| For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ — John 1:17 The apostle John is contrasting the Old Testament, the law given by Moses, with the New Testament, the grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31,32). The truth would make men free from sin. Paul said, "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). It is by the New Testament that men are saved, not by the Old Testament. "Tell me, you that desire to be under the law; do you not hear the law?" (Galatians 4:21) Even the Old Testament spoke of the time when there would be established a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). "In that he says, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13). The Old Testament, with the bringing of grace and truth by Jesus Christ, vanished away. On the mount of transfiguration, three personages appeared to them: Moses (representative of the law), Elijah (representative of the prophets), and Christ (representative of the New Testament). Peter wished to build three tabernacles: one for Christ, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; you hear Him." (Matthew 17:1 -6). A voice from heaven brought the message not to hear Moses and Elijah any longer, but now they were to listen to Christ! Are you heeding the voice from heaven and listening to the doctrine of Christ, the New Testament? Or, are you listening to the Old Testament? "God, who at different times and in diverse manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." (Hebrews 1:1,2) "And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32). |
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