Pastor Burkinshaw recently received the following question via email:
QUESTION:
"If the justification for women not being allowed to wear what you define as 'men's' clothing comes from deuteronomy, ie the Mosaic law, and you suppose that Christians are beholden to follow Mosaic law, why do we not also follow the other hundres of laws ie
Deut 22:12, which commands that we attach tassels to our cloaks?
It seems like picking and choosing which commandments to keep."
PASTOR BURKINSHAW'S RESPONSE:
The law contained three parts in its entirety the Moral law of righteousness, the civil law and the ceremonial law. Jesus Christ fulfilled all three completely to be our savior and our salvation. Our salvation in Jesus Christ frees us from the curse of the Law which is the judgment of God on any failure to obey the Law in any point.
Ga 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.11 For he that said,Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
The works of the law cannot save us!
Ro 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ro 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might
be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
However where we have liberty, lasciviousness does not edify!
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
The law is itself spiritual and good as it was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ
Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The ceremonial part of the law was fulfilled in Christ, the civil law abides with Israel and the moral law still teaches us God's righteousness.
Ro 7:14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Since our savior is righteous and we are born of him we wish to learn the morality or righteousness of the law that he gave man and then came to earth and fulfilled.
1Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
With out the nation of Israel under biblical Judaism there is no civil law only principles that we might apply to our interpersonal relationships or to make the laws of any nation seeking righteousness.
Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
The ceremonial is done away in Jesus Christ.
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
The morale law remains a instructor in righteousness for us.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
