Note 1 at Lk. 16:16: The Bible teaches that there are different dispensations or divinely ordered ways of God dealing with mankind throughout the ages (1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25). The Old Testament law was only a temporary dispensation (Gal. 3:19,24-25) and ruled from the giving of the law (Ex. 20) until the ministry of John the Baptist (Mt. 11:13; this verse).

The New Testament believer is under the dispensation of God's grace (Eph. 3:2). We are not under the law (Rom. 6:14; Gal. 3:19,24-25). That doesn't mean the law has passed away. The next verse states clearly that it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the law to fail.

The law hasn't failed. It has been fulfilled (Mt. 5:17). Christ fulfilled every jot and tittle (see note 2 at Lk. 16:17, below) of the law for us and imputes to us that righteousness, not based on our performance but on our faith in Him (Rom. 8:4, 10:4; 2 Cor. 5:21). The law was never given for the purpose of justification (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; 5:4). It was totally powerless to save (Rom. 8:3; Heb. 7:18-19; 9:9). It only showed us our need and pointed us to a Savior (Gal. 3:24).

The law was not made for a righteous man (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Tim. 1:9) and it still serves a purpose for those who are not born again. For those who do not accept Jesus as their Savior, the wrath of God, which the law produces (Rom. 4:15), abides on them (see note 4 at Jn. 3:36, p. 52).