Practical way to Understand the Difference Between the Old and New Testaments

Romans 7:1-7    
    One of the fundamental understandings of being able to rightly understand the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15) is knowing the difference between the Old and New Testaments (Rom. 7:1-7). A practical way to understand this can be illustrated using the US Declaration of Independence. On July 4th, 1776, the Unites States Declaration of Independence was written and subsequently signed by 56 men. So, what government was the Unites States bound to July 3rd? The answer is England. The law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21) works in similar fashion. Rom. 7 informs the church at Rome, especially the Judaizers, that before the death of Christ they were under obligation to keep the Old Testament. As they have died in Christ (Rom. 6:3-6), they have died to that Old Law and are bound to a new, the New Testament. It is literally impossible to keep both simultaneously (Acts 15:10) and Paul would say that in doing so we become spiritual adulterers (Rom. 7:3). In Galatians 5:4, Paul tells the congregations in Galatia that in trying to justify themselves by the Law they have forfeited their salvation and fallen from grace. When did this new law come into affect? Just as those in the colonies changed laws on July 3rd to 4th, Hebrews 9:15-17 tells us that the new covenant came into affect at the death of Christ because, “a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.” So, we are no longer bound, obligated, or obey the Old Testament, we have died to that so we may live under Christ and His covenant. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley