The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19–20
But there is a proper ministry of the Law (1 Tim. 1:9ff) that is not contrary to the glorious message of God’s grace. Jesus wants us to know more of the righteousness of God, obey it, and share it with others. The moral law of God has not changed. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament epistles and commanded to believers. (The exception is the Sabbath commandment, which was given as a sign to Israel, see Neh. 9:14.)
We do not obey an external Law because of fear. No, believers today obey an internal Law and live because of love. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Word and enables us to obey. Sin is still sin, and God still punishes sin. In fact, we in this present age are more responsible because we have been taught and given more! 1
Personal Encouragement
The law demands perfection, or death. Jesus desires our obedience so we can have fellowship with Him. Would you rather have a relationship with God that is governed by fear and failure, or a relationship established on love, grace, and faith?
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
Without His amazing grace, the world would be a graceless mess.
A Prayer
Lord, I bow before You in humility for another measure of Your grace.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
