Page 43 - Laying Down the Law

Be Ye Perfect

he Law of Moses does not contain the full substance of the mind, character, and
Twill of the Father. These things are comprehended only by the Spirit.

I Corinthians 2:10-12
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. .. Now we have
received... the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have
been freely given to us by God.

The Law was given by God to His people UNTIL that which is perfect should
come. The Law was an interim measure that fulfilled the purposes of God. The Law
revealed to men their lack of spiritual life. It showed men their need of a Savior.
Through its types and shadows it pointed to the redemptive work of Christ. The Law
was not the redemptive work itself. It was not a means to attain righteousness, and
it did not fully disclose the will of the Father. The Law could not make men perfect.

Hebrews 7:18-19
For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because
of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the
other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw
near to God.

In the previous chapter I gave an example of one area of the Old Testament Law,
revealing it to be a shadow of life in Christ. This area was tithing. The Law required
that men give to Yahweh a tithe of all their increase. In Christ, men are brought to
give to Yahweh EVERYTHING.

Luke 14:33
‘So, then, every one of you who doth not take leave of all that he himself hath,
is not able to be my disciple.’
[Young’s Literal Translation]

I Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been
bought with a price...

Romans 14:7-9
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we
live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live
or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again,
that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.