The law at its full strength

When we read from Matthew Chapter 5 to Matthew Chapter 7, - 'the sermon on mount', we see that Jesus has recalled many commandments from the Old Testament and has re-established them with more burden saying, "You have heard that you shall do this commandment in this way, but I tell you that you should really do it in this way..." 

Obviously, we see that Jesus has changed the way the Law was given to Moses. But still Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5:17 (in the same sermon on mount) that He did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it.

 

(Matthew 5:17)

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

What did Jesus mean by 'fulfilling the Law'?

In the Old Testament, God did not give the commandments to His people at the full strength or at the right standard as they could not bear it. But, after Jesus came to this world, He started giving all the commandments at their full strength. 

For example, in the Old Testament, God wanted His people not to commit adultery, but still they committed adultery. However, in the New Testament, this commandment has been made more difficult for man to keep, despite the fact that even the commandment of Adultery, given by then, was not properly kept by them. 

(Matthew 5:27-28)

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  

There is a special reason for this.  Jesus re-established the Law of Moses at the right standard as Jesus was planning to give someone to the man, who would enable the man in the New Testament or give the necessary POWER to the man in the New Testament in order to keep the commandments at their right standard. Guess who this someone? 

Yes, it is none other, but the Holy Spirit. Look at the below scriptures: 

(John 14:16-17)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(John 14:26)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

The people in the Old Testament did not have this inner POWER of the Holy Spirit to keep the Law of Moses. As a result, they failed all the time, even though the Law had not been given at its full strength. 

But, Jesus made it so easy for the people in the New Testament by sending the Holy Ghost to the World so that Jesus Himself fulfilled the Law in us at the right standard. 

However, those who have not called for the POWER of the Holy Ghost to keep the Law which was re-established by Jesus at the right standard, are more miserable than the people in the Old Testament because the Law has been made more difficult in the New Testament for man to keep alone with their own strength. 

However, many believe that it is not necessary to go up to this extreme in keeping the commandments. For example, the new commandment given concerning Adultery, many people think that they need not keep it as it is given by Jesus (Obviously because they cannot do it in this manner).  

But we should not forget that whether we obtain the POWER of the Holy Spirit and keep them as given by Christ or not, we are judged according to the Law, given at the right standard in the New Testament.

Therefore, let's communicate with the Holy Ghost, who dwells in us, in order to receive the POWER to keep the commandments to the right standard declared by Jesus.

There is a special anointing of the Holy Spirit for every commandment which we find difficult to keep. For instance, there is an anointing to continue in HOLINESS without which we cannot see God. 

It is our duty to call upon the Holy Spirit and receive this anointing to lead a victorious life in Christ. Keeping commandments at their right standard would be very easy as it is not we, who do it, but the Spirit of the Living God - Hallelujah!. If we give the job to the Holy Spirit, He would do it for us. Amen!