The Law of God Miscellanies (21)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.Romans 10.4

Reflect and discuss.
1.  Would the world be better off without the Law of God? Would the Church? Explain.

2.  The Law is the path, the end of which is fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to give us full and abundant life. Can we expect to realize fullness of life apart from the Law of God? Explain.

Think about it.
Paul says that Christ is the “end” to which the Law would lead us. He is using τέλος here in the sense of purpose, outcome, or result. Christ does not end the Law, in the sense of doing away with and replacing it. Paul has dismissed that possibility in Romans 3.31 by saying that the righteousness of Christ does not do away with the Law but establishes it. 

Rather, He shows us why the Law was given, that we might be like Christ. As Baltimore is the end to which Interstate 70 leads, Jesus is the end to which the Law leads. If you see Jesus as He is, full of splendor, glory, majesty, and power, you will gladly receive from Him the map He has provided to bring you on your journey to His presence. Take up the Law of God as a map for life. Follow it step by step, negotiating its instructions, counsel, and directives in faith and obedience. Know that, as you do, you come closer to Jesus each day (cf. 1 Jn. 3.1-3). 

Our journey in the faith will be determined by our relationship to the Law of God. Ignore or neglect the Law, and you will end up sidetracked or stalled in your journey. You will not increase in Christlikeness, and full and abundant life will elude you. Your journey, rather than be an exciting adventure of faith and obedience, will become tedious, dull, and unfruitful. You may cling to the hope of your final destination, but your journey there will be nothing to write home about.

Christ shows us what keeping the Law produces in us: Christlikeness! We must see Jesus, exalted in glory and ruling over all God has made, and ourselves as being transformed into His image and likeness. The clearer and more constant our vision of Christ, and the more we delight in Him, the more we will follow His map to its glorious destination and end.

Keeping the Law is not the end. It is the means to the end, which is becoming more like Jesus day by day (Ps. 1).

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Read Psalm 1. Who meditates in God’s Law day and night? What is the effect of this?

2.  Read Matthew 5.17-19. Why did Jesus fulfill the Law? Why does He call us to learn, obey, and teach it? Is understanding and obeying God’s Law important for life in the Kingdom of God? Explain.

3.  What would you say to someone who insisted that Jesus brought an end to the Law, and we do not need to obey it any longer?

“Christ furnishes believers with holy righteousness, because he is ‘the end of the law,’ and the law prepared the way for Christ by showing that he was the fulfillment of it, the salvation of mankind.” Apollinaris of Laodicea (310-392 AD)

Pray Psalm 22.22-31.
How should we respond to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus (vv. 1-21)? Thank God for all His Word, by which “He rules over the nations.”

Psalm 22.23-28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the Lord, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.

For He has not despised the anguish of our King,
Nor from Him hid His eyes, Who knew such suffering.
Let praise arise from all who love and serve the Ruler of the skies!

The suff’ring King shall eat and praise with us the Lord.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!

All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King!  His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!

T. M. Moore

For more insight to the Law of God and its role in the life of faith, order the book The Ground for Christian Ethics  by clicking here. If you’d like a free copy of our Kingdom Catechism, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and request it.

Not yet a subscriber to our Crosfigell teaching letter? You’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.