Reading the Law in the Context of the Finished Work
In the New Covenant, the law cannot be read or preached out of the context of Jesus' finished work. 2 Cor 3:15-16 says, "When Moses [the law] is read, a veil lies in the heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."
How do we preach from the Old Covenant in the context of His finished work? Let me illustrate with a common example based on a favorite verse of preachers. Deut 6:5 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."
The objective has been fulfilled by Christ
This is a good verse to tell people that they must love God. But because this verse is part of the law, it focuses on loving God with all of one's ability - "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." The problem is that no one could fulfill that commandment. It was given to show forth our failure so that we could turn to Christ (Gal 3:24) and Christ has already come.
When we fall short, Satan the accuser will say, "Well, did you love God enough?" He will show you where you have failed. You will feel condemned (2 Cor 3:9) and end up further from God. This is the result of preaching the law without turning to the Lord (2 Cor 3:15).
Since this is such an important verse, have you wondered why it was never quoted in any of the New Covenant Epistles? This is because Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf. He loved God even unto death, and became a propitiation for our sins. We have received God's love into our hearts, which empowers us to love Him as a response.
Let us consider what the apostles wrote in the light of the finished work of Christ.
(1 John 4:10)
In this is love, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The focus in our dispensation of grace is on what He has done instead of our self-performance under law. It points us back to the finished work of Christ. When we receive His grace, we are empowered to love. His love will transform us.
(1 John 4:19)
We love Him BECAUSE He FIRST LOVED us.
(Eph 3:19)
...to KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD.
The focus is also on what He continues to do in our hearts through His Spirit who lives in us.
(Rom 5:5)
...the love of God has been POURED OUT IN OUR HEARTS by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Therefore, when we read the law in the light of grace, we no longer focus on our self-performance but Jesus' finished work. The veil is lifted and we receive the transforming grace of God which empowers us to live victoriously in the New Covenant.
----Extracted from 'Walking on Water' by Joshua Lye----------
