Lesson 7 - The law of Christ

In our previous lesson (‘How to become a christian’), we read:

... All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ... Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus has all authority; He is Lord and Christ:

Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2:36

In fact, the very name Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew ‘Messiah’ and means ‘the Annointed One’ - the One chosen by God to be King. (The name Jesus means ‘Saviour’.)

Jesus Christ, the King, has given us commandments, which we need to follow

If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

and by which man shall be judged.

He who rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak. John 12:48-50

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ ... 2 Corinthians 5:10

The Old and New Testaments

The Bible is made up of two ‘Covenants’ (or, ‘Testaments’). The Old Covenant was given through Moses. It was specifically for the people of ancient Israel (see for instance Deuteronomy chapter 5); the New, given through Jesus, is today for all (Matthew 28:18-20).

This step-by-step plan was needed for man become ready for the Lord:

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:18

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-27

So the Old Testament prepared the way for law of Christ, which we are now under. In fact, the Old Covenant predicts its own replacement (see Jeremiah 31:31-33)!

The New Testament Pattern

But the commandments of Jesus are more than just the ‘words in red’ in the Gospel books of Matthew - John. They constitute the entire New Testament.

Jesus told his disciples that, after he left the earth, the Holy Spirit would continue to impart his teachings.

I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. John 16:12-13

The great apostle Peter, chosen by the Lord (see Matthew 16:18-19) himself vouched for another apsotle, Paul:

... as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you. 2 Peter 3:15

In fact, in verse 16 Peter equates Paul's writings with Scripture. Paul himself wrote:

If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:37

There were several apostles and prophets who were given to reveal the teachings of Christ (Ephesians 3:4-5).

The revelation ended at the close of the first century - the time at which the prophet Jude wrote,

... contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude verse 3

And so, we have in the New Testament the complete teachings of Christ. We have the following responsibility:

Hold fast the pattern of sound words ... in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13

Thus the New Testament has a pattern - which we will do well to understand and follow. So many come short of being pleasing to the Lord because they have not understood this pattern.