God's Law Wasn't Given to Sanctify Unbelievers

"If only people would start obeying the 10 Commandments, this world would be a much better place." That's true....but it's not as easy to pull off as it might appear at first blush.

God gave the 10 Commandments to His people about 3500 years ago. These commands were given specifically to Israel....and not to the other nations in the Old Testament. When we move into New Testament times, "Israel" takes on a new flavor. All of a sudden we are told that "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel." (Romans 9:6) What? Really?

That's right. God makes all things new. There is a new covenant for the people of God beginning with Jesus Christ. God redefines what it means to be a "Jew." Starting in New Testament times 2000 years ago, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly." (Romans 2:28) Just let that sink in for a moment. It's no small transition from the way it had been for the first 4000 years of human history. Beginning in the New Testament era, there has to be an "internal adoption," and not just a biological pedigree. There has to be "new birth." (1 Peter 1:3) And there has to be sanctification. A person literally becomes a new creation the moment the living God comes to dwell inside his body when he is converted through faith in Christ. (see 2 Cor. 5:17 & 1 Cor. 6:19)

OK. So....how does all this "new creation" stuff come to pass? Through the 10 Commandments? Not exactly. That is to say, it's not as simple as man launching out with moralistic fervor in an attempt to obey God's commands. Whenever and wherever man does that, he falls far short of God's perfection....and God's perfect Law....and he remains unconverted.

So do the 10 Commandments have a unique and special purpose for the unbeliever? Yes....namely, "the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ." (Gal. 3:24) In the Old Testament, the Law was given to those who were already in relationship with God as His chosen people. In the New Testament, you can't just embrace the commands of God as your own until you first enter a relationship with God. You have to become a "New Testament Jew" so to speak. You have to belong to the family of God....and that only happens by birth....spiritual birth that is. Read more