Mike,

Thank you so much for your website. I have learned so much from your articles but I do have a question (maybe it’s more like a ‘statement’).
I’ve noticed in several of your articles, you use the term ‘Christ contradicts the law’. In my mind, this statement at its face value is just not true. Christ did not ‘contradict’ the law. He fulfilled the law bringing the new covenant of the Spirit and His “… but I say…” were ‘different’ because He is telling us that it’s not what we DO, it’s what is in our hearts (spiritual character).
In other words, the law gives us the letter (do’s and don’ts) which is bondage because we cannot keep it! He fulfilled it by revealing the nature, character, LOVE and spiritual capability of our being ONE with Him and our Father that a list of LAWS written in stone could never do. His law, once we are crucifying the old man and the Spirit is dwelling in us, is changing our hearts (minds); therefore, we begin to not even THINK to ‘do’ or ‘not do’ as we mature spiritually. That is freedom… no longer slave to sin (not the doing… but the not thinking of doing). Of course, it is a constant war, but the battles get much easier as our carnality dies daily with Him and we become overcomers.
His examples of laboring (in the Jews’ minds) on the Sabbath, etc. were not contradictions, they were His saying ‘You no longer have to worry about those lists because I have done them all for you – now you let Me live in you and release you from that which enslaved you (the physical do’s and don’ts) that did NOTHING to reveal your Father’s love for you or to open your hearts to loving your neighbor/ enemy. In fact, those lists did just the opposite filling your hearts with lust and closing your minds to the true meaning of God’s love!”
I don’t know if I’m explaining myself very well, and maybe it’s not even an important point, but using the word contradict gives a different perception to me. He could not contradict what He fulfilled, but He could show us the SPIRITUAL meaning which is the fulfillment. I hope you understand my objection to the use of that term and, again, it may not be of great importance, but every time I see it, I feel the need to offer my objections. If I am wrong, please tell me why.
Thank you so much,
B____

Hi B____,

I am gratified to know that you have learned a lot from the articles on the website. Thank you also for your ‘statement’. I appreciate the time you have taken to express your concern, but I must point out that it is the scriptures themselves which demonstrate that the New Testament is simply not the Old Testament but is rather a “change also of the Law”.

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

That is why Christ didn’t even bother to ask where the man was that was caught with the woman who was caught in adultery. Moses required the death of both, but Christ was changing things and actually refused to even consider the law in that case. Here is the law of Moses that Christ should have kept according to those who do not realize that Christ came as a reformer.

Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, [ both] the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

That is the “carnal” letter which is the law, and that is all the law of Moses had. There is no Biblical basis for saying that the New Testament is simply the spirit of the law of Moses. There is no spirit in the letter, and there was no mercy, and there was no faith in the letter.

Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

That is why Christ “changed also the law.” There was no mercy in the law of Moses. It was letter only. Christ’s New Testament is now spirit and mercy, and yet it takes us to a much higher standard than was even possible without the spirit of Christ being in us. We are now commanded to love our enemies, and to not so much as lust after a woman in our hearts. If we so much as hate our brother we are now murderers. It is a “new commandment” and a change also of the law” when it is compared to the merciless, faithless, letter of the law that is the “kill of your enemies every thing that breatheth.”

Deu 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [ for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

I have written an in depth paper on this subject which is found in the essential reading section of the iswasandwillbe. com home page. That section is in the upper left corner of the home page. Please take the time to read that paper, as it is very thorough and far more complete than an e- mail could possibly be on such a broad subject as the law.
If after reading that paper, you still have concerns then please write again.
Your brother in Christ,

Mike