At times, there may appear to be contradictions in the Bible. Usually this happens when a person reads on the surface level, and does not take time to work through Scripture with Holy Spirit’s leading. There are hidden treasures found in the Word of God, and since they’re hidden, you have to dig to find them. Yes, it requires work. It is a labor of love. It was Love that brought the Word, and because we love God, we spend time digging to both know Him and draw near to Him. The Bible is not a textbook, so our approach to it cannot be cerebral. We must study it using our heart, which in turn renews the mind. Even science has discovered the heart actually has a brain of its own, which makes perfect sense, since we are to believe with the heart. We actually labor from a place of rest when we study using the heart, as Holy Spirit reveals those treasures. Jesus said some apparent contradictory things that seem difficult to reconcile with the rest of Scripture; however, upon closer examination, we will find they fit together perfectly. So let’s begin with one of those sayings found in Matthew.
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17-19).
“Hold on! I thought we were under grace and not under the Law, yet Jesus just said whoever keeps and teaches it will be called great in the Kingdom. So, are we still supposed to follow the Law?”
Doesn’t that contradict Galatians 3:11? Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith,” or as the KJV puts it: “The just shall live by faith.” Actually, there is no contradiction here. Let’s break it down using what Jesus said in Matthew and other passages in the Bible. To begin, Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. “Fulfil” is a key to unlocking this verse. What does it mean to fulfill? In the Greek, this word means to make full or fill, just as you would fill a vessel or hollow place. It literally means to cram. Figuratively, to fill, supply abundantly with something or impart richly. Finally, it means to bring to a full end, accomplish, complete, or to fulfill. It means that Jesus brought a full end to the Law by fulfilling all its requirements –He made it complete. Prior to the Cross and Resurrection, which is when Jesus said this, the Law of Moses was still in effect. Of course, after the Cross and Resurrection, grace came into effect. Those under grace, are complete in Jesus Christ, and come under a New Law.
Romans 3:21-31 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus . . . so that He would be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law . . . Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law (read entire chapter for full context).
This new Law of Faith simply operates by love (see Galatians 5:6), and thus we find: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).
Obviously, those who are not under grace, are under the Law. Jesus not only talked about fulfilling the Law, He also said He would fulfill the Prophets. These are actually joined together. The prophets declared that Jesus would fulfill the Law of Moses and bring us under a New Covenant. The prophetic books (Psalms; Isaiah, Jeremiah, and so on), prophesied Jesus would be born of a Virgin, live a sinless life, be beaten, die on the Cross and rise from the dead. Many prophecies have been fulfilled, and there are numerous ones yet to be fulfilled. When they are complete, no one will be under the Law of Moses, neither will there be sin and death.
The requirements pertaining to the sacrifice and atonement for our sins were completely satisfied by Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. In short, as the result of our new nature in Jesus Christ, we comply with the Law simply by loving others. Love does not covet or do harm to others.
