Categories of the Law

.... Paul told us that the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good; but he also warned us that for this to be true we must know how to use it lawfully (Romans 7:12; 1 Timothy 1:8). This brings us to the question of its proper application, and to answer that question we must divide the law into three basic categories: the sacrificial law, the civil law, and the righteous requirements of the law.
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.... The sacrificial law was a chief feature of the Old Testament. In this sense it pertained to sacrifices for sin and uncleanness, for peace offerings, trespass offerings, etc., and therefore Paul referred to it as "The law of commandments contained in ordinances" (Ephesians 2:15). But in reality, those sacrifices were intended as symbolic:

.... "For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect."

(Hebrews 10:1)

.... In other words, the typology in those sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Himself. They do offer many fascinating insights to help us understand the implications of sin and of the cross, but in a practical sense there is no need to stop and sort them out at this time (Hebrews 9:1-5). The average Christian need only understand that Jesus became the final sacrifice in every way, and this entire division of the law has been fulfilled in Him:

.... "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness."

(Zechariah 13:1)

.... "... having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace . . ."

(Ephesians 2:15)

.... The second category of the law may be referred to as the civil law. This pertains to keeping an orderly society, especially in relation to crimes and punishments. Paul describes our relationship to this part of the law as follows:

.... "knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust."

(1 Timothy 1:9-11)

.... In other words, by our faith in the gospel we have become a new creation, re-made according to Jesus’ own image in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). We have actually become partakers of the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Since our new character has become like God’s own character, we are no longer at fault in the things that are contrary to Him, for we are no longer contrary. The civil law will simply not apply to us because it was meant to apply to murderers, liars, thieves, etc. and Christians no longer do such things:

.... "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

(Philippians 2:15)

.... The third category of the law is called ‘the righteous requirement of the law.’ and this is the part that is fulfilled in those who walk according to the spirit (Romans 8:4). Generally speaking, this is the part of the law that describes good, godly conduct, so it most directly applies to our daily living today. We will discuss it further in our next posting.

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Daily Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5