The Ministry of Death
Cannot Save Sinners
For if a law had been given that could impart life,
then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.
Galatians 3:21 BSB
Introduction: The laws of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, hold a significant place in religious history. Given to the Israelites, these laws were intended to govern their moral, ceremonial, and civil life. However, despite their importance and comprehensive nature, these laws alone cannot change the human heart. This article explores why the laws of Moses, while foundational, fall short in bringing about internal transformation and highlights the necessity of faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit in achieving true heart change.
“And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 BSB
Purpose of the Laws: The Mosaic laws were designed to guide the Israelites in their daily lives and establish a community centered on justice, holiness, and devotion to God. These laws encompassed moral directives, ceremonial practices, and civil regulations, all aimed at maintaining a covenant relationship with God. The Ten Commandments, for instance, provided a moral framework, while laws regarding sacrifices and festivals underscored the importance of worship and atonement. Despite their divine origin and intended purpose, these laws primarily regulated the external behavior and societal order of the people of Israel.
Limitations of External Compliance: Adhering to the Mosaic laws was an external act that did not necessarily reflect inner transformation. Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of individuals and communities who, despite outward compliance, failed to align their hearts with God’s will. The prophets often criticized the Israelites for their superficial adherence to the law while neglecting justice, mercy, and true devotion. Isaiah, for example, condemned the people for honoring God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). These instances highlight the limitations of external compliance in achieving genuine spiritual renewal.
Inner Transformation: The Bible emphasizes that true change comes from the heart. Scriptures such as Ezekiel 36:26 and Jeremiah 31:33 speak of God’s promise to give His people a new heart and spirit, signifying internal transformation. This prophetic vision pointed to a future covenant where God’s laws would be written on hearts rather than stone tablets. Inner transformation, therefore, involves more than just outward obedience; it requires a deep, personal relationship with God and a genuine change in one’s desires and motivations.
Role of Faith and Grace: In the New Testament, the role of faith and grace becomes central in achieving heart transformation. Jesus and Paul both taught that the law, while holy and good, could not impart righteousness or bring about true spiritual renewal. In Romans 8:3-4, Paul explains that what the law could not do, God did by sending His Son. The law’s purpose was to highlight sin and point to the need for a Savior. Through faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live in accordance with God’s will and brings about genuine heart change (Galatians 3:24-25).
Necessity of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in bringing conviction of sin and prompting true repentance. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). This conviction goes beyond the law’s ability to reveal sin; it penetrates the heart and prompts a sincere response. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul describes the Law of Moses, the Old Covenant, as a "ministry of death" written and engraved on stones. This characterization underscores the law’s role in bringing awareness of sin and condemnation but not life. In contrast, the Holy Spirit brings life and righteousness. The new covenant of the Spirit brings transformation and renewal from within, as the Spirit writes God’s laws on our hearts, enabling us to live in a way that pleases God (Ezekiel 36:27, Hebrews 10:16).
The Necessity of Being Born of God: Before faith or repentance can take place, it is necessary to be born of God. Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John 3:3, stating that "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This new birth, or regeneration, is a work of the Holy Spirit, who brings a person to spiritual life. Without this divine act, an individual remains spiritually dead and incapable of genuine faith or repentance. It is through being born of God that a person’s heart is changed, enabling them to respond to God’s call with true faith and repentance. This regeneration precedes and makes possible the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, faith, and repentance in a believer’s life.
"Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7)
In the Gospels, several individuals came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and recognized their need for healing and salvation without Jesus explicitly using Sinai's Law to awaken their conscience. Here are some notable examples:
The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42): The Samaritan woman encountered Jesus at Jacob’s well. Through their conversation, Jesus revealed His knowledge of her life and offered her "living water." She recognized Him as a prophet and eventually as the Messiah, leading her to bring others from her town to meet Jesus. This interaction focused more on Jesus revealing His identity and offering grace rather than using the Law to awaken her conscience.
The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10): A Roman centurion approached Jesus to heal his servant, demonstrating great faith. He acknowledged Jesus’ authority and believed that Jesus could heal with just a word. Jesus marveled at his faith and granted the healing. The centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ power did not involve Jesus pointing out his need through the Law.
The Syrophoenician Woman (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30): A Gentile woman came to Jesus, seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. Despite an initial test of faith, she persisted, demonstrating her belief in Jesus’ ability to heal. Jesus commended her faith and granted her request. This account highlights her desperate need and faith rather than an awakening of conscience through the Law.
The Blind Man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43): Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, called out to Jesus as the “Son of David,” recognizing Him as the Messiah. He sought Jesus for healing, and Jesus responded to his faith by restoring his sight. Bartimaeus' plea was driven by his belief in Jesus' healing power, not by a confrontation with the Law.
The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48): This woman suffered from a bleeding condition for twelve years. Believing that touching Jesus' cloak would heal her, she approached Him in faith and was healed instantly. Jesus affirmed her faith without referencing the Law to convict her of sin.
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10): Zacchaeus, a tax collector, sought to see Jesus and climbed a tree to get a better view. Jesus called him down and visited his home. During their interaction, Zacchaeus expressed repentance and committed to restitution. His transformation was sparked by Jesus' acceptance and grace rather than an explicit use of the Law to convict him.
The Man Born Blind (John 9): This man was healed by Jesus, leading to a series of interrogations by the Pharisees. Throughout these interactions, the man gradually recognized Jesus as the Messiah, culminating in worshiping Him. His journey to faith was marked by Jesus’ miraculous healing and personal revelation, rather than a direct use of the Law.
Israel's Law revealed the sins of the people of Israel by setting a standard of righteousness and highlighting their shortcomings. Jesus Christ surpasses the Law of Moses as God's standard for righteousness. The Law acted as a guide and tutor, leading people to recognize their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Jesus, by fulfilling the Law and establishing a new covenant, offers a path to righteousness based on faith and internal transformation through the Holy Spirit. His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and resurrection provide a complete and eternal solution to sin, far exceeding the temporary and external focus of the Mosaic Law. In Christ, believers receive grace, truth, life, and freedom, showcasing the profound superiority of Jesus over the Law. True conviction that leads to genuine repentance and recognition of the need for salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Here’s a detailed explanation:
The Role of the Law:
Revealing Sin: The law defines sin and reveals human shortcomings. Romans 3:20 says, “Through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
Highlighting Guilt: By comparing one’s actions against the law, individuals can recognize their guilt. Paul in Romans 7:7-8 explains how the law made him aware of coveting, thus making him conscious of his sin.
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit brings true conviction of sin. John 16:8-9 says, “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me.”
Awakening to Lostness: True conviction involves a deep realization of being lost and separated from God, which the Holy Spirit impresses upon the heart.
Leading to Repentance: The Holy Spirit doesn’t just convict; He leads individuals to repentance and transformation (Acts 2:37-38).
While the law exposes sin and makes people aware of their moral failings, it is the Holy Spirit who brings about true conviction, leading to genuine repentance and recognition of the need for a Savior.
Here are notable examples where Jesus utilized Moses’ Law to highlight a person’s non-compliance or need, potentially contributing to their faith journey:
The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23): The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus first pointed him to the commandments: “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother” (Matthew 19:18-19). The young man claimed to have kept these since his youth, but Jesus then told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. This command revealed the man’s attachment to wealth and his failure to comply with the Law’s deeper requirement to love God above all else.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26): While Jesus didn’t use the Law in the traditional sense, He revealed the woman’s sinful life, which can be seen as an indirect use of the Law: “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” (John 4:17-18). This revelation led the woman to recognize Jesus as a prophet and then as the Messiah.
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:3-11): In this scenario, the Law is used by the Pharisees to condemn the woman. Jesus turns it around to convict her accusers: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This statement not only upheld the Law’s requirement of righteousness but also highlighted the need for grace and mercy, leading to the woman’s forgiveness.
The Lawyer Testing Jesus (Luke 10:25-37): A lawyer asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him what is written in the Law, and the lawyer answered correctly about loving God and neighbor. To justify himself, the lawyer asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating the true spirit of the Law. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36).
Various Interactions with the Pharisees: Jesus often used the Law to point out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and failure to truly adhere to God’s commandments, although these interactions were more about revealing their shortcomings rather than leading them to faith: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23).
While the laws of Moses are significant, they highlight a deeper need for internal change that can only be realized through faith, grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The limitations of the Mosaic law, described as a ministry of death, emphasize the necessity of a new covenant—a ministry that gives life and brings about true transformation through a heart changed by God. The Holy Spirit works within individuals to achieve the genuine change that the law alone cannot accomplish, fulfilling the promise of a new heart and spirit.
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 BSB
The necessity of being born of God illustrates that before faith or repentance can occur, a person must undergo spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. This new birth allows individuals to respond to God’s call with genuine faith and repentance, achieving the true transformation that the law alone could never bring about.
Lastly, Allow me to ask you a simple question; Are you a minister of the Old Covenant or the New Covenant?
Moe Bergeron