{"id":4494,"date":"2024-02-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-10T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handstotheplow.org\/reading-plan\/february-10\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:20:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:20:35","slug":"february-10","status":"publish","type":"reading-plan","link":"https:\/\/handstotheplow.org\/om\/reading-plan\/february-10\/","title":{"rendered":"February 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Insight from Matthew 28<\/span><\/p>\n

A mark of Antinomian theology is that the Law is seen to have no or very little on-going purpose in the life of the Christian. The Law, they would say, leads to condemnation and serves to reveal sin. It puts a load on people and causes them to sin because the Law is about works and not about grace. Beyond this, they would say that the inward prompting of the Spirit is sufficient so as to deny any need for the Law. In other words, the Law is not necessary for Christians. How would we find out the truth regarding this? We would look to the apostles. What did they write?<\/span><\/p>\n

It is significant to note that Christ and the Apostles use the Law repeatedly. For instance, Paul repeats the fifth commandment when he writes, \u201cChildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. \u2018Honor your father and mother\u2019 (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land\u201d (Ephesians 6:1-3). Paul\u2019s use of the Law here\u00a0 is worth much reflection. Paul is writing to believers in this letter. How is Paul expecting the children to obey? He doesn\u2019t tell them to consider Christ. He doesn\u2019t tell them to rely on the Holy Spirit. Instead, he quotes the Old Testament Law. Notice, Paul doesn\u2019t apologize for using the Law, and it is clear that he thinks that the Law is a help to the children.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1 Peter 1:14-15, Peter says, \u201cAs obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, \u201cYou shall be holy, for I am holy.\u2019\u201d This is a quote from Leviticus 11:44\u2014again, the Law. Notice, Peter says that we are to obey \u201csince it is written.\u201d In other words, the Law is the reason the believers are to obey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider Jesus\u2019 words in Matthew 5:17-21:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But an Antinomian might say, \u201cThat was said by Jesus to Jewish people under the Old Covenant! It doesn\u2019t apply to Christians in the New Covenant.\u201d Notice what Jesus says in the Great Commission\u2014something he said after his death and resurrection.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Jesus came and said to them, \u201cAll authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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 that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.\u201d Matthew 28:18-20 (see also John 14:15)<\/span><\/p>\n

The question of the Christian\u2019s relationship to the Law is important. To be clear, we don\u2019t relate to the Law in the same way that people in the Old Covenant related to the Law. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that the Law has zero application to us. Based on the Apostles\u2019 usage of the Law, we can see that they frequently used it in their ministry to believers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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