering sun. They began to murmur and complain, bellyache and grumble. It was not long before men openly began complaining and plotting rebellion against Moses, and against God (Exo.16:2-8). They were riled up, and in a flagrantly sinful attitude of mind!

What does God say? Notice!

"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" (verse 28).

Notice! This was weeks before they came to Mount Sinai! This was almost immediately after they crossed the Red Sea! Yet, already, plainly, God's laws were in force -- and the Israelites were found disobedient and rebellious.

Consequently, God did two things. He reiterated the basic spiritual Laws He had given mankind -- the Ten Commandments, and statutes and judgments (Gen.26:5). Then He added an entirely NEW Law -- a law involving the Levitical Priesthood, which He brought into service, and laws concerning rituals, sacrifices, washings, and ordinances involving the Sanctuary or Temple. This law was added because of DISOBEDIENCE to God’s spiritual Law – it was added to TEACH them the habit of OBEDIENCE, and LESSONS regarding the enormity of sin, and its forgiveness.

The entire body of Law was called "the Law of Moses," because God used Moses as His mediator with Israel. The whole body or corpus of Law came through Moses. However, it was divided into two distinct parts -- one consisting of statutes and civil laws for the community, based on the Ten Commandments. The other was the ceremonial laws involving the Levitical priesthood, sacrifices offerings, and rituals. Thus there were TWO LAWS given at Mount Sinai -- the Ethical Law, or Moral Law, governing man's relationship with God and his neighbor -- and the Sacrificial Law!

The sacrificial law consisted of ceremonial washings, various laws of offerings and sacrifices, and carnal, physical ordinances enjoined upon the people and the Levitical Priesthood. It was not a spiritual law. It could save no one.

Then why was it given to ancient Israel?

Let the apostle Paul give us the answer! [What purpose did the ritual law serve?] "It was added because of transgressions, till the seed [Christ] should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Galatians 3:19).

Did you catch that? The "law " that was added -- the Levitical Priesthood with all the sacrifices and rituals -- was added -- why? "BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS"!

For one law to be "added" becuase of "transgressions," then there had to be another Law which was being transgressed, broken, by the Israelites! What Law?

Remember, God had said, "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" (Exodus 16.28). They had been breaking God's eternal spiritual law, the Ten Commandments -- as well as all those Laws which are based on and derived from the Ten Commandments!

Because Israel had been breaking God's Law, He added another special law -- the laws involving the whole Levitical Priesthood, sacrifices and offerings! WHY? -- to teach them the lesson of repentance and of obedience! To teach them to acknowledge their sins, He gave them certain ceremonial washings, offerings, and commanded sacrifices, and carnal ordinances, as a foreshadow of things to come. What things? The coming of the true sacrifice for our sins, Christ Jesus Himself! And the Holy Spirit which cleans us up spiritually within. These duties, sacrifices, washings, taught them their need for a coming Savior and Gods Holy Spirit.

As Paul tells us in Hebrews, this new law "stood only in meats and drinks [meal and drink offerings], and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them UNTIL THE TIME OF REFORMATION" (Hebrews 9:10). These rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices were "a FIGURE for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience" (Heb.9:9).

Paul also wrote of this sacrificial law, "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not cease to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. For in those sacrifices there is a REMEMBRANCE again made of SINS every year" (Hebrews 10:1-3).

The sacrificial law did not atone for sin -- but it REMINDED THE P