Is Christ the End of the Law (Sabbath, Exodus 20:8-11)?
About the phrase “end the law, the apostle Paul wrote: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). This verse doesn’t mean that Christ is the termination of law and that men are no longer under obligation to obey it. Jesus declared, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17,18; 24:35; Luke 21:33).
The phrase “end of the law” simply means that the law as a method of obtaining righteousness (as taught by the Pharisees) was brought to an end. God’s purpose in proclaiming His laws to Israel was to reveal to them their sinfulness (Romans 3:20) and their need of a Savior (Galatians 3:24). But the Jewish leaders had perverted God’s purpose and had used the laws, both moral and ceremonial, as the means of establishing their own righteousness by their own attempts at legalistic obedience.
So, Christ came to bring this mistaken abuse of the law to an end and to point the way back to faith. Such faith does not abolish law but rather establishes it. Paul taught, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
God did not offer His Son as a sacrifice in order to abolish His Moral Law (Exodus 20:3-17), or to release men from the necessity of perfect obedience. The law has always stood as an expression of the unchangeable will and character of God. Sinners by their own strength are not able to obey it (John 15:5). But Christ has come to make it possible for the sinner to obey perfectly (Philippians 4:13).
Paul wrote, “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). The apostle does not say, “might be partially fulfilled.” The Bible consistently speaks of entire transformation, perfect obedience (Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:12, 13) by God’s enabling power.
God requires perfection of His children. Jesus said, “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The perfect life of Christ in His humanity is God’s assurance to us that by His power we too may attain to victory over all sin. God’s grace brings man’s life into harmony with the divine will (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Is Christ the End of the Health Mosaic Laws (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14)?
Some say that the health laws were given only to the Jews and we are no longer obliged to keep them. But the Bible tells us that God designated the clean and unclean animals from the very beginning in relation to sacrifices and from Noah’s times before the Jews (Genesis 7:1, 2). And later on, He gave His instruction to the Israelites (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14).
It is obvious that the Jew’s body in no way differs from the Gentile’s body. They both get affected equally with unclean foods. So, we can conclude that these health laws were given for all people during all ages. It is for our own benefit to obey these health laws (Deuteronomy 12:25; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).
God gave health principles because He knows what is best for the human body. “The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive” (Deuteronomy 6:24 also Exodus 23:25). Following God’s principles results in “saving health” (Psalm 67:2) and more abundant life (John 10:10). When we heed God’s instruction, He can reduce and eliminate the effects of the diseases of Satan (Psalm 103:2, 3). For more check the following link:
Conclusion
Christ is not the end of the Moral Law (Exodus 20:3-17). Jesus’ death only abolished the Mosaic laws that pertain to sacrifices, feasts, and temple ceremonies which pointed to the coming of the Messiah and His death (Colossians 2:14-17; Ephesians 2:15). But God’s moral law (Exodus 20:3-17) and the health laws are still in effect today (Matthew 5:17-18).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
