Sinclair Ferguson

The only part of the law that was placed in the Ark of the Covenant was the Ten Commandments.

That said something.

That said, that yes, there is a unity in the law God gives to us, but there is also a dimension to the law God gives us that is rooted and grounded in these commandments that are placed in the Ark of the Covenant, indicating that they belong to the very heart of the relationship.

This is the lifestyle that is pleasing to the heavenly Father.

And yes, of course the ceremonial law was given until Christ came.

But then as Calvin says, when the noonday sun arises, you know around striking matches in order to be able to see.

The liturgy drops out because the great high priest has come.

And yes, the civil laws are abrogated because they were given for this nation that had its purpose in God's economy until Christ came.

It had a very special purpose in God.

It was God's servant until God's final servant came.

And so the laws that governed Israel

are not laws that are to be distributed internationally.

They belong to a particular people in a particular place at a particular time.

Yes, we may learn lessons from them.

And so there is stage three of fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

And this is, of course, what Paul is saying in Romans 8.

The condemnation of the law, as well as obedience to the law, both meet in Jesus Christ.

And then there is the fulfillment of the law in us, a fourth stage.

The very point that Paul makes in that pivotal statement in Romans 8, 3 and 4, that Christ bore the judgment of God against our breach of the law, not in order for us to say, law is no longer relevant.

but in order that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."