The Bible teaches that the law, given to the Israelites, is holy, righteous, and good, as described in Rom 7:12. The law consists of different components: ceremonial laws related to religious practices, civil laws for governing Israel’s society, and moral laws, which reflect God’s eternal character. The moral laws, especially the Ten Commandments, provide the foundation for ethical living, guiding how people relate to God and one another. The law serves multiple purposes, including revealing God’s holiness and helping individuals recognise their sin. According to Rom 3:20, the law makes us aware of our sin, but it cannot make us righteous. Instead, the law points to our need for a saviour, Jesus Christ.
Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfil it (Matt 5:17). Through His life and sacrificial death, Jesus satisfied the requirements of the ceremonial and civil laws, making them no longer binding on believers. However, the moral laws, which reflect God’s unchanging nature, remain relevant and important. Jesus summarised the heart of the law in His command to love God and love one another (Matt 22:37-40). This love-based fulfilment of the law is central to Christian living.
The commandments of God, particularly the moral commandments, continue to stand even under the New Covenant. The Book of Revelation emphasises this point. In Rev 12:17 and 14:12, God’s people are identified as those who keep His commandments and hold fast to their faith in Jesus. This shows that, even in the end times, obedience to God’s commandments remains a key characteristic of faithful believers. Rev 22:14 highlights that those who live in accordance with God’s will have the right to the tree of life and access to the New Jerusalem.
Though Christ has fulfilled the ceremonial aspects of the law, the moral commandments are eternal and essential for Christian discipleship. These commandments guide how we live out our faith, reflecting God’s love and holiness. They are not burdensome rules but divine principles that help us love God and others, reflecting His kingdom on earth. As believers, our obedience to God’s commandments is a witness to the world, and we are called to faithfully follow them until Christ returns.
The Bible teaches that love is the ultimate fulfilment of the law. In Rom 13:10, Paul writes, “Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law.” This is in line with Jesus’ teachings, where He summarised the entire law in the commandments to love God and our neighbour. When we walk in perfect love, we naturally fulfil the commandments because love motivates us to act in ways that honour both God and others. Love leads us to live out God’s will, not through fear or obligation, but through a genuine desire to reflect His character. We are reminded in 1 John 4:18 that “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” As we grow in God’s love, we are empowered to fulfil His commandments from a place of joy and obedience. 1 John 2:5 says, “But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him.” When we are perfected in God’s love, we seek to obey Him and avoid sin because love compels us to live in a way that honours God.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk