I understand the Old Testament is still part of the Bible and Jesus came to fulfill the law. The law was what people lived by then right? Didn't Jesus come because there was no way that a person could live by every letter of the law. That is why there were sacrifices made for differing sin. I am not trying to be combative but the people had laws thay had to live by or face the punishments. There was no grace whatsoever was there? No second or third chances from my reading. We are not to sin so that grace may abound but are to get rid of all sin as we follow Jesus because only the pure in heart will be able to see God. Could you help me with references about the punishments from different sins? Just trying to learn man. Thanks
The Law was what Israel, God's covenant people, were supposed to live.
Didn't Jesus come because there was no way that a person could live by every letter of the law?
Jesus came, in part, to fulfill the Law. The law of sacrifice was given as a powerful, participatory prophecy (forgive my alliteration) of His future atonement. Animal sacrifice was a forshadowing of the final, infinite sacrifice of the Son of God.
You're correct that nobody could obey the law perfectly, except for Jesus. As Paul said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) The perfect atonement of the Savior paid that price for all who will come unto Him. Through His grace and atonment, all can be forgiven of their sins.
There was no grace whatsoever was there?
Under the Law, forgiveness came through obedience to the ceremonies outlined in it. (You can find more about the "sin offering" of the Law in Exodus 29) Once Christ came, His sacrifice ended the previous blood sacrifices. Forgiveness of sin is henceforth and forever available through Him and only Him.
Deuteronomy is a good place to look for the different punishments for sins against the Law. For example: Adultery - death of both, Rape - death of the rapist, Theft - repay fivefold , Enslavement - death of the abductor