I often express my deep gratitude to have been born in AD and not BC. The days before Christ were characterized by countless sacrifices of animals for the sins of man. Yet all this bloodshed was not sufficient enough to take away the sins of any of us. Man also lived under the curse of Adam and Eve, toiling endlessly in pain and travail without any meaningful reprieve. Nevertheless, in the midst of all this turmoil, there were men and women who remained righteous. The grace of God was sufficient for them even though the ultimate sacrifice had not yet been made.
I had a dream one time, many years ago, where I entered a room that looked white as fresh snow on the ground. As I looked around, I got the impression that I was in a Holy place. In the middle of the room was pedestal and on top of it lay a slain lamb. The blood of this lamb was still dripping. It was the only thing creating color in the room. The amazing thing is the blood dripped onto the ground drop after drop yet the floor and surroundings never turned color. They remained white.
I was reminded of two scriptures after this dream;
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).” (Galatians 3:13)
And…
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
- “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).” (Galatians 3:13)
The first one spoke to shackles and chains of bondage being broken and freedom being released by and through the blood of Jesus. It is the only way through which we have access to God the Father without fear of condemnation. We cannot do it with confidence even on our most righteous day.
Jesus masterfully converted the 10 Commandments (a negative law) into the 2 commandments ( a positive law). In Matthew 22, He converts the first 4 commandments from “thous shalt not…” to “thous shalt…” We can now focus on loving God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and that will keep us from breaking those 4. He then did the same thing with the last 6 commandments by telling us in loving our neighbors as ourselves, we’re fulfilling that part of the law.
He did not come to make the law irrelevant. He came to fulfill it by raising the standard (see Matthew 5). He did not do away with the requirements of the law. He raised the bar by saying love is the determinant of the law’s validity. He did not erase the OT, He summarized it and in so doing approved it. All of it.
What was once a curse became a blessing. What was once impossible (fulfilling the law), became possible. What was once a source of condemnation became a source of life and healthy conviction unto righteousness.
- “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
The second verse speaks to our ability to overcome the evil one. While the lamb was slain for us, we must take action in embracing Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Only then, do we begin to overcome the restrictions and demands of the law. The blood only works when we accept Him and embrace its power. The blood washes us clean, just as the floor on which it dripped (in the dream I had) did not change color (see Rev. 22:14-16).
The word of our testimony establishes our confession. It is not enough for us to believe, for “…even the demons believe and tremble” (James 2:19). We must testify of what He’s done in us. Then we must give our lives for the purposes of His Kingdom. We must not revert to loving our lives more than we love Him.
How can we see Him and not be changed? There’s no way. He is the reason we live. I therefore conclude, as Paul the Apostle did, the law is only reserved for the lawless (1 Tim 1:9). Those who are being transformed into His image from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18) are not bound by the law. They are bound by a higher, much deeper commitment; love.
Nelson Masinde 