But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Jesus said that the teacher of the law who was instructed in the ways of the Kingdom, that is, of the Spirit, would be like one who brought out of his storehouses old treasures as well as new (Matthew13:52).  So too, today, the most important thing is to understand the life in the Spirit, but now like then, we can bring forth many more great treasures through the history of God’s litany.

The Gospel of John begins by drawing a contrast between the Law and Grace by saying this,

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

Yet, from the rest of the New Testament, we know that God still has a purpose and a desire for the Law, when understood in the proper spirit.  In fact, Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus says clearly that whoever breaks and teaches others to break the least commandment of the Law of Moses will be the least in the Kingdom of God.

From the writings of the New Testament, we understand that we are no longer under the bondage to the law, and, in fact, we have been set free from the Law of Sin and Death.  Romans 8:3 go so far as to say wherein the law was powerless to free us, God did free us through His Son. Only, now let us consider what the New Testaments asks of us.

In Colossians 2, Paul lays out that we are no to be subject to human ordinances any longer (such as Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch).  And, yet, in the next chapter, Paul instructs us that, since we are raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1), we should “Put to death therefore” the things of the earthly nature (Colossians 3:5).  If we put to death the coveteousness, the greed, and the inward vices, the outward actions will not be a concern–but love is.

The New Testament is concerned with the heart.  When Matthew 5:27-30 talks about looking at a someone with lust being the same as the physical act of adultery, Jesus indicates that the way of the Spirit are involved every “thought and intent of the heart”.  This is where the the things of the flesh originate, within the heart.

So, let us consider a moment the position of the law.

It can but put forth, in a manner of speaking, that the Old Covenant and the Law was concerned with the outer works of a man, yet the New Testament is concerned with the inner things of a man, the heart.

While this may be true up to a point, it misses a few interesting principles.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

David wrote that the Law of god actually worked on the inner man, the soul.  This is because, to be sure, certain outward actions come only from a deceitful and wicked heart.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Matthew 15:19-20

While one could say that the New Covenant is concerned with the inward man, the real purpose of the Law and Prophets of God really hung upon the sole issue of Love.

Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Matthew 22:37-40

So, the law is so positioned that it prohibits actions which directly come forth out of an impure heart, which reflect on what is within.

While it is true that the law prohibits only outward actions, whereas the Gospel speaks to the direct root of the problem, a corrupt heart, all of the law is aimed at pointing out to a man, one who is not of the Spirit, where he has directly violated love by the demonstration of his outward actions.

And yet, as Paul writes, above, in 2 Corinthians 3, this is as far as the Law goes.

The Law does not, therefore, make provision for the remedying of the man, merely his condemnation.  And, it is in this context that Paul writes the above, that it is the ministry which brings death.  The truth is, no one has lived up to the Law of God, and all are right to be condemned by it (Romans 3:12,23).  And, as the wages of that sin is death (Romans 6:23), the gift of God is Eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.

So, the Law is perfect.  While it can only focus on the outside of a man, and the Spirit on the inner, each and every transgression of the Spirit of the Law, it’s true intent, is a violation of the Law of Love, the Law of the Spirit, and hence, is a violation of the heart.  Any departure from it’s true intent is a departure from walking in Grace, and the Spirit.

The glory of the Law is that it is always a perfect indicator of whether or not we are truly living by the Grace within.  As it was spoken in the days of reformation, “No Works, No Grace”.  The man without the works which come from faith demonstrates he has no Grace at all.  As James writes, Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

And yet, even as Christ said, any time we step out of that law, it only demonstrates how little we we followed.

Consider, again, the glories of the Law.  They show to us where we are in the error.

Yet, follow the Spirit.  For it alone is the way to change, to life, to freedom, and to blessing.

Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.
Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:17-24

It is precisely what both the legalist and lawless man cannot do.  Abide by it.  And, God has provided by the way of His Son.