 PART 1: Is Old Testament scripture really relevant to Christians? Jesus explained, "Think not that I come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17) Jesus came to fulfill the law not to do away with it. To fulfill means to carry out something promised, to do something required, or to complete. Jesus intends that the spiritual requirements of God's law be fulfilled in His follower's lives. Our salvation is no longer by the works of the law, but is now thorough faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, and not the continual sacrifice of animals. "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28) Can we then just throw out the Old Testament? The Bible tells us that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17). "For whatsoever things were written aforetime [O.T. scriptures], were written for our learning." (Romans15:4), the history of Israel "happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition." (1 Corinthians 10:11) "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea [nay, may it be not], we establish the law." (Romans 3:31) "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers [those who come to make the sacrifices] thereunto perfect." (Hebrews 10:1) All of the above scripture weaves together the pattern of God's plan but from different perspectives. Basically, salvation under the Old Testament law was obtained by the continual sacrificing of animals. This was only a shadow, a type, an example, a pattern of Jesus Christ the Messiah who came to fulfill all of these things in Himself as He became the final atoning sacrifice. Therefore we have New Testament salvation through the blood of Jesus which is APART from the works of the law under the Old Testament which was the continual sacrifice of animals. Having our salvation through the blood of Jesus and APART or SEPARATE from the works of the law ESTABLISHES and FULFILLS the law according to it's right purpose and function. God's plan of redemption for mankind moved through the Old Covenant established on the blood of animals to the New Covenant established by the blood of Jesus. Being reconciled to God by faith in Jesus and born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we now become capable of honoring and obeying God's moral law, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:4) So, do we follow the Old Testament to the letter? As Christians we are not to view the law as a system of 'legal commandments' which we have to follow in order to obtain forgiveness of sins and to assure ourselves of salvation. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ." Galatians 2:16) Old Testament laws which applied directly to the nation of Israel such as the civil laws, the social laws, the sacrificial and ceremonial laws no longer apply to Christians. Paul wrote to the Colossians because they were being led astray by false teachers mixing human philosophy, tradition and Jewish religious ceremonies teaching that unless these rituals were exactly followed there would be no salvation therefore negating the sacrificial atonement of Jesus. Paul told them that this was totally wrong, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ." (Colossians 2:16-17) Paul is teaching that a Christian is free from these ceremonial obligations, dietary laws, and rituals, again, they were but a shadow, a type, an example which were all fulfilled in Christ. Christians ARE required to keep the ethical and moral principles of the Old Testament, "Yea, we establish the law." (Romans 3:31) Jesus expressed the two Greatest Commandments this way, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40) In order to follow and adhere to the Greatest Commandments the moral and ethical commandments given in the Old Testament are to be followed. As Christians we must see the law as a moral code of ethics. All believers express the life of Christ within themselves by obeying this moral and ethical code. "What then? shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!... being then made free from sin you became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:15, 18) Being made free from the sin of Adam, and born from death unto life doesn't mean that we can no longer sin. We are now servants of righteousness which means every believers life should be lived in such a way as to maintain right-standing with God. Righteousness is the result of adhering to the Greatest Commandments. "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Galatians 5:14) Faith in Jesus Christ is the point of departure for the fulfilling of the law. Through this saving faith God becomes our Father rather than just our Creator. "But as many as received Him [Jesus] to them gave He power [the right] to become the sons of God, to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12) Therefore, our obedience to the moral and ethical standards of the Bible is not done under threat of severe penalty, but is done out of a relationship of children to their Father. "And if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29) Christians are sons and daughters of God and heirs, "We are the children of God: and if children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16-17) "Now I say, the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father." (Galatians 4:1-2) A child who is an heir to the kingdom, even though he or she is the ruling authority (lord) of that kingdom, is raised under tutors until he or she is to be commissioned at the appointed time. Therefore that child is no different from the servant that even though that child is royalty, the tutors, nannys, schoolmasters, must be obeyed. "Even so we, when we were children, when we were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:3-5) Applying this scripture to human history we can see that the law was given as a tutor, a governor, to raise mankind in the ways of a righteous God until the appointed time for the Messiah's arrival. "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:24-26) Paul is saying that the law IS for all, a teaching tool that would serve to bring people to Christ. Does this then mean that a Christian must become Kosher, or that those who are Kosher must forsake it in order to follow Jesus? Paul said, "But as God has distributed to every man, as the Lord has called everyone so let him walk. So ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised." (1 Corinthians 7:7-18a) Circumcision is the sign of adherence to the Old Covenant signifying a Jew keeping the whole of the law. Paul says that to be a Christian, a Jewish convert does not have to stop eating Kosher or surrender his 'Jewishness' . "Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised." (1 Corinthians 7:18b) Likewise, a non-Jewish convert to Christianity need not be circumcised and come under the rituals of the Old Covenant. "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." (1 Corinthians 7:19) Paul sums it up into a simple: it doesn't matter which as long as you keep the commandments of God. But the Bible (even Paul) strongly promotes salvation by FAITH (grace), so isn't this teaching that what really matters most is "the keeping of the commandments of God" a contradiction? Absolutely not! Salvation by faith must lead to loving, obeying and serving God according to His rules. Anything less falls short of true saving faith. "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love." (Galatians 5:6) There are requirements to true saving faith: "Faith which works by love." "Even so faith, if it has not works is dead." (James 2:17) In summary, yes, the Old Testament does apply to Christians.
Clearly, the Old Testament is a must for understanding God and for Christian living, otherwise the New Testament wouldn't be quoting the Old. "Whether therefore you eat, or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31-32) The object of all our works, WHATEVER we do as New Testament believers, is to please God and to promote His glory. If then you are Kosher, be Kosher to God's glory. If you are not Kosher, likewise, let it be to the glory of God. Scripture continually shows us that there are three kinds of people: Jews, Gentiles (un-saved), and the Church of God (Christians). All scripture is given for the Church of God, but not all scripture is written ABOUT THE CHURCH. We need to "rightly divide the word of Truth" to discern to whom it is addressed. "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) PART 2: Leviticus 11:44 "For I am the Lord your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." (Leviticus 11:44) The entire Chapter 11 of the book of Leviticus is devoted to the description of clean and unclean animals. When we put verse 44 into it's proper context it is the beginning of God's summation regarding the dietary laws that have preceded it. God get's to His point of WHY He has just given all of those very detailed and particular instructions regarding clean and unclean, proper and improper beginning in verse 44. These dietary laws were given:
"You are the children of the Lord your God... For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people unto Himself above all the nations that are upon the earth." (Deuteronomy 14:1-2) Though these dietary restrictions are no longer binding on New Testament believers because Jesus fulfilled their purpose, the principles here of sanctification, separation, holiness, and cleanliness do still apply to New Testament believers (Christians). The fundamental principle remains unchanged even though the ceremonial rituals no longer apply. The first key to this scripture is to understand the meaning of the words sanctify and holy. Sanctify (Strongs 6942) signifies the ACT by which someone or something is set aside for the exclusive use of God. They are consecrated or made sacred and they are to be treated with special care as a possession of God. After the ACT of sanctification occurs (a verb) then one becomes holy (a noun). Holy (Strongs 6918) signifies something which has already been sanctified. It is completely separated, therefore pure enough, exclusive enough, and devoted enough to be in the category of persons or things that are set aside for God's intended use. God is commanding His people to distinguish themselves and to set themselves apart from the ungodly people, cultures, and influences around them. "You shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy...", separated from ungodliness and set apart for God. WHY? "...for I am holy." God's description of Himself is of a being who is completely separated, unique, and unequaled in all His creation. NOTHING compares to God, He is absolutely different! God's people are also called by Him to be separated, unique and completely different from all others. This kind of separation is TRUE holiness. To be holy is to be removed from the realm of the ordinary, "to be a peculiar people". (Deuteronomy 14:2) "To be a peculiar people" doesn't mean to be odd or weird. Peculiar (Strongs 5459) actually translates to a special treasure which is held close to the bosom. "...The Lord has chosen you to be a [special treasure] unto Himself above all the nations that are upon the earth." (Deuteronomy 14:2) The command to be sanctified unto true holiness is given throughout scripture to Gods people: Old Testament:
New Testament:
God is holy and what is true of the Father must be true of the children. Holiness speaks of being separated from the ungodly ways of the sinful world in being set apart for love, service and worship to God. Believers are to be dedicated to God, living to please God and striving to be complete in Him. Regarding the food a believer eats... Paul reminds us, "about doctrines of devils" that command, "to abstain from meats [vegetarianism], which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:1,3-5) As you prepare the food pray over it. As our family sits at the table and says grace, we pray:
By your Word we sanctify it and make it holy. We receive it in Jesus Name. Amen. (Being a vegetarian is not ungodly for the right reasons such as personal taste or health -- but being seduced by a doctrine that requires vegetarianism as obedience is a definite sign of what the Bible is warning us about.) Does separation mean that a Christian is supposed to live like the Amish with horses and buggies, no electricity, no technology and no make-up where everyone dresses the same, looks the same and speaks to no one from outside their culture? "Wherefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) God calls believers to separate themselves from evil by separating morally and spiritually from sin and from those things which oppose themselves to Gods standards of righteousness. The Bible stresses that though believers are IN THE WORLD we are not OF THE WORLD, being "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13) Believers are exhorted, "love not the world, neither the things in the world." (1 John 2:15) We are to, "be not conformed to this world." (Romans 12:2) In other words, we don't do it the world's way, but we do things God's way, entering into the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The separation from worldly lusts and sinful ways does not mean that believers have to shut out and live behind walls hiding from the world. Nor does it mean that believers can't keep up with the world, it's technologies or trends. Jesus said that there is one thing that is evidence of separation, the true witness on how the rest of the world would know a believer. "A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) Love is 'agape' (Strongs 26) which is a self giving sacrificial spiritual love which seeks the good of others. Agape must be the distingushing mark for Christians from all others. So even though believers are to be separated from the ways of the world and are not of this world, all believers are called to be in the world to reach out to the world IN LOVE. The ability to reach out in agape is a process that begins with being sanctified by faith in Christ and then in the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks to persons who were former sinners, "...but [now] you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified [made righteous] in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11) When a person initially becomes a believer he steps out on faith and is sanctified by the blood of Jesus. One who is sanctified is the beneficiary of God's will. Jesus told Paul that the reason for his ministry was to preach to the unsaved, "...that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:18) Even Jesus officially sanctified Himself in prayer before God to be worthy as Saviour, "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:19) In sanctification, God does not violate the free will of man. To separate yourself and be a true believer in Christ -- is YOUR choice -- the alternative is that, "you are condemned already." (John 3:18) The New Testament's call to a higher standard of holiness is important for two reasons:
The second key to this scripture is to understand the barrier to holiness. The opposite of holiness is to be "unclean" (Strongs 169) which is to be impure, foul, spoiled, and defiled.
Therefore any person who habitually practices or has excessive indulgence in a work that mirrors the following is not in God's will, is apart from God, is not sanctified, is not holy, is defiled and, "...shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
Looking carefully at the "works of the flesh" the popular opinion that only murder and perverse sexual sin keeps a person separated from God and is cause for eternal condemnation is not Biblically supported. ALL SIN is cause for separation and condemnation. (James 2:10) But even for a true believer it is impossible not to violate some of the "works of the flesh" from time to time! True. That's where God's grace comes in. And the gift of God's grace is obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ. God has set forth Jesus to be, "a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past." (Romans 3:25) AND for Christ's blood to be a believers continual covering for future sin, "But if we walk in the light... the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) A true believer doesn't walk the earth using God's grace as an excuse to sin. However, "If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9) Though we are trying not to sin, there is a struggle within us between the lusts and appetites of the flesh and the desires of our born-again recreated spirit. (Galatians 5:16-17) God has given us the power to overcome these sinful lusts and He expects us not just to try our best, but to actually MATURE in the fruits of righteousness. (Galatians 5:22-25) "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: [He is not made a fool of] for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For He that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:7-8) What about the backslider... what about those Christians who quit reading the Bible, praying, and no longer attend church, etc.? The Bible says it would be better for them to have remained ignorant of the truth. "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment [the command to be holy] delivered unto them." (2 Peter 2:20-21) The Bible is very clear that we cannot claim the wonderful promises of God without living a life of separation from uncleanness seeking holiness. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) God judges the heart and He is looking for holiness. To be spotted with uncleanness, or blemished, or wrinkled is the same as to be unclean or defiled. Rapture requirement? Yep. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness...? Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Peter 3:10-11,14) Jesus is returning for His church, He is looking for holiness. IN SUMMARY: In daily living, believers are not separate from having to obey the laws and operate to some extent within the boundaries of the worlds system, but are called to a separation according the standards of righteousness given by God which are higher standards than that of the world. Wouldn't that be a wonderful world?! FINAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The most popularly quoted Bible verse! Notice the word "perish" (Strongs 622) which implies the completion of the process of destruction or to fully destroy. In todays language, a perishable is a fruit, vegetable or meat with a very limited shelf life. When not purchased or used by its ripe time, a perishable begins to spoil, it becomes spotted, or blemished, or wrinkled. Water cannot wash the rot away. The item perishes becoming garbage, it is "unclean" for human intended use. Jesus gave His blood like 'super soap', to continually wash away our spots and blemishes and to keep us clean, separate, sanctified and holy, for God's intended use. Yes, the unsaved are unclean already. BUT when believers begin to dishonor the purity of the blood of Jesus, when believers dishonor His Word, when believers begin putting God on the back burner and begin taking for granted the standards and morals He set before us, spots begin to appear on our hearts. Keep in personal prayer:
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