“You are not married to the law and the oldness of the letter, but to the newness of the Spirit.” – John Piper
Most people recognize the Ten Commandments. It’s typically pictured by stone tablets, or something Moses used to talk about, or strict rules by God for us to follow that of course, no one can perfectly accomplish. They’re used as the subject matter for many jokes that go along something like this, “Thou shall not _____.” Unfortunately, we often treat them and use them like a checklist to see how we’re performing. If we’ve only broken one or two on any given day, we might consider ourselves doing good.
What does it mean for us Christians today? Do they even matter? How do we apply this?
“Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” – Romans 7:4-6
What This Means For Christians Today
Paul explains in the verses before this of how a woman is bound to her husband while he lives in their marriage. However, if he dies, she is released from the law of marriage (Romans 7:1-3). He is comparing that to how followers of Christ have died to the law (Ten Commandments). He is saying that we live in the new way of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) and not in the old way of the written code. Meaning for followers of Jesus, it’s not about our performance or how many items we can check off from our checklist, but rather it’s about what Jesus has already done for us on the Cross. Followers of Christ are not under the Ten Commandments because He First Loved Us.
Do They Even Matter?
Most of the time the Ten Commandments are thought of in this “Old Testament ritual” type of way, meaning they are worthless today and there is no point. I would argue there is still a great point for the Law as we have it in the Bible. The reason would be is that we still get to understand the Character of God. We get to understand what is important to Him and what He is against. We get to understand what we should do and what we shouldn’t do as followers of Jesus, and most importantly, we get to understand that we will never, ever, be able to fulfill all of them completely. We will never be able to get this right because of sin. They serve as a reminder to us that since we can never get it right, someone had to get it right for us. This is where Jesus comes in.
When God looks at us, He doesn’t see us or our sin. Rather, He sees His Son. He sees Jesus who is fully God and who was fully man. Jesus fulfilled this Law. Since God sees Jesus when He looks at us, we are made righteous through Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the Cross. The complete law (Ten Commandments) was completely settled by Jesus and nothing can change that.
How We Apply This
So if we believe Jesus paid it all, does that mean we can just sin freely and let grace take care of everything? Paul proclaims we have died to sin, so how can we still live in it (Romans 6:1-3)? We now live in the new Spirit and we are not measured under the Law any longer.
We don’t start our day off with a checklist for completing good tasks, but rather we start our day off praying to God and thanking Him for everything He has done for us. We praise Him for sending His Son to die for us and that through Christ, we are free. We strive to be obedient to how the Bible says we should live because of an overwhelming gratitude of what has been done for us.
Can we still read the Ten Commandments and make an effort not to break any of them? Sure. There is nothing wrong with that, however, we can’t make that the top priority and the only point. We need to understand that we will indeed break them, but we aren’t measured by them. I would encourage you to think first on what Jesus has done for you, and let that be your guide for striving to live a holy and obedient lifestyle.
Let me be clear, do we still keep God’s commandments? Yes. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). The main point is that while we still keep the commandments, the commandments are not the ultimate thing, Jesus is.
If you are not a follower of Christ, I would encourage you to read through one of the Gospels like the book of John. Becoming a follower of Christ is not about following a set of rules. It’s not about performance and you will never be perfect. In fact, I hope you’ve encountered Christians who admit they in fact will never be perfect, but their need for Jesus grows more and more each day. The best thing I could point you to is the Gospel and how Jesus died for you, personally.
So, are Christians under the Ten Commandments? No. The Bible says we’re not under the Law, but under Grace through the finished work of Jesus Christ. While the Law can still be a good thing because we don’t want to sin as we follow Jesus, it’s not the ultimate thing.
Here are other Frequently Asked Questions and how the Bible answers them.
Question: Do you still live as if you are under the Ten Commandments? Do you believe what Jesus did was enough? Please feel free to comment below.
The beloved disciple, who listened to the words of Jesus on the mount, writing long afterward under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaks of the law as of perpetual obligation. He says that “sin is the transgression of the law” and that “whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law.” 1 John 3:4. He makes it plain that the law to which he refers is “an old commandment which ye had from the beginning.” 1 John 2:7. He is speaking of the law that existed at the creation and was reiterated upon Mount Sinai.
Thanks so much for reading and for sharing John!
We aren’t supposed keep the ten commandments, but we are under the law of Christ, you know the one I’m referring to one you all say it’s not that one you one that talks about 1 Timothy 2:12, I command to love one another, or the one where it says women are to be silent ,or where it says for the women was deceived, or where for the was created first
Thanks for reading and for sharing Stanley. The ten commandments are definitely still important for us, and it’s great news that we don’t have to be perfect in keeping any law, because Jesus was perfect on our behalf. Praise God!
To understand scripture we must first know where to rightly divide them, 2 Tim 2:15. Jesus talked about this division when he said do not mix new wine in old wineskins and not sewing new cloth on old clothes. Paul wrote about this when he penned take off the old and put on the new. So there is a place to rightly divide the scriptures. This division is the cross, the death of Jesus. The death of Jesus ended the old covenant and began new covenant. The new covenant is from the cross to the present. The old covenant was… Read more »
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bruce!
JESUS OR PAUL OR BOTH. Who said in 2nd Timothy….. 2Ti 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, OHHHHH YA ……..THE HOLY SPIRIT (A.K.A) GOD Grace is an awesome word and gift from God, but is being abused by Grace preachers and not in balance with scripture…. Grace is mentioned over 120 times in New Testament, and God tells us why he gave grace, and it’s not just unmerited favor, it also includes, to… Read more »
JESUS OR PAUL OR BOTH. Who said in 2nd Timothy….. 2Ti 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, OHHHHH YA ……..THE HOLY SPIRIT (A.K.A) GOD Grace is an awesome word and gift from God, but is being abused by Grace preachers and not in balance with scripture…. Grace is mentioned over 120 times in New Testament, and God tells us why he gave grace, and it’s not just unmerited favor, it also includes, to… Read more »
I still haven’t found anything in the Bible that says God renounced The Ten Commandments or change his mind about it and since the Ten Commandments are in the Ark of the Covenant and the law of Moses was between Israel and the Ark as it wad set outside of the Ark it’s my belief that we are still to obey the Ten Commandments there’s a difference between law and a commandment
Thanks John for sharing, really appreciate it. We never said God renounced The Ten Commandments…I think if you were to read over the post again you would see our viewpoint on The Ten Commandments and why we believe Christians are not “under” them. Thanks again for sharing!
Actually Christians are under the Ten Commandments. Because we are under the blood DNA of Christ who said I have not come to change one. Nor tittle. But to fulfill the Commandments of course he did say law but he was referring to the Commandments. It is easy to keep the Ten Commandments under Jesus because he fulfilled it. If you are not saved there’s no way you can keep the Ten Commandments because they bring out the sin where Jesus contains the Ten Commandments, meaning he contains all sin. The only thing you have to do besides be truthful… Read more »
Thanks for sharing Duane. I think a lot of this terminology comes down to what it means to be “under.” What I’m talking about specifically is how our salvation doesn’t come down to the law and that when it comes to the law and the 10 commandments, we will never be able to keep them perfectly. In fact, the more we reflect on the fact we can’t keep them, the greater Jesus becomes. That being said, my point is Christians are not under the law but under grace and what Jesus has done for them. It could also be said… Read more »
I have to agree with other commentators who point out that the Law (including the “10 Commandments”) are not abolished. ” Sloppy agape” and “grace will take care of everything” have become such popular teachings because they tickle people’s ears, and pastors want to be “liked” and popular. I understand that many pastors have been poorly taught, but they can’t remain under this illusion and still find favor with Elohim. If you are going to take the title of pastor, of a shepherd, you will be held accountable. Please prayerfully reconsider your position. Christ said he “fulfilled” the Law, which… Read more »
Hey Ben….looks like you already commented on this thread as well so I’ll use the same response as before. I’d suggest that you read through the post to see the main point of the article and how the 10 commandments do in fact matter and have value, and at the same time, we don’t live under the law as followers of Jesus because of what He has done for us. Thanks for reading and sharing!
You are the same as others that don’t know what you are talking about
Stanley let’s just make sure as we engage on these dialogues here on the site that we remain respectful of one another. Duane’s can most definitely share his opinion on here and regardless of where we are at on our understanding of Biblical text, we can still communicate in a respectful manner. Thanks so much for reading and for sharing.
Does this makes sense? Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 1 John 2:7-8 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2… Read more »
Does one commit sin if he bears false witnesses base on the ten commandments?
Hey Delores, yes someone would sin if they lie. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for the question.
Sorry I have to butt in here, banned if I might be Mike, whatever, I can predict your answer already to this and it would be incorrect. Yes under the law and adulterous as well as the male they were stoned to death that’s the law of moses,but through Christ we are forgiven,but we don’t continue in sin John 8:1-11 The whole scenario Molly was a trap by the Pharisees to see if yeshua would act outside of the toRah, the law, the Law of Moses if you will. The act is called The law of Jealousy in Numbers 5:28.… Read more »
DO NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST The Bible tell us that God’s Ten Commandment law will stand throughout all eternity. These verses also make it clear that the covenant that stands forever is the covenant of the Ten Commandments. This is very important, because when the New Testament speaks of a covenant or a law that was discontinued, it cannot possibly refer to the law or covenant of the Ten Commandments. Furthermore, Ecclesiastes 3:14 makes it very clear that God will never change or abolish His Ten Commandment. At the end of creation week God blessed,… Read more »
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And
such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified,
but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit
of our God.
-1 Corinthians 6:9-10
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? -Hebrews… Read more »
“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you;
for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than
for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
“If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you;
for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than
for your whole body to go into hell.
Matthew 5:29-30
I don’t think you understand just how much God hates sin. Do not take it lightly. Do you really know Jesus Christ? Are you sure you are on the narrow way into heaven? “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is
broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through
it. -Matthew 7:13
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark. 1:15
Thank you for reading and for sharing. I think if you were to read the post again you would see the main points that are made and Jesus being the main point behind everything, not the law. The law in this context can be a good thing for many reasons, but it’s not the ultimate thing that many Christians still live by today.
Thank you for the comment, Mike. -for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. -Romans 3:20 -Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. -Romans 3:31 6 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang… Read more »
You are taking a ton of scriptures out of context to prove your point. In context the scriptures actually prove the opposite of your point. You are mixing what Jesus taught while under the law out of context with teachings of the apostles after the new covenant out of context.
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 1 John 2:4
but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected By this we know that we are in Him: 1 John 2:5
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
“Many” aren’t living by it because they’ve been taught by their pastors that sin “isn’t the point”. Christ was living, walking, breathing Torah-why did he fulfill it if it wasn’t the “main point”? He constantly pointed to his Father, he said he obeyed his Father in everything. That was to be the example to US, to show that we could be free from the chains of sinning, not be free to sin. The Law is about love of the Father and love of our fellow. Read it! It teaches us what these things mean, how to put them into practice… Read more »
Hey Ben….looks like you already commented on this thread as well so I’ll use the same response as before. I’d suggest that you read through the post to see the main point of the article and how the 10 commandments do in fact matter and have value, and at the same time, we don’t live under the law as followers of Jesus because of what He has done for us. Thanks for reading and sharing!
I would just like to Thank You for your comments!!!! Truth!!!
Thank you Dorothy.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another,
I understand the above scripture is quoted out of context. This relates to Israel no longer under the Law to her husband because of death, that she/Israel may be married to another, a risen promised Christ, saviour, this has nothing to do with the Law, the torah or instructions.
Keeping in mind that Paul’s calling was to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Ro 11:13), this quote from Romans 7:4 is directed, as most of Paul’s teachings were, to Gentile believers. One of Paul’s main concerns, which received his primary attention in Galatians, was the “influencers” or judaizers, probably Jewish converts to Christianity, who persisted in trying to influence the Gentiles to adopt a hybrid gospel of faith plus works. In Romans Ch 6 & 7, Paul is talking to Gentile believers about the Law, or instructions of Torah, in the context of the right motivation for following the… Read more »
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and the great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and Prophets” (Mat 22:37-40); in other words the law of God is involved in showing love to God and your neighbor! Perhaps that is why Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15) as well as “If you keep My commandments, you will abide… Read more »
Thanks for sharing Bobby. As you can probably tell from the post, I believe the main point is the fact that followers of Jesus are not “under” the law because we are now under grace because of what Jesus did for us. The 10 commandments are a good thing for the reasons listed within the post, but they are not the ultimate thing…which many still live by more importantly than living by what Jesus has already done for us. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mike 1 John 2:3: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we ‘keep’ his commandments. 4 He that saith, ”I know him”, and keepeth ”not” his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but… Read more »
Hey Bobby,
There are multiple areas within Romans that state how Christians are not under the law. Maybe it would be good to define what “under” means…as my point is not that the law is pointless…but rather the law is not what defines someone’s salvation or how they could have it…but faith and a relationship with Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Many Christians walk as if they are “under” the law for their salvation. That is the main point of the post above. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mike Yes correct, we are NOT under the law of sin and death, but this does not negate how we are expected to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. 1 John 2:3: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we ‘keep’ his commandments. 4 He that saith, ”I know him”, and keepeth ”not” his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The Law (means instructions in Hebrew) was never is place to merit and earn us salvation through our works, that was never, ever its design. But defines sin so… Read more »
Faith Without Works Is Dead James 2:14-26: 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have… Read more »
Im confused. How can we be sure we are following a righteous path if we have no guidelines to follow? Are christians still being judged and being persecuted in hell for eternity? Are we damned if we live according by the ten commandments and at the same we are still damned if we don’t live by the ten commandments. Im beginning to think that only the Jewish nation are being given access to eternal life in heaven. Where as us the gentiles “christians” are left confused and lost and sent to hell.
Hey Josh, Jesus is our guideline to follow. The good news is that for those who believe/trust/follow Jesus…we are forgiven because of what He has done and we will spend eternity with him. Think about the thief on the cross next to Jesus, all he did was believe in Jesus, and Jesus Himself declared that he would be with Him in paradise. Does that mean we want to follow the commandments? Sure, of course so…we want and strive to do all those things, but Jesus raised the bar even more. For example, we shouldn’t commit murder…so we won’t do that,… Read more »
You can’t get to the “ultimate thing” unless you go through the Law, just as Christ did. The Law is the guide, the teacher, which is why Christ obeyed it. It was his Father’s instructions for life on the earth He put us on, and we’re supposed to follow it in order to learn what the “ultimate thing” is: loving the Father and loving your neighbor. You think we can learn that by ourselves? Doing what? Reading self-help books, making up our minds we’re going to be really “good people”? Going to church on Sundays to hear pastors tell us… Read more »
Thanks for sharing Chris, I’d suggest that you read through the post to see the main point of the article and how the 10 commandments do in fact matter and have value, and at the same time, we don’t live under the law as followers of Jesus because of what He has done for us. Thanks for reading and sharing!
What you maybe missing is the fact that Paul, Sha’ul when he remarked on the Law, was referring to Rabbinical ‘Oral’ definitely not the written Law or Torah. Jesus said clearly in Mat 5:17, I have come NOT to destroy or annul the Law
I have been so confused about the Mosaic Law and grace. When I sin, and I do sin I ask God to forgive me, but the sins I commit is also a habit that I’m praying that God will eventually help me learn to control. I’m so happy that I’m saved by grace, but how can I get years of teaching that it is a sin to break a commandment, and must confess and do penance for each sin
Hey Janet, thanks so much for sharing. The main point of this post is that while of course we strive to obey what God’s Word says, our salvation has nothing to do with what we do and everything to do with what Jesus has done for us. We can continuously confess to God our sins, but what we need to remember is that Jesus only died once for us and we are only saved once. As we follow Jesus we will still make mistakes and need to keep following Him, but we need to have faith that we are forgiven… Read more »
It is written in 1 Corinthians 10: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to… Read more »
Mike, where can I read that we are forgiven of our future sins? Where can I read that we are not subject to the Commandments of God?
There is one thing you can do once you realized you have sinned….. Repent.
Please explain Matthew 5:19.
Hey Dre,
It isn’t a free ticket to sin, but rather a understanding that Jesus paid the price for all sins. Sometimes Christians think if they sin after becoming a believer, that they have lost their salvation or that they are now condemned, when Biblically that is now the case because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Thanks for sharing.
Amen! Check these out!
What does grace mean to you? Let’s look at some New Testament scriptures and see what we come up with that may address the rest of the article:
Consider first: Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor 5:1-5; James 5:9; Galatians 1:9; Hebrews 10:26-31; Jude 4; Mathew 7:22-23
1 John 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
The law is in effect for all those outside of christ. Stop taking scripture out of context.
First we know that in receiving the Lord JESUS we are saved by grace and we are righteous because of JESUS finished work on the cross,now when we get revelation of our sin no matter which one he nailed it to the cross,we are set free from sin,we are a new creation in Christ JESUS we have his spirit and nature within us to overcome all sin,but if we sin we have an advocate JESUS Christ between God and man to forgive us our sin, we walk thru faith in JESUS Christ keep walking in our journey with the Lord… Read more »
yes we are still under the Ten Commandments the only law Jesus fulfilled was the law of the sacrifice that is why he is the lamb that was slain for our sins.. (the Lamb of God) even Jesus honored the ten commandments even as to resting on the 7th day sabbath. in no where does the Bible say that the Ten c. were done away with in fact Jesus added another commandment. about loving your enemy. Exodus 24:12-18New International Version (NIV) 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will… Read more »
Appreciate you sharing Raylan…in the post I talk about how we are not under the ten commandments as in keeping a perfect law because of what Jesus has done for us. I’d encourage you to read that over again and think that would help.
Thanks so much!
i have studied it many times while studying for a theology degree and in Biblical history.. and since most people disregard the 4th we’ll just use that.. In Genesis 2:2 we read, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” If God is omnipotent—if He has all power—it doesn’t make much sense that He would need to “rest.” After we’ve had a busy week, we take a nap—but God? First, we should quote the verse correctly. It doesn’t say God… Read more »
Praise God! That was wonderfully put and delivered with precision!
It is the only day of the creation ‘week’ that is named, sabbath, separate, complete ceasing of cessation
Excellent and amen
Romans 7:7-10 this will give you proof.
Mr Todd if we are no longer under the ten commandments then, I could go out commit adultery, steal, murder, and what ever,,,
I would not be guilty of any of it if they were no longer in use..
there would be no reason to follow Jesus either . as He did away with them..
I am not under the ten commandments you can be if you want to, just make sure you obey every letter of it because if you keep the law and fail to obey it you are cursed.
Jesus says…..”If you love me keep my commandments” John 14:15. Do you love Jesus?
The bible says my grace is sufficient in your weakness,,He made a way where there seemth no way,trust in JESUS to transform you daily as you study and pray before the lord. JESUS became a curse for each sin so he took every sin in his body to give us victory over sin, if I was an alcoholic before I’m not no more cause JESUS nailed alcohol on the cross for me to be free from alcohol etc. We are to be born again in spirit and in truth to enter God holy kingdom,I’m immersed in Christ JESUS I don’t… Read more »
So I must ask you what is sin? What is the bibles definition of sin?
Just to save you a little time read 1 John 3:4
Jesus died for our past sins….Roman’s 3:25. Thats why Paul tellsaid us not to continue in sin.
It is up to us, once we accept Jesus Christ and are cleansed, to stay as clean as possible by living as he did….keeping the commandments.
Sure Jesus tells Paul that his grace is sufficient and if you live like Paul lived(trying your very best to keep the commandments) then his grace is sufficient for you as well. But for thoes who think they are not subject to the Commandments….the bible says that is a carnal mind. Roman’s 8:6-7
Oh Henry, how could you? Come on ‘ol chap read your bible: 1 John 2:3: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we ‘keep’ his commandments. 4 He that saith, ”I know him”, and keepeth ”not” his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.What does grace mean to you? Grace: Let’s look at some New Testament scriptures and see what we come up with that may address the rest of the article: Consider first: Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor 5:1-5; James 5:9; Galatians 1:9; Hebrews 10:26-31; Jude 4; Matthew 7:22-23 Those in Mat 7:22-23… Read more »
Aman!
We are saved by grace if we live under the law (Ten Commandments) we will be judged by the law, I’d much rather believe that if I broke a commandment like stealing food, that I go to the Father and ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. There is no way that one can live by the commandments for if we break one we break them all.
we are not under law, meaning we are not judged by the law. The law is now meant as a guidance so that we aren’t just running around sinning it up. We do not have a license to sin now. A true follower of God will not want to sin and will not practice a sinful lifestyle but rather now we practice doing the will of God. One cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again. obviously a true follower of Jesus is not going to be doing drugs, having sex out of marriage, stealing etc.… Read more »
What does grace mean to you? Let’s look at some New Testament scriptures and see what we come up with that may address the rest of the article:
Consider first: Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor 5:1-5; James 5:9; Galatians 1:9; Hebrews 10:26-31; Jude 4; Mathew 7:22-23
CAn you imagine if we didn’t have a law even the laws of the land God gave it to us, and everyone did there own thing there would be so much kaus in this land. Are everyone would be stealing in the stores are everyone with someone else’s husband or wive,etc, the commandments are real before and are real today. JESUS said it in the new testament why do you say you love me and you don’t keep my commandments, it was not moses who wrote the commandments it was God,it is by his grace and power of the Holy… Read more »
Yep sounds about right Captain .
Jer 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Well now we just need to not worry about being liars, adulterers, thieves, and murderers. Since we are not under those laws then we can do all these things and still go to heaven. We should start petitioning the Supreme Court to just do away a bunch of laws on the books just like they did by redefining marriage. It is incredible to me that every day there is someone who posts things that are so contradictory to the word and what many of us have been taught all of our lives. At this point it is no wonder so… Read more »
Appreciate you sharing Samantha. If you read the post, you would see that no one is saying to just go crazy and do whatever you want and how laws/rules don’t matter, but rather the point is, Christians are not under the law…but under grace because of what Jesus has done. It’s to hopefully encourage followers of Christ more in their actual relationship with Christ VS their performance. While it’s very important to live a holy life to glorify God including not doing against what the Bible says, it’s huge to not forget our actual relationship with Jesus and how we… Read more »
Christians not under the Law? Hmmmmmm? Did not Jesus say otherwise in Mat 5:17?
Hey Bobby,
Jesus fulfilled the law just like you referenced. Meaning, there are no longer sacrifices to be made for our sins, but that He was the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.
Of course Christians should obey Scripture, that was never in question. But are Christians “under the law” and abide by that in order to be saved? And that’s why Christians are not under the law, but under grace because of what Jesus has done.
Still not getting it Mike . .
Appreciate you sharing Bobby. I think our points have been made and that would wrap up this conversation..at least through blog comments.
We want to be able to have dialogue here on BTC and not just have someone post pictures, uploads, etc. all over everyone’s conversations and comments and begin to spam the site. While we appreciate your points, you can see the point we are making within the post and would kindly ask you to not spam the site going forward. Thanks so much in advance.
Yep sure no problems its been fun
Amen true followers will look for ways not sin, most people try to find every reason to have their Cake and eat it too. Which is what I once use to be like until I became radically born again
Horrible the bible says God is the same never changing so how can something He does contradict who or what He is. That’s making God human. The New Testament is like an addendum to the original contract it doesn’t make it null and void, it helps make the package more full and detailed. To say we no longer need to follow God’s law is as far as I’m concerned is telling people to be anarchist. Lawlessness brings foolishness, and if you look at the state of the church today I guess I’ve proven my point.
Thank you for sharing, I believe if you read the post you would see that it’s not being stated that the 10 commandments are useless or bad, but rather, that followers of Christ aren’t measured for their worth based on commandments, but measured on the worth of Christ who has done everything to begin with.
Many followers still fall “under the law” because they live in a way that proclaims they still need to “do good” vs everything already being done. That is the point of the post.
Appreciate you taking the time to read it! Thanks so much!
Great way to explain it Mike.
Thanks Todd!
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.-Titus 2:14 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work -Titus 3:1 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do… Read more »
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Wayeternal, please refer back to the Greek Strongs G458, for lawless deeds, this refers to NOT doing according to Jewish Law, or torah. This is where Christians get so mixed up and eisegesis the Word
Hardly Mike. Read your Bible. Read further on from verse 17, and the following alludes:
Whoever then shall break one of the least of these commandments and shall teach others the same, he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever shall keep and shall teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.
This includes ‘Christians’ and even those that shall say, Lord, Lord. Obviously they thought they ‘knew’ Him.
Hey Bobby,
Jesus fulfilled the law, meaning, there are no longer sacrifices to be made for our sins, but that He was the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.
Of course Christians should obey Scripture, that was never in question. But are Christians “under the law” and abide by that in order to be saved? And that’s why Christians are not under the law, but under grace because of what Jesus has done.
Hi Mike Thanks for your reply. In relation to Mat 5:17 please see below. G4137 πληρόω plēroō play-ro’-o From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram. In real terms Jesus (or Yeshua) was not diminishing something that was described as perfect, just, light, truth, the way through the prophets and psalmists in the OT or tanakh described it. As you are aware this theme continues in verse 18-19. Till Heaven and Earth pass one jot will not pass till all is fulfilled . . heaven and earth still here : ) . . and will be in place… Read more »
Thanks Bobby. I’m sure you can tell from this post and others that we don’t believe grace is a license to sin, in fact, should push us even more into obedience because of what Jesus has done. I’m sure there are things we can just agree to disagree on and that’s ok since Jesus is the point anyway at the end of the day. Thanks again for sharing.
Exactly – just read Mat 7:22-23
What you wrote seriously confuses me so much that I am thinking of turning away from God. How can we disobey the 10 commandments, but also be moved to not sin? One of the commandments teaches us not to lie. So I should lie and not care? Because I’m saved? That seems extremely lazy and self-righteous.
Hey Amanda, thanks for your comment. The intention behind the post is this – Christians are not “held” under the 10 Commandments – as is – their salvation is not “based” on their performance on keeping the commandments, but is only based on what Jesus has done for them on the Cross. Jesus is the only way to salvation, not commandments. However, for followers of Christ, we strive to keep the commandments out of joy and obedience for what Jesus has already done. So of course, we don’t want to lie or do anything like that, but if we do… Read more »
Mike, the bible NEVER taught that Christians are not to obey the 10 commandments. I hope you would agree with that. On the other hand, His commandments are not grievous according to 1 John 5:3 if we love God. It’s only when we don’t love Him that we come up with all sorts of excuses not to obey. The most important commandment, according to Jesus, is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. God and the Word of God never change.
Thanks for sharing Eric. If you read the post, you’ll see I never said that Christians shouldn’t obey the Bible..I’m saying that Christians shouldn’t measure themselves up in regards to salvation with the commandments. It’s not about commandments, but about a relationship with Jesus Christ, which love for Him will have us following what He says in the Bible. Hope that clears things up, thanks for sharing.
No you never say shouldn’t but you said couldn’t – which implies God gave commandments that could not be kept. That is very contradictive to what He said in Deuteronomy 6:1-18 especially 6:5 and 30:11-14.
Thanks Eric. Christians “can’t” keep all 10 commandments perfectly, that is the whole point of Jesus in the first place. Here’s the rest of my response, copied from other comment areas on this same post so we are just synced up. Eric, we are saying the same thing in a lot of ways. I think the typed out word here is being misconstrued. At the end of the day, the point of the post is that Christians’ salvation is not based on them keeping the 10 commandments because they are not held under a law, but the point of salvation… Read more »
amanda im sure you can agree the 10 commandments were given to moses a jew (the old covanent) jesus was also a jew and lived under the law. when jesus died the new covanant was established (grace). but since the jews dont believe jesus was the son of god and only a profit they stayed under the 10 comandments the christians who did believe jesus was the son of God were given (grace) the commandments are for Jews (the old way) and Christians the new way. Please read Romans and all will be revealed.
Thanks so much for sharing Kalli!
The 10 commandments were spoken by the Word of God a.k.a. Jesus Christ. The Word of God came not to deny what He said. On the other hand, did Paul not say in Romans that by faith we uphold rather than nullify the law? Within the context of Romans, under the law means one is subjected to the punishment of the law and under grace means one is no longer subjected to the punishment of the law.
Thanks again Eric for sharing…no one is denying to follow Jesus and obey the Word of God. What people are saying is that salvation is not based on these commandments, but based on a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When one claims to have a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ, the Word of God who gave the 10 commandments, would he not try best to obey? Are the 10 commandments too grievous to obey? Did He give commandments that are not possible to keep?
Thanks Eric, I’m going to post the same thing here as I am in the other comments so this is all synced up: Eric, we are saying the same thing in a lot of ways. I think the typed out word here is being misconstrued. At the end of the day, the point of the post is that Christians’ salvation is not based on them keeping the 10 commandments because they are not held under a law, but the point of salvation is a relationship with Jesus and what Jesus did. Do Christians strive to follow Christ and obey Him… Read more »
Amanda we all disobey the Commandments. You and I are not perfect. That is why Jesus came to earth to live the perfect life for us. He redeemed us! Isn’t that great news. It’s also called the Gospel.
Todd if you read Romans you should have known that, as Christ followers, we should sin no more because we are under grace. And sin is transgression of the law according to 1 John 3:4. You said elsewhere no one is perfect in keeping the law. Exactly. The reason we need Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for sin. You throw away the law, you might as well through away Christ, for Christ is the Word of God who spoke in Exodus 20, who gave the 10 commandments to the Israelites and those who were not there (that’s right, Christians) to obey.
Eric, Todd’s point as well as this blog post’s point is…that followers of Christ are not “held” under the law, but under grace. We don’t strive to perfectly obey the law, only Jesus can do that..we strive to follow Jesus. Do we still obey the Bible treat it as God’s Word? Of course we do. But many Christians feel like if they broke a 10 commandment or can’t keep them all perfectly, they will go to hell and they miss the point of the Gospel and Jesus entirely. Thanks for sharing.
But Paul said in Romans “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” and sin is the transgression of the law per John. So are we not to strive not to sin? Is Jesus the first born and believers are the brothers? Is He not fully human and at the same time fully God? Did He use some exclusive power to enable Him to fully obey the law or did He lean on the same Holy Spirit? Was He not an example for believers to follow? Do you not believe… Read more »
Eric, we are saying the same thing in a lot of ways. I think the typed out word here is being misconstrued.
At the end of the day, the point of the post is that Christians’ salvation is not based on them keeping the 10 commandments because they are not held under a law, but the point of salvation is a relationship with Jesus and what Jesus did.
Do Christians strive to follow Christ and obey Him and His Word? Of course. You can see that through the hundreds of other posts on here as well.
Thanks again for sharing.
Its not just the problem that they think they will go to hell, they have a karmaic system that God will not bless them or God is angry with them unless they strive to keep the comandments. This makes our Father seem unapproachable in our moment of weakness. How many times have we thought God didnt answer our prayer because of something we did. A great example is when we use authority to heal someone but they dont get healed or when we ask God for something we dont expect God to do it because we havent been on our… Read more »
Thanks for sharing Henry and I couldn’t agree more in terms that our salvation is based on Jesus and Jesus alone, not based off of our works.
Do you think someone practicing homosexuality could be saved even if they see nothing wrong with it and claim to have Jesus at the same time?
Hey Kimber, I think anyone can be saved because of what Jesus has done…salvation is available for all people. If someone says they follow Jesus, that would imply that they also follow the word of God. If not, there’s lots of questions there and could question their salvation as well, but I’d say the best thing I could say in the form of a blog post comment..is that those are really case by case. Obviously if someone says they are a follower of Jesus, but they support things that the Bible is clearly against, then it would be fair to… Read more »
Surprisingly the Christ said: Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
We can break every commandment and still be forgiven. But it we continually practice breaking the 10 commandments over and over again without any conviction that’s probably a sign that someone has not been born again yet. For example, If I was truly a follower of Jesus, I would feel terrible if I had sex out of marriage because the Holy Spirit would convict me. Of course I am still saved because I am no longer under the law, but If I were to continue doing that for the rest of my life without feeling any sort of remorse. I… Read more »
Good point Kimber, I agree. If someone is unrepentant in their sin like you are suggesting, it is fair to question the situation because that doesn’t seem to line up with what scripture says for followers of Jesus.
I thank God for Jesus.i am a nurse and i work on saturdays saving lives.im glad Jesus died for me.i am free.i am no longer under the law.praise Jesus.i strive to live a holy life tnx to my relationship with Christ.
That borders on Calvinism . . but can a believer in Messiah lose the salvation offered him . . Yes, he can! Solution – don’t sin – obey His Words!
Can your name be removed from the Book of Life – yes it can!
‘m sure there are things we can just agree to disagree on and that’s ok since Jesus is the point anyway at the end of the day. Thanks again for sharing Bobby.
efan, we are under the spirit of the law.
Jesus was definitely enough! Does that mean I’m free to go murder someone? I don’t think so. We are saved by grace, not by works, but if we love the Lord we will want to try to obey Him. I’ve read much pro and con regarding obeying the Ten Commandments, and even about basically changing the Ten Commandments to Nine Commandments (omitting keeping the Sabbath holy). Obviously, we aren’t supposed to murder, have other gods, steal, etc., so I just can’t quite make the leap that we aren’t still supposed to obey the Ten Commandments. Even the two great commandments… Read more »
Thanks Efan for the comment. I’m in no way saying to throw out the 10 commandments, but that we as followers of Christ are no longer “under” the ten commandments because everything now is about Jesus and what He has done for us! Thanks so much for the comment!
Mike with due respect,i don’t think you have gone through Rylen’s comment,i am saying this beacause he explained into the finest deatail what the bible teaches. Paul did not say we should not keep the 10 commandments,but he was simply explaining that they cannot justify us. What they can do is to condemn us and only Jesus through His death can redeem us. Then he asked if we can transgress them,and he answered strongly saying “God forbid”. His was that through faith in Jesus,we can kill the old person in us,the one who use to transgress the law of God… Read more »
Thanks Ben for sharing. I think if you read through the context of the blog post itself, you’ll see what I mean by what I am saying by the title of this post and that the commandments do not justify the believer. Jesus does. Thanks again for sharing.
Does Christ Justify us or the Law Justify Us? In Romans 7 Paul is talking about being released from the law and being bound to Christ. Read the entire chapter 7 of Romans and let’s discuss. Make it a great day efan!
i think the simplest way of understanding this issue is
that the law has been replaced by a new great commandment
which can be found in 1 john 3:23
Thanks for commenting Steve!
Hi Mike, I know this article is an old one, but I wanted to chime in after reading your comments. It sounds like you are trying to something along these lines (paragraph 6 would address directly the 10 commandments for believers, however the system of thought is developed in all the chapters): I. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which He bound him and all his posterity, to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience, promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability… Read more »
Thanks for commenting Barry. I am not sure what you were asking here about the article or if you were just wanting to share information. My thoughts are that obedience to the Lord which would include not sinning or going against what He has laid out of us…is always a top priority as we are followers of Christ. However, our obedience is not what brings us into a right relationship with Him. That being said, we are not under the Law, but under Grace because of the finished work of what Jesus has done for all of us. If we… Read more »
Hi Mike, Thank you for the response brother. The only reason I posted it was to see if you found it helpful from a systematic standpoint. It seems it is able to take some of the propositional truths you have stated and “make sense” of them as a whole. An example of this would be how you rightly say we are not under Law any longer, but under grace. Later on you go to say that we should not sin as Christians which is, again, rightly stated. If we shouldn’t sin we are conforming ourselves to a “Law” at that… Read more »
Thanks Barry for the response. I think the biggest takeaway for you that I can provide from your comments is that when I say it can’t be the top priority or the only point…I mean exactly that. As in, the law is not the top priority…the Cross and what Jesus did for us I believe is the top priority..basically the Gospel. I think that is the main point. After that, because of what Jesus has done for us, we should be obedient to everything God calls us to do including not sinning and following His commands. All too often there… Read more »
Mike what you must understand is that Barry has a different worldview then you and I. By what Barry is saying it seems to me that he gets his worldview or his understanding from the book “the great controversy” written by Ellen G. White.
Thanks for sharing Todd!
I disagree with the premise that the ten commandments are part of the law of which Paul speaks. Consider the drastically different means by which they were communicated, for starters (direct revelation vs. prophesy). Also consider the different language used to describe them, “commandment” (from the Hebrew for “sayings” or “words”) vs “law” (from the Hebrew for “teachings”). While I do believe that Christ came to pay the price for our sins–which includes breaking both the commandments and the law–and to fulfill the law, I do not believe that he came to give us a free pass on the commandments,… Read more »
Thanks Bill for commenting! I definitely agree with you….we don’t have a free pass and we can’t just sin letting Grace abound just like the Word says. We definitely strive to live a holy live being obedient to what God has called us to including obeying commandments.
They are a great reminder to the fact that we will never be able to obey them perfectly, which is the whole point of Christ fulfilling the law for us.
Here’s a great article by a childhood friend. This guy’s a superb thinker. Have a read:
“Should Christians Keep Old Testament Law?”
http://concertf.blogspot.com/2013/07/should-christians-keep-old-testament-law.html
Thanks Bill.
It’s all about #4 isn’t it Bill.
Actually, I have to disagree with the way we’re interpreting much of what Paul wrote. It is my assertion that all believers are under the Torah as they grow in knowledge as it pertains to a blueprint for morality and closeness with the Lord. This includes the 10 Commandments. While grace has saved us from the penalty of breaking the Law (and it is grace alone that saves us, for only through the grace of Christ as the Sin Sacrifice can we be washed from the debt of breaking the Torah). The Blessings that come from the Torah are still… Read more »
Thanks for the comment Ajay, appreciate it. I think it’s great we can agree to disagree on items in Scripture and be ok with it. It seems to me from what Jesus has done for us, that as followers of Christ…we are not under the Law…as in it’s not motivation to strive to live like Christ. Rather, it’s the motivation from what He has done that will lead us to live holy lives and be obedient to what God has called us to do (which includes not going against commandments he has set forth in Scripture). I think the biggest… Read more »
Well said, I agree we ought to avoid bending towards rules as a checklist of holiness. While I am “law observant” I do so because I delight in God, I love to enjoy what I see as a blueprint of behavior that came from my Lord for the people called by His name. Thus, I would never expect anyone else to do these things unless they came in that same direction. I believe with all of my heart that any approach which isn’t an enjoyment and delight in the commandments of God because of what our Savior has done in… Read more »
Thanks Ajay!
Romans 7:4-6 (NKJV) – 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and… Read more »
To obey and to uphold what God says, or to be exact what the Word of God says, is not an attempt to be justified by law. So quoting Galatians, which primarily dealt with the need for circumcision, seems irrelevant.
The law condemns man and Jesus Christ brings eternal life. The point of the law is Christ, that is all the law was for was to show our need of a savior. It is not for us to live by, the law was given through moses but grace came by Jesus Christ.
The law was given through Moses by none other than the Word of God who came in the flesh to take away the sin of the world. That’s the meaning of “grace came by Jesus Christ” which quite often misinterpreted as grace replacing the law.
Eric, Henry is saying the same thing as the post..that the law is not how we obtain salvation, but it’s through grace because of what Jesus has done for us. Thanks for sharing.
Henry is NOT saying the same thing. He said “it is not for us to live by” and the “it” he refers to the law. No kingdom flourishes without “law”, the kingdom of God included. What Christ did was, He became the atoning sacrifice for our sins. And we know that sin is the transgression of the law. He came not to take away the law but to take away the sins.
Eric, I believe when Henry means “it is not for us to live by” is that he is saying our performance of the law doesn’t determine our salvation, but a relationship with Jesus does.
I hope Henry could personally verify that.