The Reason We Obey

Sometimes people think the New Testament teaches faith and the Old Testament law-keeping. Not true. 

Both are based on faith: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6; also Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 4:3).

Law-keeping was emphasized in the Old Testament because the law was our “guardian,” leading us to Christ. The Greek word translated guardian in Galatians 3:24 is pedagogue – a slave who cared for children, correcting, protecting, and disciplining them until they went to school. 

The Law was our pedagogue, making us conscious of sin (Romans 3:20), foreshadowing Christ (Hebrews 10:1) and preparing us for the full message of grace and truth in Christ (John 1:17). 

Christ didn’t destroy the law. He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17).

He showed us that righteous living flows out of our love for God, not legalistic duty (John 14:21). 

Christ came in grace and truth, forgiving sin and giving us the desire and strength to live godly lives (Ephesians 3:16-19; Titus 2:11-13). 

Wow!
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For more insights on law and grace: Got Questions.  
You might also like to read: Enjoying Obedience and Love Without Obedience Isn't Love.
For a short Bible study on this devotion, check out today's Bite Size Study.

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