SATISFYING THE LAW OF GOD
Jesus Christ came to satisfy the Law given to Moses which condemns us; and to enable us to live free by the Law of the Spirit (Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:10-14). Jesus told his disciple after he was crucified and resurrected that he fulfilled everything “that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms… and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” Mark 24:44-48). The Lord gave repentant believers the Holy Spirit to enable them to live by the spirit of God’s Law (John 14:15-17; Matthew 22:37-40).
SPIRIT OF THE LAW VS LETTER OF THE LAW
The Word of God states: “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:2).
We can see the Lord’s emphasis on the Spirit rather than the letter of the Law in the way he treated a woman who was caught in adultery, and the way he treated her accusers.
On an occasion when Jesus was speaking to a crowd, expert teachers of the Law, Scribes and Pharisees, brought a woman to him whom they claimed was caught in adultery. They asked Jesus if she should be stoned to death as the Mosaic Law prescribed? Jesus stooped down and began to write on the ground. He looked up and said, let the one who is without sin cast the first stone. He continued to write on the ground. When he looked up again, everyone had left. Jesus then ask the woman, does anyone condemn you? She said, no one, sir. The Lord said , neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more (John8:1-11).
Jesus would have us to understanding we all need help and forgiveness from God because of our sins (Romans 3:23; Rom. 6:23). And that we should be tenderhearted and forgiving to others as in Christ God forgives us (Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:9).
LIVING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW
To live by the Spirit of the Law, first, we need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and receive his Spirit.. Then we need to obey his new covenant commandments.
Jesus said, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”–
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40).
The Lord said if you love me keep my new covenant commandments (John 14:15). This includes a new commandment which he gave: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
In doing these things with the help of the Holy Spirit, we satisfy the Spirit of God’s Law.
