Has God Relaxed the Moral Code of Old Testament Law?

Has the Death Penalty for Murder, Homosexuality, Adultery… Been Rescinded in the New?

Has God Changed His Mind Because of “Grace”?

The Moral Code of the Law given to Moses, i.e. the Ten Commandments and Death Penalty Statutes were not rescinded by Jesus. On the contrary, He actually “beefed them up” as He stated that sins such as murder and adultery can be committed in the heart even if not acted upon (Matthew 5:21-28).

The Law demanded the death penalty for certain transgressions including adultery, homosexuality, and certain cases of incest (Exodus 22, Leviticus 18 & 20). Again and again the verdict is given, “They shall surely die.”

Before we go any farther—please understand— we are NOT espousing anyone who commits sexual sins, including homosexuals, to die or be killed! In fact, under “GRACE” God does not put to death, in the sense of criminal justice, anyone for these sins. Even so, neither has He rescinded the death penalty for these wicked sins! God still maintains they “are worthy of death” (Rom. 1:32).

What was sin under the Law is sin under Grace. And what was worthy of the death penalty under the Law still carries the sentence of death under Grace.

Of course, to the world and unbelievers, especially those engaged in these sinful lifestyles, this makes God look terrible and His Word dishonorable, narrow-minded, and totally irrelevant for today’s post modern, socially-enlightened people!

But God says that He is God, and He changes not (Mal. 3:6). These sins still require the death penalty, and it will be exacted with no respect of persons. In fact, God has added the death penalty to ALL sin under the New Covenant of Grace! Yes, even shoplifting a $2.99 item carries the death penalty! A little white lie, as well as drunkenness, violence, and extortion, all carry the same sentence: “For the wages of sin is death…” (R om. 6:23).

The Difference Grace Makes Is: Someone Else Was Executed in Our Place.

The death penalty cannot be circumvented. It must be honored, because God is a righteous Judge. Every sin demands the death penalty, but God’s grace gave the one and only sacrifice that could satisfy the death penalty and not destroy the sinner: “But God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath to come “ (Rom. 5:8-9).

“For Christ was offered to bear the sins of many…” (Heb. 9:28). “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament” (Heb. 7:22). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

The death sentence stands as the laws of God dictates, but Jesus, God’s Holy Sinless Son, was executed in our place upon the cursed tree: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13).

God has not relaxed His position on sin, including homosexuality, especially knowing the terrible price Jesus paid to satisfy the death penalty for us. “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

About The Author

Sharon

Sharon Hardy Knotts is the daughter of R.G. & Doranne Hardy. She has served alongside of her parents in ministry at Faith Tabernacle Church, Baltimore, Maryland since childhood. Sharon was baptized in the Holy Spirit at age 7 in an old-fashioned tent revival, where she was slain in the Spirit, speaking in tongues. She began “preaching” in youth services at age 9, and began traveling with her father in evangelistic meetings at age 13.

Like her father and grandmother before her (Mother Mary Hardy), Sharon is an avid student of the Bible and holds a Master’s in Theology from CLST, Columbus, Georgia. She is an accomplished teacher of the Word and also an anointed preacher. The marriage of these different delivery styles has produced scores of ministry tapes on various pertinent topics, which appeal to many believers.

Sharon and her husband Benny serve in fulltime ministry at R.G. Hardy Ministries. He prints Faith Is Action and oversees its publication and distribution. Family: Three grown children, Scott & Todd Stubblefield, and Sarah Knotts. Daughters-in-laws: Corinne & Amy Stubblefield. Grandsons: Noah & Matthew Stubblefield are Scott’s sons. Sharon especially enjoys writing and serves as Editor of Faith Is Action and other Ministry publications. She also writes essays and poetry, some of which can be found here.

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