The law was never meant to be a measure of your goodness. It was to be a teaching aid, a tutor, appointed to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24-26). As a revelation of God's demand for an absolute 'mirror-image' reflection of His righteousness, it was meant to drive us to the foot of the Cross in repentance. The lesson of the Old Testament is that we need a new heart and a new spirit. Christ alone can be the source of righteousness. Imputed righteousness. And imparted righteousness.

Unfortunately many see the law as something else - a means of cultivating self-righteousness: a sense of 'relative righteousness' or a 'phantom righteousness'.

'Relative righteousness' is the false assumption that we are righteous if we outwardly seem to be more moral than others. Yet the Scriptures tell us "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10). It also tells us that God looks upon the heart.

The law was to take away all possibilities of boasting. A phantom righteousness is the false assumption that we will somehow be righteous if we refer to righteousness enough. Some think that by merely loving righteousness, or becoming devoted preachers of the law that they become righteous 'by association'. This fosters legalism and hypocrisy. To be an admirer of righteousness is not the same things as being righteous.

A codified description of righteousness can deceive us into thinking that we can somehow by ourselves 'measure up', rather than get us to look for Someone who can 'measure up' on our behalf.

Many people see the law as an end in itself instead of Christ as the end of the law. It's a bit like a person going to a restaurant just to read the menu, but never eating. Imagine sitting down at a restaurant, reading the menu and marveling at all the delicious foods offered. Your mouth waters at the lush photographs and descriptions of what is promised. After you have finished reading thoroughly, you ask the waiter for the bill, and express thanks for the opportunity to enjoy their fine menu. You say, "I enjoyed this restaurant very much. I'd like to come back and read this menu again sometime." The waiter would think that you are crazy. The purpose of the menu is to get you to see that good food is available to meet your need.

Once the meal is set before you, the menu can be taken away. So the Old Covenant ceremonial law is fulfilled in Christ. The Old Covenant tabernacle, priesthood, offerings, feast days are fulfilled in Christ. The prophetic history is also about Christ. Jesus said Moses wrote of me (John 5:46; see Hebrews 10:1, Colossians 2:17).

It is interesting that many devotees of the law referred to the Torah as the 'bread of life', the 'light of the world'. Jesus assumed these titles for Himself. He said "I am the light of the world. I am the bread of Life."

Jesus said, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you will not come unto me, that you might have life." (John 5:39,40).

I remember coming across this poem by an anonymous author:

I find my Lord in the Bible, where ever I chance to look,
He is the theme of the Bible, the center and heart of the Book;
He is the rose of Sharon, He is the Lily fair,
Where ever I open my Bible, the Lord of the Book is there.

He, at the Book's beginning, gave the earth its form,
He is the Ark of shelter, bearing the brunt of the storm,
The burning bush of the desert, the budding of Aaron's rod,
Where ever I look in the Bible, I see the Son of God.

The ram upon Mt. Moriah, the Ladder from earth to sky,
The scarlet cord in the window, and the serpent lifted high,
The smitten rock in the desert, the Shepherd with staff and crook,
The face of my Lord I discover, where ever I open the Book.

He is the Seed of the woman, the Savior Virgin born;
He is the Son of David, whom men rejected with scorn,
His garments of grace and beauty the stately Aaron deck,
Yet He is a priest forever, for He is Melchizadek.

Lord of eternal glory who John, the Apostle, saw;
Light of the golden city, Lamb without spot or flaw,
Bridegroom coming at midnight, for whom the virgins look.
Whenever I open my Bible, I find my Lord in the Book.

Don't just read the menu. Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8).