Old Testament Law in a New Testament World

The Ten Commandments and Old Testament law have different applications but are every bit as necessary and applicable to modern day American Christians as to the Jews of the Old Testament.  Many of God’s laws found in the Old Testament are for our own safety and good and it is our responsibility as Christians to uphold these laws.  As stated by Arnold and Beyer, “Throughout the Old Testament, law is a positive expression of God’s will for his people” (p. 113).

            Jesus was perfect according to the law of God and we as Christians are called to be like Jesus; to me this relationship shows the pertinence of the Ten Commandments to modern day Christians.  One difference between New Testament Christians and Old Testament Jews is before Jesus, salvation came though obeying God’s laws and now we obtain salvation through Jesus.  According to Arnold and Beyer, “…obeying his law is the right response to God’s grace, not as a means of salvation, but as the response to salvation” (p. 113).  I would largely agree with their assessment and would see that as a general consensus of the Church as well.

            The role of the Ten Commandments in public places in America has sparked many heated arguments recently.  Fundamentally, America is a country founded on the pursuit of freedoms to practice religion freely.  The first amendment to the American Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”  Because posting the Ten Commandments in public places as in the case involving the Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in 2003 does not infringe on the free practice of religion or create any laws prohibiting the free practice of religion, there is no violation under United States law.  I see no reason why Old Testament law should be prohibited from public buildings or vicinities.

            American law is largely based on the Ten Commandments and other laws of God.  There is even to this day a Colorado law that prohibits adultery; unfortunately there is no longer a punishment for this law.  I have perceived that the general American public establishes its moral code from the same laws in the Ten Commandments.  Most Americans in my opinion would recognize murder, adultery, stealing and lying to be immoral acts.  Where many Americans fail to obey God from my observations, is in the first four commandments where God states “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exodus 20:2, New International Version (NIV)), "You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3, NIV), “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:7, NIV), and “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8, NIV).

God said in Deuteronomy 5:9, “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…” (NIV).  God commands of us to worship him and only him.  This should be a spiritual obligation of every Christian.  Clowney says, “It refers to the intense and exclusive love God has for His people, a love that is to be requited by the pure devotion of Israel” (p.103).  We as Christians are spiritual descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel and thus fall under the second commandment as well as God’s other laws as we are bound by the covenant God established with Israel.  It is our obligation to worship God exclusively and make a priority to obey the laws God has given.

In Conclusion, the Old Testament Laws and the Ten Commandments are every bit as applicable to modern day American Christians as they were to Old Testament Jews.  Even though the purpose for observing the laws differs between Christians and Jews, the covenant between God and his people remains and necessitates this devotion.   God is a jealous God and requires spiritual and moral obligations from his children.  Psalms 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect” (NIV).  Submission to Gods laws is easier knowing they are perfect and intended for my benefit and safety.  These Old Testament Laws of God are essential to the walk of New Testament Christians and always will be.

References

Holy Bible.  (1984).  New International Version.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Arnold, B. T., & Beyer, B. E. (1999). Encountering the old testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The unfolding mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament. Phillipsberg, NJ: P&R.