Was Jesus and undercover legalist?
Did Jesus talk about the law?
Was there a place where Jesus stated specific laws that must be followed?
Please read Matthew 5:17- 7:12
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Some legalist want to use this passage of scripture to like a club to smash Grace and say, “look you have to follow the law.” So I would like to really take a look at it as it is always possible that I could be wrong.
To abolish means to destroy or to end and let me state for the record the law will not end and in fact Jesus increased the law while He was here in the very passage that I hope you just read.
To fulfill means to complete or to accomplish and let me state for the record that accepting Christ completes me in a way I could never be completed out side of His accomplishment on the cross. I have nothing good about me, nothing holy or pure but I am complete and made whole- Why?
JESUS
Any other answer is self based and ego driven. This whole long passage is designed to poke a jab at Pharisaical externalism which was and still is a huge problem “the outside of the cup is clean” but the inside can only be cleaned by one source and that has nothing to do with what you do but what He did.
Vs. 20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
In case you are not aware these guys worked very hard at following all the law in fact their lives depended on it- “but the law made none holy.”
Now here is a challenge to you show me one verse in this passage where Jesus said, “you have to obey this law” other than, “Do not judge, or you will be judged.”
Here is the best part- take a look at Matthew 7:12
“So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.”
I hear so many people say they struggle with sin. Yes you do and you always will as long as you are under the law. “But He who the Son sets free shall be free indeed.”
Are you still struggling?
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.”
The reason you struggle is to learn. Trust me even this week I learned some amazing lessons due to some hurt I am facing. So “ASK” “SEEK” and “KNOCK” and the Father will heal you as only He can and He will show you things that only He can.
Freedom comes through Love the Love that hung Him on the cross and the Love that He wants to show you right now by setting you Free. Free to Love, Free to Be and Free to Forgive yourself and others.
