Why do Christians say we get right with God by faith? Doesn the Old Testament portion of the Bible say its by obeying rules and commandments?
On approaching the Bible, many wonder whether there are not two ways of getting right with God. In the OT, at first glance, it seems to be following the ceremonial system of sacrifices, rituals, feast days, and obedience to the law of Moses (10 Commandments, etc.). One might get the impression the people earned and deserved God’s favor by their good behavior. On the other hand, the NT seems to state clearly that forgiveness of sins and eternal life come not by our earning or deserving, but by God’s grace, mercy, love & compassion through the gift of faith alone. Since the NT claims to fulfill the OT, let’s first see if it indeed does teach faith alone as the way. Note the following passages: (Jn 3:15) “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 5:24) “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life
