How Christians Interpret the Law Given by Moses

REFLECTION ON THE CHRISTIAN’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE MOSAIC LAW

The place and role of the Mosaic Law in a Christian’s life is a significant issue addressed by the Apostle Paul, particularly in his letter to the Romans. It is the position of this paper that as Paul systematically unpacks his theological teachings, he also provides crucial insights into how followers of Christ should view and relate to Mosaic Law. For instance, Paul makes it clear in Romans that while the Mosaic Law has an important purpose, Christians are not under obligation to the law for justification or sanctification. Regarding justification, Paul states that \\\\\\\"by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight\\\\\\\" (Romans 3:20). The law can only make one conscious of sin (Romans 3:19-20), but it cannot remove sin. In addition, justification comes by grace alone through faith in Christ (Romans 3:21-26).

Concerning sanctification, Paul explains that believers have “died to the Law through the body of Christ . . . that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4). Likewise, Paul compares being under the law to being bound to a husband since only death breaks that bond (Romans 7:1-3). The purpose of the law was to show the sinfulness of sin (Romans 7:7-13), but it ultimately empowers sin in the flesh in Romans 7:14-25. For instance, in Romans 7:14-21-23, the point is specifically made that, “. . . Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”