The Law Fulfilled

[0:00] A pastor's reflections. The law fulfilled. Exodus 22-3 The law of God can be a complicated matter, especially for the New Testament believer.

[0:54] All of mankind is morally accountable to the moral law of a moral God. But at the same time, the scriptures tell us that the New Testament believer is no longer under law.

[1:10] That his relationship to God is no longer based upon the law, but love. So what does that mean in regards to law? Shouldn't I be more apt to keep the law now that it has been written upon my heart?

[1:26] Wouldn't that, in a sense, make me more accountable to now keeping the law? The law has been fulfilled in Christ. And so we no longer relate to God according to law, deeds of right and wrong.

[1:41] The matter of the law is now one that is inward. Has the law been written upon my heart and love? The love of God in the person and sacrifice of Jesus?

[1:52] Or am I operating as if my deeds and heart are detached? Jesus links the inward and the outward by pointing out that the condition of the heart indicates the true position of my relationship to God and his law.

[2:09] Living under the law would cause us to operate as deeds first, heart second.

[2:41] In Christ, we are now judged on the basis of love, heart, with deeds following. All that is done out of love is accepted by God, and he will then sort out the outworking of it.

[2:55] John 14, 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. Therefore, we are not judged on the outward deeds of the law, but the inward deeds of the heart.

[3:08] Do I have a substitute for God in my heart? Then it doesn't matter if I have an external image or not. Do I operate in a relationship of love with God?

[3:20] Then the outworking of the commands will take care of themselves, and they won't be at odds with my heart, my new heart. Is the principle still true that the law is good?

[3:33] Of course. But I do not try to honor that through an outward act alone that is separate from the inward act of love and relationship I have with Jesus.

[3:45] Romans 14, 23 For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. I do not keep God's commands perfectly, but I do have a perfected heart in Christ.

[3:59] As he works in me a life of living, not under the law, but in love, I then respond to his commands in love as he directs me. All this is for the believer who keeps God's commands because of love, not law.

[4:16] Does this mean we keep it perfectly, or that we each outwork that truth exactly the same? No. But it means we will be moving in that direction, and our lives will desire his commands, not contradict them.

[4:33] Remember, all that is born out of the love of Christ is now accepted by God. And it is that love that then works out in our lives.

[4:43] Philippians 2, 12 and 13 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[5:00] For it is God which works in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. Father, how thankful we are that you gave your one and only Son to not only be the payment for my sins, but the fulfillment of the law.

[5:19] There is now no law or sin that can separate me from your love. Help me today to not be focused on living out the deeds of the law, but living in the fulfillment of your love.

[5:34] Amen. Amen.