Also, this shows that the law was to be kept in the old covenant even though righteousness came by faith. So, in the new covenant righteousness comes by faith and thereby just as in the old covenant we are to keep the law.
You might say "wait a minute, we are no longer under the old covenant!" And your right, we aren't! However, many people make the mistake thinking that the old covenant is the law. Scriptures proves and shows that the law of Jehovah existed prior to the old being ratified (Exodus 24:6-8). Remember, Abraham kept Jehovah's commandments, statutes and laws. This was long before the old covenant existed. You might say "the 10 commandments didn't exist until Sinai" but I would ask then what commandments did Abraham obey then? You might say "they were different commandments than those written by Jehovah's very own fingers on the tables of stone." I would then give you the scripture in Malachi 3:6 "For I, Jehovah change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."
Jehovah's 10 Commandments don't change and are immutable. These are the same commandments that Abraham obeyed. Remember, Abraham wasn't justified by the law but he was justified by faith (Romans 4:1-3). The bible says all those who are righteous by Faith are Abraham's seed. Being Abraham's seed we follow his example (Romans 4:12-13) and what was his example? Genesis 26:5 "because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws.
Do you see this beautiful truth? Keeping Jehovah's Royal Law is a fruit of righteousness by faith. If we are truly Abraham's seed then we will keep the commandments of God just like Abraham did. Some will say "it's impossible to keep the commandments of God", in fact many Pastor's and theologians teach this heresy proving that there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20). Look at this scripture below, Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were righteous and kept all the commandments and ordinances of Jehovah and were blameless. Do see the pattern? Obedience to God's commandments always follows Righteousness by Faith. It was because Zacharias and his wife were righteous that they kept God's commandments not the other way around meaning "the kept God's commandments and that made them righteous".
Luke 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Back to the statement that Jehovah's 10 Commandments don't change and also the claim that they existed before Sinai. Look at passage below in Hebrews 8, it says that the true tabernacle is in heaven and that Jehovah pitched this tabernacle not man. How do we know that the tabernacle in heaven precedes that of the one Moses had built? Verse 5 below says the earthly tabernacle was the example and shadow of heavenly things.
Hebrews 8:1-5 (KJV)
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
How do we know God's law is in the tabernacle in heaven as it was in the tabernacle on earth?
Revelation 11:16-19 (KJV)
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Do you see that above^^^^ The ark of the testament is in heaven. Can anyone honestly say that Jehovah's commandments are not be adhered to today? Notice that the opening of the temple and the sight of the ark of the covenant (testimony-tables of the law) is in connection with the judgment of the nations and the rewards for the prophets and the saints and those who fear the name of Jehovah. This should tell us something, that God's law is the measuring stick by which we will all be judged. This sight of the testimony of Jehovah (Decalogue) is also in connection with the destruction of those who destroy the earth. Violation of Jehovah's Royal Law destroys the earth whether it's covetesness (greed), homosexuality, fornication, murder, violation of Jehovah's sabbath (failing to give man, beast and the earth proper rest and man proper acknowledgement that Jehovah created all things).
So what changed from old covenant to the new covenant. It's actually very clear, the ceremonial law such as the Levitical preisthood, temple service, animal sacrifices, meat, drink and burnt offerings and the ceremonies associated with them. Also, the debt of violating Jehovah's law was nailed at the cross. Remember the definition of sin is the transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). We no longer have the death sentence for violating Jehovah's Royal Law inasmuch we repent of our sins and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Now, don't get me wrong, civil government may enforce punishment for violating aspects of God's law that are criminal and this can include a death sentence in this life but the violater before God can repent and have life everlasting in the kingdom to come. So the civil aspect of God's law as far as the punishments go were fufilled in theocratic Israel and to a much lesser degree in today's governments that go by aspects of the Mosaic law.
The new covenant entails the Melchesidek preisthood of Jesus Christ in the heavenly sanctuary as mediates on our behalf to the Father. Unlike the old covenant where the temple was a physical one, we are now the temple of Jehovah. Unlike the earthly tabernacle, the true tabernacle in heaven that Jehovah pitched is where we offer our spiritual sacrifices for the remission of sins. Jesus Christ was the once and for all sacrifice thereby no more need for animals to be slain and burnt at the physical altar.
Hebrews 10:12-14 (KJV)
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Notice the end of verse 14 where it says "he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified"
The key word is "sanctified", Jesus didn't offer himself on the cross so that Christians can live in disobedience to the law of God which is the definition of sin. The greek word for sanctification is "hagiazo" which means "hallow, be holy (set apart), to separate from profane things, to purify, to purify internally by the renewing of the soul, to cleanse externally."
Jesus only perfects those who live a sanctified life. Much of today’s pulpit preachers teach a false version of grace that leads to destruction and is a soul destroying doctrine. Teaching that God's law is done away with or no longer applies contradicts the very words of Jesus.
Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Notice the word "EVERY". Jehovah's law is a big part of scripture, you can't separate his law from his word nor can you seperate the law from his only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The core of Jehovah's word summed up in the 10 Commandments.
Deuteronomy 10:4 (ASV)
4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Jehovah spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Jehovah gave them unto me.
Isaiah 1:10-20 (ASV)
10 Hear the word of Jehovah, ye [a]rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the [b]law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. 12 When ye come [c]to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample my courts? 13 Bring no more [d]vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—[e]I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a [f]trouble unto me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 learn to do well; seek justice, [g]relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
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