The Law of God
Statement of Belief
We believe that the Ten Commandments, written by God's own hand, express His eternal moral law, which still applies to all humanity.
Matthew 5:17-20 — Romans 8:3-4 1)
Additional Information
The Ten Commandments, written by God's own hand, embody His eternal moral law that remains applicable to all humanity. As a Bible scholar, I want to explore this Christian view further by examining the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul, which reveal the significance, relevance, and purpose of the Law of God in the lives of believers.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus elucidates His relationship with the Law and its continuing importance. He states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus' words underscore the vital role of the Law within the context of His earthly ministry. He did not intend to dismantle it; instead, His mission was to bring it to its full realization and demonstrate its true intent.
Jesus further emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the Law, declaring, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place” (Matthew 5:18). He also highlights the need for believers to uphold the commandments, asserting that whoever relaxes the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, affirms the value of the Law while also addressing its limitations. He explains that the Law, weakened by human nature, could not save humanity from sin: “For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Nevertheless, Paul does not imply that the Law is now obsolete or irrelevant for believers.
On the contrary, he asserts that the righteous requirements of the Law are fulfilled in those who live by the Spirit: “so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Paul's writings elucidate that although the Law cannot save us from sin, its moral principles remain indispensable as we walk in the Spirit, seeking to fulfill its righteous requirements.
In the book of James, we encounter another perspective that complements the teachings of Jesus and Paul. James refers to the Law as the “law of liberty” (James 2:12), emphasizing that true freedom is found when believers adhere to the moral principles of the Law, while living under the grace provided by Jesus Christ. This idea reinforces the enduring significance of the Law in the lives of believers.
To summarize, the Christian view of the Law of God, as represented by the Ten Commandments, acknowledges its eternal importance and relevance to all humanity. Through Jesus Christ's teachings, the Apostle Paul's writings, and the insights from the book of James, we understand the crucial role the Law plays in guiding believers toward a righteous life. While it cannot save us from sin, the Law's moral principles, in conjunction with the grace provided through Jesus Christ, shape our spiritual growth and deepen our relationship with God. As Christians, we are called to walk in the Spirit, embracing the eternal moral law while experiencing the transformative power of God's grace.