The Law and Gentiles

Q: Was the Law of Moses ever delivered to the Gentiles? Does the bible mention unsaved Gentiles being under the same Law as the Israelites?

A: No, the Law of Moses was never delivered to the Gentiles. The Law was strictly given to the Nation of Israel by Moses. "Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel...(Exodus 19:3)." The Law was given to the Israelites to set them apart from the rest of the world as well as to allow for God's plan of salvation, Jesus Christ, to be fulfilled through them. The Law consists of the Ten Commandments and the ceremonial laws given to Moses at Mount Sanai. There were Gentiles who became Jews and subjected themselves to the Law. This still happens to this day. However, the Law was never given to Gentiles nor, as Christians, are we expected to subject ourselves to it. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17)." The Bible is clear in making the distinction between law and grace. You may wonder what then is the purpose of the law?

"So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24)." If you are in Christ, regardless of whether you are a Jew or Gentile, the law has done its work in you. The Law shows us our spiritual death by revealing our sinfulness so we will turn to Christ for forgiveness and spiritual life in Him. Unfortunately, many Christians falsely believe that we are to live our lives subject to the Law and that Christ helps us do it. Keep in mind that the Mosaic Law is not the only form of law Christians subject themselves to. Every Christian denomination can be defined by the set of laws it imposes on its congregation. And even if you are not in an established Christian denomination you may still be familiar to the laws Christians put themselves under. Many Christians believe that water baptism is the "first act of obedience" after accepting Christ as Savior. This is usually followed up by being told that attendance in a church is mandatory. Then comes the direction that you have to tithe to the church or denomination you belong to. From there the laws will vary depending on the teaching of the particular fellowship. Granted, those teaching such things will not say they are teaching a form of law, but wait until you stray or balk at doing something deemed "necessary." You will be branded as "disobedient" or "out of fellowship" with God. Some may even question your salvation or say you have lost your salvation altogether because you failed to live up to the same burden they've put themselves under.

Staying in Galatians we see what the Apostle Paul had to say about those who put themselves under the Law. "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?...Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort (Galatians 1a, 2-3)?" Paul didn't mix his words when describing his displeasure with the Galatians. I doubt he would be any kinder to many churches today. When Christians, whether Jew or Gentile, subject themselves to law they are putting the burden of there Christian life on their ability to live up to God's requirements or those of their denomination. Both of which require perfect obedience. This is basically dedicating yourself to trying to live a life you will never live. If living under the Law was all that God wanted us to do than Christ died for nothing. This reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...(Titus 2:11-12)"

It is the grace of God that teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness, not the law of God. It does this through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the very life of God, leading us back into the truth of who we are in Christ. We were created to be indwelt by God and to allow Him to live in and through us. We were not created to live a life in response to laws designed to show us what is good and evil. Christians do not live a life of repentance and obedience to laws designed to modify our behavior. We live a life of trust and dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit. "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:25)." If a Jew or Gentile is under the law and has not come to faith in Christ then it has not done its work yet. Therefore, they need to stay under the law until its work is complete. But, Christians have something better available to us besides the Law. We have God Himself indwelling us and leading us from within. And with Him guiding us we will not be led into sin because we are walking in perfect love which is the fulfillment of the Law. It is understanding this truth which led to the Bible telling us that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)."