THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17

(KJV) Matthew 5:17

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The “Law” refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. The “Prophets” include:

1. The books called the Latter Prophets (the Major Prophet [Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, although Daniel is sometimes classified differently because of its focus on the end time], along with the 12 Minor Prophets, which close out the Old Testament).
2. The books called the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings). Other parts of the Old Testament, referred to as the Writings, can also be classified as prophecy (Matthew 13:35, which refers to Psalms 78:2 by saying “what was spoken through the prophet”). Taken together, “the Law and Prophets” include the whole Old Testament (or “old covenant”) – which outlines God’s ways of maintaining a relationship with humankind before He sent Christ to fulfill His highest plan. The Old Testament actually foreshadows, or previews, all that Jesus Christ would accomplish and fulfill. It is His intention that the spiritual requirements of God’s law – the truths and principles behind His first covenant – will also be fulfilled in the lives of His followers (Romans 3:31; 8:4). The believer’s relation to God’s law involves the following:

1. The law that Christians are responsible to keep contains the ethical and moral principles of the Old Testament (Matthew 7:12; 22:36-40; Romans 3:31; Galatians 5:14), as well at the teachings of Christ and the apostles (the pioneers and leaders in the early church who wrote many of the New Testament books, Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 9:21; Galatians 6:2). These laws reveal God’s character, desires, standards and general purposes for all people, which still apply today. Old Testament laws that applied directly to the nation of Israel – such as the sacrificial, ceremonial, social or civil laws – are no longer binding on New Testament Christians (Hebrews 10:1-4; Leviticus 1:2-3; 24:10). However, these laws may be based on principles that should still guide our behavior. 
2. For Christians, the law is not a system of legal commands and rules by which we can earn forgiveness and spiritual salvation (Galatians 2:16,19). Rather, the law is and must always be seen as a moral code of conduct for those who are already in a right relationship with God through faith in Christ. By obeying the commands and living by God’s standard, Christians show their gratitude to Christ for saving them and living through them (Romans 6:15-22). 
3. Faith in Christ is the starting point of fulfilling God’s law. Through faith, God becomes our Father (John 1:12). This means that we should obey God not just because He is the sovereign Lawgiver (with all power and authority to set the standard and to do as He chooses), but because we are His children, and He is our Father (Galatians 4:6). 
4. Because of their faith in and love for Christ, His followers want to live by His laws and standards (Romans 16:25-26; Hebrews 10:16). For them, it is not simply a matter of duty, but desire and gratitude, this desire comes as a result of God’s grace (undeserved favor, love and enablement, Romans 5:21) and His Holy Spirit living within them (Romans 8:13; Galatians 3:5, 14). Christians fulfill God’s law by living according to the desires and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4-14). The Spirit helps them overcome and “put to death” the ungodly desires and behaviors of their human nature and to fulfill God’s desires and purposes (Romans 8:13; Matthew 7:21). The Spirit’s work is crucial because outward obedience to God’s law must come from the inner transformation of a person’s heart and spirit (Matthew 5:21-28).
5. Having been freed from slavery to sin, Christ’s followers willingly choose to submit to God’s control and to become “slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:18-22). By following the principle of “faith,” they come “under Christ’s law” (1 Corinthians 9:21) for the primary purpose of influencing others for Christ. By doing what is best for God’s kingdom and by looking to benefit others more than ourselves, we can “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) and show our faithfulness to the moral requirements of God’s law (Romans 7:4; Galatians 3:19; Matthew 5:16-25) 

Jesus took special care to teach that, as an ongoing condition of entering the kingdom of heaven, we must do His Father’s will (God’s desires and purposes for us, Matthew 7:21).

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1. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
2. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
3. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
4. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
5. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
6. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
7. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
8. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
9. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
10. SERMON ON THE MONT / MATTHEW 5-7
11. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
12. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
13. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6
14. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
15. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
16. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
17. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
18. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
19. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
20. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
21. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
22. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
23. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
24. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
25. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
26. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1
27. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
28. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
29. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
30. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
31. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID / MATTHEW 1:1
32. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
33. I AM WITH YOU / MATTHEW 28:20
34. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
35. FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28
36. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
37. DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS / MATTHEW 25:41
38. MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24
39. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
40. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
41. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
42. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

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Summary

Article Name

THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17

Description

The “Law” refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. The “Prophets” include:

Author

Margarita Crews

Publisher Name

Guided By Grace

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