By Stewart Topping
Last week I said the most important thing to understand was Salvation. The second most important thing is that the Law is no more because Grace has taken its place. A quick way to remember the difference is:
The Law was before the cross, Grace is after the cross.
Jesus told us that he finished the work that God had given him which is the completion of the law.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave me to do. John 17:4 (KJV)
The law required a sacrifice for sin. It was the required payment for the sin of Adam that passed to all humans, which required a payment called redemption. The sacrifices of Lambs and Pigeon did not satisfy the requirement of the Law and had to repeat yearly as a reminder of the need for a perfect sacrifice. The sacrifice had to be perfect without blemish, without sin. The Law tried to control the flesh of man.
12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Heb 10:12-18 (KJV)
Jesus died on the cross once for our sins and then sat down on the right hand of God. Why, because He was the perfect sacrifice, a lamb without sin required by the law. Now the Law has been fulfilled. Where the Law had failed the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, has succeeded.
The new covenant will be written in our hearts and our minds, not on paper or stone as the Law was. God accomplished that by giving us the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul calls it the dispensation of Grace; the dispensation of the Law is complete and finished. Grace allows us to accept our redemption in the finished work of Jesus. After these days in vs. 16 is “after our redemption”.
God said in verse 17, I will not remember your sins and iniquities no more and in vs. 18 there is no more offering of sin required. Jesus death caused the end of the requirement of the Law, He said it is finished. Remember the Law could only condemn us and keep us separated from God, but accepting the free gift of God can set us free and allow us to have a relationship with God.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)