Well, to answer that question, we must first define what "the Law" is? Then we can determine if it is for today. For the purposes of this study, we are talking about the "Law" as referring to the commandments of YHWH found throughout the Bible. 

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Let's begin by straightening out a big misconception about the definition of the word "Law" as used in the Bible. I believe that once you know what the original definition of the word "Law" means, you will see it in a new way.

 

In the Old Testament, the first place the word "Law" is used is in:  "Exodus 12:49  One law H8451 shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourns among you." 

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So, for those who do not know, that number after the word "law" or H8451 is the number assigned to that word from the Strong's concordance. A Strong's concordance defines each word in the Bible and tells you what that word means in the original language, so in this case "Hebrew". I have cut and pasted the Strong's meaning of the word "Law" below, which shows that word is used 219 times in the KJV Bible, and what that word means. It means: a precept, or statute "especially" the Decalogue (the 10 commandments) also called the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible, written down by Moses).

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And this part is important, so don't miss this: Listed directly under the Hebrew letters is the Hebrew word "Torah" which is how you pronounce the Hebrew word AND then it says "From H3384" which means, this word "Torah" H8451 actually comes from the 3 letter root word H3384. 

 

H8451
תֹּרָה    תּוֹרָה
tôrâh    tôrâh
to-raw', to-raw'
From H3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch: - law.
Total KJV occurrences: 219

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So, if we go look up the 3 letter root word H3384 in the Strong's concordance, we see the following info:

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H3384
יָרָא    יָרָה
yârâh    yârâ'
yaw-raw', yaw-raw'
A primitive root; properly to flow as water (that is, to rain); transitively to lay or throw (especially an arrow, that is, to shoot); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach: -  (+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach (-er, -ing), through.
Total KJV occurrences: 83

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So, to get a true, full understanding of the word in it's "original" meaning, you look up that word in a concordance, and then follow back through all of the root words it leads you back to. Once you get to the root word that does NOT show "From xxxx", then you are as far back as you can go. 

 

Combining these word definitions with their "root word" definitions will give you a much better understanding of the original definition of ANY word. 

 

So, now we know that the primary word used for "Law" in the Old Testament was the word "Torah" which refers to the 10 commandments and the first 5 books of the Bible. And that the root word reveals the meanings "to aim and shoot at a target as an archer would" and "to point the finger as to teach or point out something to someone" and "to inform, instruct and teach".  

 

So the more we study God's Word, the more we can learn about His attributes or His character traits, or the way He interacts with His creation, such as: He is kind, patient, merciful, loving, etc... 

 

Then we begin to understand that our Heavenly Father's commandments are actually better or more accurately defined as "His loving teachings and instructions which inform and guide us to safety and blessing, "if" we choose to listen to and accept His instructions. Heavenly Father's teachings or Torah can then be seen as a safety fence. If we choose to stay "within" the fence, we are blessed and safe. We do have free wills though, so "if" we choose to ignore His loving teachings and instructions and jump the fence, that is where the wolves live! We can expect to find trouble if we do not want to stay within His place of safety. 

 

Now, I am NOT saying that we will never have troubles or trials and tribulations when we stay "within" the safety fence or when we are keeping His loving teachings and instructions. The apostle Paul wrote "through the Holy Spirit" that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". 

 

I am simply saying that "by and large or for the most part" when we live in accordance with His loving teachings and instructions, we can be blessed and safe and find peace (and even joy) in the midst of suffering trials and tribulations. I know through personal experience that it is hard to find peace and joy in the midst of trials when you are walking in disobedience to His loving ways. 

 

I am also NOT saying or trying to imply "in any way" that we need to keep His commandments or loving teachings and instructions "in order to" be saved! The Scriptures are clear that we are saved by grace through our faith in Yeshua and by what He did on the cross and His resurrection! He saves us in our fallen state! We have no need to try to clean ourselves up to be "good" enough for Him to accept us. Our good works are like filthy rags to Him in regards to trying to be righteous enough to be saved! Our salvation is a FREE gift, not gained by works, lest anyone should boast.

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But that same Bible that preaches those things also says that "faith without works is dead!" Those works come "after" our salvation, and because our hearts are in love with our Savior! So, if you think of the Bible as an instruction manual on "how to live life" you will quickly find that YHWH did NOT give us His loving teachings and instructions to be a "KILL JOY" or to "Rain on our parade". He gave us these instructions to follow that we might have life and live life abundantly! That can certainly NOT be found by "simply" keeping Torah commandments or "His loving teachings and instructions". We need His Holy Spirit to change our hearts and to cause us to desire a new way, His way. Then, at that point, we have the instruction manual which tells us the good way! 

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Too many Christians take a few verses from the New Testament out of context and think that the Father's "laws" or loving teachings and instructions have been done away with today. Simply use common sense and read the Word of God with the heart of a little child. Do you really think that once we accept Yeshua and become a new creation that we are THEN free to have other gods? Do you think we are THEN free to take His name in vain or that Yeshua came and died on the cross so that we could discard the laws of God and be free to kill, commit adultery, steal, etc,,? God forbid! Does it make any sense at all that Yeshua came and lived a "sinless" life and did NOT sin, so that He could THEN do away with the very laws that He kept to be the sinless sacrifice? Well, ask yourself: what is the definition of "sin"? You do not need to guess, because Scripture clearly tells us exactly what "sin" is. It is found in 1st John 3:4  Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression (or breaking) of the law. 

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Now, there are certainly numerous "laws from Torah" that are NOT to be followed today, which is contrary to the teachings of many "messianic or Hebrew-roots" followers. Do you honestly think we are to stone our children when they dishonor us as their parents? Do you think we are to sacrifice animals and spill blood for "sin" offerings today? These priestly laws were done away first and foremost because they are NO longer needed after what Yeshua did on the cross. There has been a change in these "priestly" laws.            

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Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

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Also, a little common sense goes a long way. Ask yourself, "If Yeshua's death ended the law, then are we free to have other gods today, take the Lord's name in vain, to commit adultery, to steal, to covet, etc...? Of course not! 

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But wait one minute, if this is true, then why did Yeshua Himself say in Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 
Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 
Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

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I would submit to you that just as we have a better understanding by using the Strong's concordance to see what the word "Law" and "torah" meant, we can also understand what Yeshua said here much more clearly if we look at the Strong's meaning for the Greek word "filfil" used at the end of Matt 5:17. So let's do that really quick. 

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G4137
πληρόω
plēroō
play-ro'-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
Total KJV occurrences: 90

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Now, this is where it CAN seem a little confusing because "sometimes" the MANY meanings listed in a Strong's definition seem to contradict one another. But the different meanings or definitions are the many different ways how this ONE word is actually used in many different verses within the New Testament. For instance: the Greek work pleroo or "fulfil" in the English language CAN in some Bible verses mean: (see the words in blue above) to execute, to finish a task, to accomplish, to complete, to end, to expire. So, it COULD look like Yeshua is stating that He came to execute or bring a finish or an end to the law, or to accomplish or complete the law, or to end the law, or to make the law expire.

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But that would make no sense "if" you applied "these" meanings to the end of this verse.  It would be like Yeshua was somehow saying: "think NOT that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am NOT come to DESTROY, but I came to execute or bring a finish or an end to the law, and to make the law expire (or destroy it). That would be a clear contradiction. 

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But if you insert the "other" definitions that the word "fulfil" CAN mean, then it makes complete and total sense. Try it and see if it flows better: "think NOT that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am NOT come to DESTROY, but I came to literally cram the law full, like a fisherman would cram a net full with fish. I came to fill up the law and to make it full, or fully preach the law, to make it perfect, to supply the law for all." 

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And here is how you can KNOW that this is the correct way to interpret this verse: because if you put this verse "in context" immediately AFTER Yeshua said that he came to "fulfil" or "fully preach" the law to make it perfect, He then says: Matt 5:18-19 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

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In other words, Yeshua finishes the thoughts and meaning of the "fulfil" verse by then saying that anyone who breaks even the "least" of the commandments will be called "least" in the kingdom, BUT those who DO and TEACH these commandments shall be called GREAT in the kingdom.

And here is the REAL kicker that I believe proves it! Right after THESE verses Yeshua then teaches in Matt 5:21-26 about murder and anger. Yeshua quotes the Old Testament Torah law and says "You have heard that it was said by them of old time (in the Torah), Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But then Yeshua goes on and "fully preaches or fills up the law" by teaching that it is not JUST the physical act of killing someone that is wrong, BUT that even "being angry at your brother without a cause" is like killing or murdering your brother! 

Yeshua then gives yet another example where he "fully preaches" or "fills up the law more completely" in Mat 5:27 when He says "You have heard that it was said by them of old time, (in the Old Testament Torah law) that you shalt not commit adultery:" AND then Yeshua "fills up or fully preaches" this law by saying in Matt 5:28  "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

 

So, Yeshua makes the law even MORE encompassing, not LESS! Yeshua RAISES the standard, not lowers it. No longer are you guilty ONLY when you do just the physical act, BUT now you are even guilty with the words of your mouth and with the secret thoughts in your hearts!

 

So, this subject could literally go on for pages, but here is what I believe the summation is that Yeshua has revealed to me and wants me to share. Of course, Yeshua did NOT come to "do away with" the very loving teachings and instructions that His Heavenly Father had always taught and which Yeshua kept completely so that He could be "sinless". There was an obvious change in the sacrificial or temple laws that dealt with blood sacrifices of animals for sin offerings, because those were just shadow pictures that existed to point at what Yeshua would "one day" complete Himself, by dying on the cross, with His blood atoning for our sins ONCE and FOR ALL! 

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Yeshua fully preached the law, or filled it up and made it complete, so that every man was quilty, not just those who did the outward physical transgression, but also those who had the evil thoughts and desires within their own hearts and minds. Now, no man could justify himself as being good enough by keeping the law, because we have ALL failed in our minds and hearts! Yeshua left no way out EXCEPT for the sacrifice He provided on Calvary! And yet, that is ALL that is needed and it is a FREE gift offered to everyone!

 

God doesn't send ANYONE to hell. A person sends themselves there when they refuse to accept the FREE gift offered to all men! But a prisoner in a jail cell is NOT free just because the judge comes and stands outside his cell and tells him he is free, nor is that prisoner even free if the judge hands him the key to the cell door. That prisoner is only free once he places the key into the lock and unlocks the door and leaves that prison that has held him captive.

 

In the same way, we are not "TRULY" free, (even after accepting the free gift of salvation) "if" we continue to hold on to bitterness and unforgiveness and anger and hatred, etc... or other sins.

 

Yeshua wants to set you COMPLETELY FREE! I did not say these things to condemn anyone who reads this. I have struggled with many of these things in the past also. I share these things in hopes that you will come and bring ALL of your heart to Yeshua and ask Him to heal it and to set your free! He desires to heal ALL of you (heart, body and soul) and He will, "if" you will surrender it all to Him! HalleluYah! I hope this has encouraged you to seek more freedom and that you will fight for it until you are completely FREE!

 

One of the ways that helped Lisa and I to grow the most and to get much more freedom in our lives was slowly working through the Biblical counseling "self-help" workbook. If that sound interesting to you, please go to the two articles titled "Are you TRULY happy" and "How to care for your heart". Begin your journey to happiness and freedom!       

 

Shalom (peace) to all!

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