Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Ten Commandments (3) - New Covenant

We no longer live under to old covenant. The basis of the new covenant is that Jesus fulfilled the conditions of the old covenant. He perfectly obeyed each of the Ten Commandments throughout his life. We receive salvation through trusting in everything that Jesus accomplished; including his perfect life and perfect death. The benefits of the new covenant are received through faith in Jesus, not through obeying the Ten Commandments. So those who believe that we live under grace and not law are correct.

Does this mean that the Ten Commandments are no longer relevant to the Christian life? The answer is No and Yes. The most important point is that they are no longer relevant as a basis of salvation. We have a much better way of salvation through Jesus. However, the Ten Commandment have three other uses that are still relevant to the Christian life. I will deal with these in the next few posts.

1 comment:

Steve Scott said...

"The most important point is that they are no longer relevant as a basis of salvation. We have a much better way of salvation through Jesus."

Ron, I'm not sure what you mean exactly. I would argue that the Law never was a basis for salvation. Paul indicated this in Romans and Galatians. Covenant blessing, yes, but not salvation. Jesus has always been the way of salvation. Adam and Eve were given animal skins (shedding of blood), Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, the whole sacraficial system pointed to Christ, then He came in due time.

The false Jews tried to achieve their own righteousness through the law (Rom. 10:1), but God's true people rested in Him.