Free From The Law

Hebrews 7:12-19

When a person sets out to get their drivers license, they take some classroom instruction. If they pass it, they can obtain a learner’s permit which allows them to drive only if accompanied by an experienced driver, or in some states, a qualified instructor. When they have developed sufficient skill, they are allowed to take the test to obtain a drivers license.

Testing for a drivers license is much different than that for a learner’s permit. They have to prove that the vehicle they are to drive meets state safety regulations, that there is a valid license and registration, and that they have insurance. They cannot be observed by their instructors, but must be tested by an approved test administrator, who is to observe their skill in various situations. After all, the prospective driver is not trying to learn how, he is to demonstrate competency. While he drives in both cases, the requirements are much different.

The rules are different in the training program than in actual practice. As a learner, the instructor is responsible for his student’s actions. He is supposed to only allow the student to drive in settings that are within his skill level. This is why the rules are less stringent. When he obtains his own license, the student is no longer limited to safe situations. He must be able to handle whatever arises. That requires a different standard.

Galatians 3:24-25 tells us that the law was a training system to bring us to Christ. To function in the real situation requires a total change. The new driver is required to satisfy the test administrator, rather than his instructor, and to meet legal requirements that his instructor took care of before. To really meet God’s standards, we had to have a different high priest. We also had to meet different standards.

“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:12-14)

What many do not realize is that the Old Testament law was the real change, lowering the standards, and the rewards, to serve as a training program. It allowed normal human beings to serve as high priests, and fleshly laws to set the standards. Galatians 3:16-17 explains this. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”

Even human contracts cannot just be set aside because someone wants to change the rules. The commitment was to Abraham, more than 430 years before the law was given. The Mosaic law could never replace or supersede those promises. The law was placed in effect because of the wickedness of man until Christ came according to Galatians 3:19. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

The promise was made under the standard of Melchisedec’s priesthood. To meet that standard would require the same priesthood. The promise was to go into effect when Christ came. Christ was that priest. Notice the author’s statement.

“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)

Just as the obtaining the driver’s license sets one beyond the requirements of the learner’s permit, faith in Christ makes us no longer subject to the law. It no longer applies to the Christian. Galatians 3:13-14 informs us, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The law was unable to bring us to perfection because it depended on sinful flesh. It’s effect on those who believe had to be eliminated.

"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Hebrews 7:18-19)

Romans 8:3-4 makes the same point, and shows that Christ didn’t just set the law aside, but he fulfilled it’s terms so it is no longer in effect. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Although the law was a temporary substitute for the promise, It’s terms had to be met before they could be set aside. Jesus was quite clear that he was not going to just ignore it in Matthew 5:17-18. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

By trusting Christ, we do not make the law meaningless, but rather demonstrate it’s importance. According to Romans 3:31. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” At the same time, we are no longer bound by the law because as Romans 10:4 tells us, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

This is a wonderful fact because it frees us from so much pressure. I do not have to keep the law as a Christian, because I have already fulfilled it in Christ. If my keeping may salvation depended on my keeping the law, I would have a problem. Galatians 5:4 tells us we would no longer be saved by his gift. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” If I were to mess up, even unintentionally, it would be to bad. James 2:10 tells us “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

As Hebrews 6:4-6 says, there would be no hope. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

How wonderful to know that I am kept by the power of the almighty God as I Peter 1:5-6 reflects. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”