Text – Galatians 3:24-25 – “Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school master”
In the past few days, I have given us an introduction on the subject of Spiritual laws. The main points being that we must accept the entire scripture as the inerrant word of God, and that we must uphold the unity of scripture, that is to say, there can be no contradictions contained in Scriptures.
I mentioned that one reason why there seems to be contradictions when we examine what the Bible says about Spiritual laws is that there are three types of laws given by God – Moral Laws, Religious Ceremonial Laws, and Civil Laws.
1. Moral Laws
These are the moral codes and ethics of behavior – majorly the ten (10) commandments. This law is somewhat a reflection of God’s character, and his design of this world
2. Religious Ceremonial Laws
These are the prescribed rituals for worship and atonement of sins. They are the ones vested in the Levitical priesthood, having to do with approaching God’s presence, different sacrifices and offerings, dietary laws, all the proclaimed feasts etc.
3. Civil Laws
This was more like the God-given constitution for the nation of Israel. They were the laws that relate to the people in their national and political life. Many, although not all, of the civil laws deal with moral issues and are thus usually tied with moral laws.
So then, there are moral laws that stand alone, and there are civil laws that prescribe punishment that punishment and restitution for breaking those moral laws.
For example, God’s moral law forbids murder (Exodus 20:13), whereas civil law prescribes death as the punishment for murder (Num. 35:16- 21). We must understand this distinction as we approach scriptures to examine what God has to say to the New Testament believer on the subject of Laws.
Having understood these distinctions, we can now carefully examine the different scriptures about the abolition or continuance of the “Law”, and find out which law particularly was abolished, and which one was established.
May the lord open the eyes of our understanding in Jesus Name.
PRAYER
Lord, please open the eyes of my understanding to comprehend your eternal truth about spiritual laws. Help me to receive your word just as it is, and not exalt my rationalizations above your eternal truths in Jesus Name.
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