biblical law | The Christian Advocate

The Ten Commandments (Part 1): No Other Gods

Introduction

In the previous presentation titled “Law or Grace: Are Christians Still Under the Law Today,” I laid the foundation of this series on the Law. In it, I made clear, through the Scriptures, that we are under both the Law and grace. Now that it is clear that the Law applies to us, the balance of this series will be an exposition of each of the Ten Commandments, which are the base of the Law, and how they apply to our lives today as Christians. This article, The Ten Commandments (Part 1): No Other Gods, is the first of ten articles addressing each of these Laws.

What are the Ten Commandments?

With the foundation of the Law in place, the next question becomes simple and necessary. What are the Ten Commandments? The Ten Commandments are ten Laws handed to Moses from God on Mt. Sinai, also known as Mt. Horeb. God presented them on tablets of stone. As mentioned earlier, these Laws are the basis of the Mosaic Law. All of the Commandments contained in the Old Testament Law (613) derive from these Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments Listed

They are as follows:

^1.You shall have no other gods before me

^2.You shall not make for yourself a carved image

^3.You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain

^4.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

^5.Honor your father and your mother

^6.You shall not murder

^7.You shall not commit adultery

^8.You shall not steal

^9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

^10.You shall not covet

The Structure and Purpose of the Law

When we look at these ten laws together, it becomes clear why they stand at the heart of all moral law. Because if the world obeyed these Laws, what a different world would we live in!

The initial four commandments focus on how we connect with God, while the remaining six address how we interact with other people—a complete package. We can’t go wrong if we follow God’s Laws!

Therefore, these commandments are not random or disconnected; they are carefully ordered to address every relationship in life.

The First Commandment

In this article, we will begin by discussing the first Commandment. To understand the weight of the first commandment, we must hear it directly from God Himself.

The First Commandment in Scripture

So, let’s look at this Commandment in Scripture, Exodus 20:1-3 NKJV:

^1. And God spoke all these words, saying:

^2.“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

^3.“You shall have no other gods before Me.

Before we look at the command itself, notice how God introduces it by looking closely at verse 2, which quotes God as saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

One thing is clear: our God is not shy! Here He is making his position crystal clear. It is He who freed the Israelites from bondage. It is He that bought the Israelites out of Egypt, it is He that provided for them in the wilderness into the Promised Land, and as a result He is to receive the honor and the glory—nobody else!

Therefore, in verse 3, He said, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

What the First Commandment Declares About God

This first commandment addresses what is forbidden and how it can be violated. It focuses on the nature of God, declaring that only He is the Supreme Being and the ultimate authority in the universe. No other being or god shares His role as Creator, ruler, or sovereign over all existence. God alone is the living and true Lord and Creator.

This commandment is not vague or symbolic; it establishes clear and uncompromising boundaries regarding who God is.

Three Uncompromising Truths of the First Commandment

This commandment establishes three clear and uncompromising truths.

Firstly, individuals should refrain from regarding themselves as deities. It is important to recognize that neither humans nor any other entity or force within the universe constitutes the ultimate origin of existence.

Secondly, people should not consider animals, other creatures, or material objects to be God. Individuals are also advised not to look to the sky, the earth, or the sea and claim that anything found there is divine.

Thirdly, Man is not to believe in many gods (polytheism). There is only one living and true God, only one true Architect, only one Lord and Majesty of the universe (monotheism). Therefore, man is to have no other gods of any kind. All other so-called gods are nothing more than things created by the imaginations and thoughts of individuals.

Modern Forms of Idolatry

Moreover, if we allow something else to take priority in our hearts and minds—if it demands the love and devotion meant only for the true God—it essentially becomes a different god to us. Anything that our heart holds onto above all else transforms into our god.

When the true God is displaced from the heart, something else inevitably takes His place.

Common Modern Examples of False Gods

Consequently, let’s consider some common modern examples:

• The proud person worships themselves.

• The ambitious seek approval as their highest aim.

• The covetous make wealth their priority.

• The greedy hold possessions above all else.

• The immoral elevate desire for sex.

• The glutton values food most.

• The doting lover puts another person before everything else.

Anything we value, love, fear, or serve more than God can become our “god.” Essentially, whatever our hearts cling to fills that role—even ourselves. In fact, many people are primarily devoted to pleasing themselves, prioritizing their own values, feelings, comfort, desires, and pleasures. They act according to their own wishes and follow their personal path, effectively putting themselves in the place of God. Others might turn different things into their gods, from heavenly bodies to recreation.

A god can be anything or any person. However, our first allegiance, first loyalty, first devotion is to be to the Lord God. The Lord God is to be first in an individual’s life; He is to be enthroned in the heart of mankind. An individual is to know and acknowledge that there is one God and one God alone.

Bottom line: The first commandment of the Lord is to be obeyed.

False Worldviews That Reject God

Now let’s look at this in today’s world. Again, verse 3 quotes God as saying, “You shall have no other gods before Me. On the contrary, we have all kinds of doctrines of the world advancing principles contrary to God.

This commandment is not confined to ancient Israel; it directly confronts the belief systems shaping our world today.

For example:

We are not to deny God, declaring there is no God (atheism).

⇒ We are not to question God, saying God may exist but He also may not exist (agnosticism).

⇒ We are not to declare that man himself is the supreme being, the ultimate authority of his world (humanism).

⇒ We are not to look to science and technology as the ultimate power in life (secularism)

Here are a few of the doctrines in the world today that refute God.

The Consequences of Obeying and Disobeying

Scripture does not leave this commandment in the realm of theory—it reveals real consequences tied to how we respond to it.

Now, let’s look at the Biblical consequences of obeying and disobeying this first Commandment.

The Consequences of Disobeying

God is grieved when we don’t follow Him and sin.

We often think first about how sin affects us, but Scripture shows that rejecting God first affects God Himself.

Consequences Upon God

Foremost, we must realize that there are consequences upon God himself when we disobey. Especially this Commandment. There is a reason why it is the first Commandment.

The first consequence is: the individual who chooses not to follow God pierces the very heart of God, causing pain and hurt for Him.

Let’s look at some examples, 1 Samuel 8:7-8: NKJV

^7. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

⁸According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.

The pain in God’s heart can be seen here. This is when Israel demanded to be ruled by a king rather than by God. They desired man over God? What a foolish choice!

Let’s look at another example, Psalm 81:11 NKJV

^11.“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.

Again, you can see God’s pain and disappointment.

Moving to the next example of how rejecting God pierces His heart. Despite the rejection of His people (including us today), He patiently waits.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

^9.The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

We’ve seen how not accepting God affects Him, but in this verse we see that He is still patiently waiting, hoping that all will come to repentance.

The next consequence is—the individual who does not follow God causes the name of God to be blasphemed.

Before we go further, in the Bible, blasphemy refers to speaking or writing with disrespect, mockery, or insolence to God, His name, His works, or the Holy Spirit. This serious sin involves slandering God’s character or sacred things. In the Old Testament, blasphemy was punishable by death; in the New Testament, it also includes denying Christ or wrongly claiming the Holy Spirit’s work is of Satan.

Let’s look at Romans 2:23-24 NKJV

^23.You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

^24.For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

This is a strong admonition of hypocrisy. Professing Law keepers were, in actuality, breaking the Law. This caused God’s name to be blasphemed.

The next consequence that is upon God is – the person who does not follow God lives a life that is detestable to God.

Titus 1:16 NKJV

^16.They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Here we have more hypocrisy. Though they profess God, they live a life that, as the Scripture reads, is “disqualified for every good work.” A life that is despicable to God, as well as abominable, morally disgusting, and utterly loathsome to God, provoking His intense displeasure and judgment. Think He’s happy about this?

So, we see that when we choose not to follow God, He suffers.

These are the consequences for God.

Rejecting God not only wounds His heart—it also devastates the life of the individual who turns away.

Consequences Upon the Individual

Next, we look at the consequences on oneself, an individual’s day-to-day life.

First, the individual who does not follow God follows after dumb, lifeless idols, man-made gods that can never help them.

Jeremiah 16:20 NKJV

^20. Will a man make gods for himself, Which are not gods?

Idolatry was the major reason for Israel’s judgment. In this verse, Jeremiah addresses idolatry as being utterly dumb and useless — lifeless objects incapable of saving, speaking, or acting..

Now think about it. How can we make an object ourselves and worship it, and expect to be blessed by it? It makes no sense! It’s dumb!

1 Corinthians 12:2 NKJV

^2.You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.

Here, Paul reminded the Corinthians Christians that in the past they followed “dumb idols.”

The next consequence is – The person who does not follow God lives a life of hopelessness.

Ephesians 2:11-12 NKJV

^11.Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—

^12.that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Here again, Paul is addressing the previous state without God. This time to the Ephesians, that they were aliens and strangers from the covenant and had no hope without God.

Lastly, the person who does not follow God lives a life that is enslaved to sin.

Galatians 4:8-9 NKJV

^8.But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

^9.But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

Here, Paul rebukes the Galatians for leaving the false gods and knowing the true God, only to return to the bondage of following the false gods again. When we don’t follow God—don’t obey God—or keep His Commandments, we are in bondage to sin.

If rejection of God remains unrepentant, Scripture shows that it ultimately leads to judgment.

The Consequence of Judgment

Next, we look at the consequence of Judgment.

The person who does not follow God will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV

⁹Do 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.

Now this passage covers a gamut of unrighteous behaviors; all of which are against God’s Laws. The point is, you cannot be a follower of God and engage in sinful behaviors—live lives of iniquity. Those who do are under the influence of Satan. Sin is ubiquitous in the world, and as a result, the world will be judged. As Jesus said in John 16:11 regarding the functions of the Holy Spirit, He says, “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” This ruler is none other than Satan.

Next, the individual who does not follow God displeases God and arouses His anger and wrath.

In order to please God, the Father, and receive eternal life, we must believe in His Son. Let’s look at John 3:36 NKJV

^36.He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Let’s look at what Jesus said in John 14:6, NKJV

^6. ““I am the way…, the truth…, and the life… No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Now, it doesn’t get any clearer than this—but let’s go further:

John 8:24 NKJV

^24.Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Jesus was addressing the Pharisees firmly because they didn’t believe He was who He said He was (He had previously said He was the light of the world). So because of their unbelief, they were sinners, and He declared that they would die in their sins.

Today, individuals will die in their sins if they reject Jesus, because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin. Regrettably, many are so preoccupied with the values of this world that they are blind to the priceless gift that only Christ offers.

Next, 2 Thessalonians 2:12 [NKJV]

Paul was recounting the events preceding the second coming of the Lord. And he said in verse 12:

^12.that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Those who don’t believe the truth of God and Jesus and instead choose unrighteousness will be condemned and judged.

Next, the person who does not follow God shall face the fierce judgment of God and perish.

2 Peter 3:7 NKJV

^7.But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

The first seven verses of this chapter 3 address mockery in the last days, and speak to judgment on the ungodly that was implemented in the past by the Word of God. And in verse 7, the Scripture makes clear that the same Word is preserving the world for the day of judgment on the ungodly; those who do not follow God.

Let’s look at John 12:48 NKJV

^48.But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

The initial mission of Jesus on earth was to guide individuals toward salvation and eternal life, rather than to pass judgment. However, upon his return, a principal objective will be to evaluate individuals based on their actions during their lives on earth. According to Christ’s teachings, those words that are not accepted and followed will serve as grounds for condemnation.

Bottom line – those who reject Jesus and live any way they please will face eternal punishment (cf. Revelation 20:11–15).

So, we have seen, in Scripture, the terrible consequences of not following the true God and following other gods.

The Consequences of Obeying

But God does not leave humanity under condemnation alone—He provides a way of redemption and blessing through Jesus Christ.

Next, we look at the blessed consequences—the benefits of keeping this Commandment of not following false gods.

Keeping this commandment brings blessings from the Lord, the only living and true God, to those who believe in and follow Him.

Now, originally this applied to the Jews, and everybody else was cursed by the Law, but with the advent of Jesus, His death and resurrection opened the way for all. Let’s look at this in Galatians 3:13-14, 28-29: NKJV

^13.Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

^14.that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

With the Advent of Christ, this curse was lifted and opened to all who accept Christ Jesus, the covenant God made with Abraham.

Let’s look at the result.

^28.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

^29.And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

PRASE God!

So, for us today, following God through His Son Jesus Christ opens the door to the wonderful benefits of His grace.

Let’s look at some Scripture illuminating these benefits.

To begin, an individual who sincerely holds faith in God will attain salvation, eternal life, and not face condemnation through God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at the promise by Jesus in John 3:16-18 NKJV

^16.For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

^17.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

^18.“He who believes in Him is not condemned;

Here we have the promise by the Lord Himself. He came to save the world that the world through Him might be saved; saved from eternal death to eternal life.

Let’s look at some benefits while we are here on earth today.

An individual who maintains faith in God is likely to experience a sense of peace, serenity, and confidence throughout life, as they place their trust in God and remain mindful of Him.

Let’s look at Isaiah 26:3 KJV

^3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

This verse is part of Israel’s kingdom song, singing to the Lord, and stating that those who keep their mind on Him, and trust Him, will be in perfect peace.

New Testament—Romans 5:1-4 NKJV

^1.Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

^2.through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

^4.and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

This just get’s better and better. Even during our time in tribulations, we have peace because we recognize that they work for good. [Romans 8:28]

Continuing on trials and tribulations, let’s look at Psalm 34 19: NKJV

^19.Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

If we follow and trust God, He will be our source, and He will deliver us from our afflictions and trials.

This brings us to another advantage: those who have faith in God receive ongoing strength from Him each day, even sharing in God’s own enduring power.

Isaiah 26:4 NKJV

^4.Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord (Yahweh), is everlasting strength.

As we trust in the Lord, the true God, we have the assurance of His everlasting strength.

Finally, individuals who maintain faith in God, trust that they will be guided, supported and directed by God’s divine care.

Psalm 37:5 NKJV

^5. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

^5.Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

^6.In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

So, the first Commandment is “thou shalt have no other gods before me. If we follow Him—obey His Commandments, we will be blessed!

The Heart of the First Commandment

At its core, the first commandment is not merely about restriction—it is about love.

As Jesus answered the lawyer regarding the greatest commandment in Mark 12:37, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and great commandment.

The first commandment is foundational because all other commandments flow from it.

Loving God is the greatest thing we can do!

Amen!

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Next, we’ll look at the second Commandment:

You shall not make for yourself a carved image

Blessings!

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Law Or Grace? Are Christians Still Under The Law?

Law or Grace? Are Christians Still Under the Law? Are Christians under the Law, or are we under Grace? This question has generated debate and confusion within the church for generations. Some conclude that the Law no longer matters at all. Others attempt to return believers to the Law as a means of righteousness. Scripture, however, presents a balanced and unified answer when we allow it to speak for itself.

This article follows the biblical flow of the accompanying video teaching and explains how God’s Law and God’s Grace work together in the life of a believer—without legalism and without license.

What is the Law?

When Scripture speaks of “the Law,” it primarily refers to the Law given by God to Israel through Moses, often called the Mosaic Law or the Torah. This Law is recorded in the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), and includes moral commandments, ceremonial instructions, and civil regulations.

The Law was not merely a list of rules. It revealed God’s holiness, defined righteousness, and showed humanity what obedience to God looks like. It governed Israel’s worship, community life, and moral conduct, and it distinguished God’s people from the surrounding nations.

Most importantly, the Law revealed God’s standard—perfect righteousness.

What is Grace?

Now that we have defined the Law, what is grace?

In the Scriptures, the word “grace” comes from the Greek term charis in the New Testament and the Old Testament Hebrew ḥēn. It refers to God’s unearned favor, love, and kindness freely given to people who do not deserve it. Grace enables forgiveness, salvation, and blessings through Jesus Christ—not because of human efforts or merit. This concept highlights God’s generous and benevolent power offered to sinners, making transformation and a relationship with Him possible, as illustrated in Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV.

^8.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

⁹not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Law or Grace — Grace is the gift of God’s love

Grace is the very core of the Gospel, showing God’s great love by offering freely what individuals cannot achieve on their own, which enables reconciliation and the promise of eternal life.

So, we have the definitions of Law and Grace. So, the question: Are we under the Law, or are we under Grace? With the arrival, death, and resurrection of Jesus, are we no longer subject to the Law? Was the Law done away with in the New Testament?

The Purpose of the Law?

So let’s take a good look at this. What was the purpose of the law? The purpose of the Law was to set a standard of conduct. This involves worship to God as well as everyday life. It separated Israel from the other nations as God’s special nation.

So, is the Law for Israel only? Is the Law only part of the Old Testament? Hardly! Let’s take the Ten Commandments, the very base and foundation of the Law. There is not one Scripture in the New Testament that refutes any of the Ten Commandments—not one.

In fact, the opposite applies. Let’s look at some Scripture.

1 Timothy 1:8-10 NKJV

^8.But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,

The New Testament Scripture says: “the law is good.” What makes the Law good? God’s Law gives direction for living a holy life. But it is to be used “lawfully” for its intended purpose, not to hold those who are righteous in bondage, but for those who have not recognized and repented of their sins.

Let’s continue:

^9.knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

^10.for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

It is clear that the law is for the unrighteous—which we all were at one time.

Next, Romans 5:12-13 NKJV [cf. Rom 4:15]

^12.Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

^13.(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Romans 4:15:

^15.because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

The purpose of the Law is to make us aware of sin. Without the Law, there’s no transgression—no sin. For us today, the purpose of the Law is to make us aware of sin, and lead us to Christ. It reveals God’s holiness and our sin.

Galatians 3:22-24 NKJV

^22.But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

^23.But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

^24.Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The law is described as our tutor, teaching us the need for salvation because of our sins, thereby leading us to Christ.

To summarize, the purpose of the Law is to make us aware of sin and lead us to Christ.

What is sin?

The New Testament provides a clear definition:

1 John 3:4 KJV

^4.Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

To transgress is to disobey. Now, note that we are looking at New Testament Scriptures, and the Scripture says, “Whoever commits sin transgresses the Law.” Now, what law is the Scripture referring to? The only Law in the Scriptures is God’s law.

Bottom line: to break God’s Law is sin! Period—Full stop!

Why We Need Grace

Grace has already been defined as unearned favor, love, and kindness freely given to those who do not deserve it.

But what is the purpose of grace? Why do we need it? All we have to do is obey the Law, right? Well, let’s see what Scripture says about this.

Romans 3:19-20 NKJV

^19.Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

^20.Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The Law convicts the whole world of being guilty of sin because no one can keep the Law perfectly. Therefore, as the Scripture reads, “no flesh”—no one will be justified by the Law.

The fact of the matter is, the Law condemns and convicts; it does not give the power to obey; only the Holy Spirit gives us that power.

Therefore, we are all condemned by the Law, and we need a savior—we need grace—we don’t deserve it because we’ve broken the Law—we’ve sinned. But as the Scripture says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is by faith in Jesus Christ, given to us by the grace of God, that we are saved.

In a sense, Jesus is our get out of jail free card! Amen! He paid a debt that we could never pay.

So what is the purpose of grace? To save us from our sins!

Did Jesus Abolish the Law?

Back to the law. There are those who say, and it has also been written, that we are no longer under the law of Moses, but the law of Christ.

Now this is where confusion often enters—when people hear the phrase “the Law of Christ.” That phrase is interesting because Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law of Moses. Let’s look at what He said in Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV

^17.“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

^18.For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

^19.Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

It appears that Jesus was serious about the Law of Moses. Jesus said, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT – don’t even think about destroying the Law! He also made the point clear that anyone breaking one of even the least of the Commandments would be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses by fully obeying its commands, living without sin, and offering the ultimate sacrifice (shedding His blood), therefore completing its requirements and revealing its spiritual purpose centered on love for God and neighbor. Rather than abolishing the law, he brought it to fulfillment, setting believers free from condemnation of the Law and continual sacrifices.

Bottom line, Jesus completed the Law of Moses—He did not replace it.

Reference to The Law of Christ may be based on the Scripture in Galatians 6:2, which reads:

^2.Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Bearing one another’s burdens is a manifestation of love. But is that a new law? Absolutely not! Let’s look at some Scripture. Matthew 22:34-40

^34.But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

^35.Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ^36.“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

^37.Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

^38.This is the first and great commandment.

^39.And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

^40.On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, said the greatest Commandment was love; love for God, and love for our neighbor. Jesus didn’t mention a new law or a law of Christ. He directed the lawyer to the Commandments—the Law.

Let’s look further at what Jesus said in John 13:34

^34. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

^35.By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

While loving others was already taught in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18), Jesus introduced a new standard: we are now to love others as he loved us— with sacrificial love. A new standard, not a new law.

Let’s look at another New Testament Scripture, Romans 13:8-10

^8.Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has FULFILLED THE LAW.

^9.For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

^10.Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.

Now look at this! The Commandments in the New Testament! The point is made very clear that love fulfills the Law. Love, the very act that Jesus promoted—fulfills the Law!

Bottom line, you can’t separate the Old Testament from the New Testament. A dog has a better chance of chasing and catching its own tail than of us separating the Testaments.

It’s not possible! In fact, the New Testament confirms the Old Testament!

The law teaches us the need for salvation; God’s grace gives us that salvation. The Old Testament still applies today. In it, God reveals his nature, his will for humanity, his moral laws, and his guidelines for living. But we cannot be saved by keeping that law only; we must trust in Jesus.

We just need to choose Him by faith.

Another passage used to dismiss the Law is Colossians 2:13-15.

^13.And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

^14.having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

^15.Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

This passage explains the nature of Christ’s forgiveness. By forgiving our sins (vs.13), Christ removed our record of wrongdoing. This document served as a written account of our violations of the law. Humanity could not repay the debt of sin, so God erased it.

Christ eliminated the record of our wrongdoings by taking it to the cross, where He in essence (figuratively illustrated), nailed it and wiped out our debts with His blood. Because of His sacrifice, nothing can stand in our way or keep us from freedom. No human rules or religious rituals—whether from Judaism or false teachings—can replace or add to what Christ has accomplished for us. The death of Jesus fully settled believers’ obligations to God.

However, Christ’s death did not cancel the Law. As I mentioned earlier, it fulfilled the Law. Nailing it to the cross meant that the death of Jesus on the cross cancelled our debt of sin.

Now, let’s dig a little deeper into this fulfillment in New Testament Scripture found in Hebrews 9:22. It reads:

^22.And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Now, the Scripture says, “according to the Law.” Now, what law is it referring to?

It goes right back to the Old Testament in Leviticus 17:11which reads:

^11.For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

It is the shed blood of Jesus on Calvary that made atonement for our souls.

Again, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. He did not condemn the Law.

The key point is that we are not free from the Law; we must still obey it. But we are free from the curse of the law. We are born cursed under the law, which is why we, as Jesus stated, “must be born again.”

Now let’s look at a passage of Scripture that addresses this clearly. Galatians 3:10-14.

^10.For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

^11.But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

^12.Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

^13.Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

^14.that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

This passage confirms it! We are free from the CURSE of the Law, we are NOT free from the LAW. The curse is—When we break the Law, we’re doomed. That’s where Christ comes in.

The bottom line: we need the Law, we still need to know right from wrong, we need to know when we have sinned so we can repent. Remember what we saw back in Romans 19:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

We need the Law, and we need to obey the Law.

Legalism vs. Obedience

Now, some say that obeying the Law is legalism. Well, actually it is, without Christ.

Let’s understand what legalism is; legalism is seeking salvation by strictly obeying the Law—being saved on our own—no Christ. But when we accept Christ by faith and are born again, we don’t obey the Law to be saved; we obey the Law because we are saved.

Listen, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my Commandments.” We follow the Law of God out of our love for Him. Remember the greatest Commandment. “Love the Lord thy God…” We love God by keeping His Commandments.

We are to keep the Commandments of God—we are to obey the law.

Listen, this business of being free from the Law is simply NONSENSE!

This is yet another manifestation of Spiritual Warfare on mankind. It is an insidious assault by Satan to discount God’s Law, putting in the minds of unwitting professing Christians that they can sin and still be saved because they are free from the Law.

GRACE IS NOT PERMISSION TO SIN

Listen, grace does indeed give us freedom, but this freedom does NOT give us permission to sin! We are now warned about this in the Scriptures. First, Romans 5:20–6:2 ^NKJV

^20.Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

^21.so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

^6:1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

^2. Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

This is not rocket science; it is common sense. If we are free from sin, how can we live in sin? It doesn’t make sense, and the Scripture proves it.

Now, here’s a Scripture that wraps this up totally, 1 Peter 2:16: ^NIV

^16.Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

It doesn’t get any clearer than this!

Here we have a paradox. One of several in Christianity: Christians are both free and called to serve. Our freedom should be used to glorify God, not as an excuse for wrongdoing. Christian liberty does not allow us Christians to act as we please or conceal sin; instead, service to Christ defines our boundaries.

Think of the grace Jesus extended to the woman caught in the act of adultery; he extended grace, but in John 8:10-11, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹She said, “No one, Lord.”And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; GO AND SIN NO MORE.”

While we do have grace, we are not to continue in sin.

Bottom line: My friends, we are called to be free, but we are not to use our freedom to indulge our sinful nature.

We are to live in repentance because we will sin and need to repent. Not live a life of sin, or a life of iniquity as we did before. But sin in a Christians life should be an accident. We can commit sins without knowing it. But when we are convicted by the Spirit, we must repent—turn away from them with the intention to not repeat them again.

Once saved, always saved— That statement, as it is commonly taught, is a Misnomer—a statement of inaccuracy. The accurate statement is, once saved, always saved as long as we live a godly life—a life of repentance.

This is why we should pray each morning for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and pray each night for forgiveness of whatever sin we’ve committed during the day.

You see, society, both Christian and non-Christian, has a dangerous mindset. We want the results, but we don’t want to do the work. We want eternal life, but we want to live on our own terms. That’s not happening! If you want the results, you must do the work. We must live a life of repentance.

Conclusion

So, as I close, back to the original question, let’s bring all of this together. Are we under the Law, or under grace?

The unequivocal, unambiguous, unmistakable answer is – BOTH!

We are under the Law, and we are under grace. You can’t have one without the other. We simply cannot take the law out of the equation.

Now, let’s think about this. If there’s no Law, there’s no need for grace, and if there is no grace, we’re simply lost. To say I’m not under the Law but under grace raises the question, grace from what? The answer— grace from the Law. But only by faith in Jesus – That’s the only way.

I’m going to share one more Scripture, John 1:17 NKJV

^17.For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Here we have Law and grace are both expressions of God’s nature. Moses focused on law and justice, while Jesus Christ emphasized mercy, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness. Moses delivered the law; Christ fulfilled it.

My friends, the Law still applies today. It is still wrong to have idols, to lie, steal, disregard the Sabbath, commit adultery, bear false witness, and covet.

Let me take this further. The Laws in our nation today are based on the Ten Commandments. If you carefully examine any law on the books, you will see that it’s based on at least one of the Ten Commandments.

So, the bottom line: we can’t deny the Law, and we can’t deny the grace that comes through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. So let us grasp both and walk in the freedom that is bestowed upon us. Because it is Christ who fulfilled the Law and Christ who gives us grace.”—Amen!

INTRODUCING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SERIES

With this foundation in place, the next natural question is how the Ten Commandments apply to believers today. The upcoming video and article series will examine each commandment, not as a means of salvation, but as a revelation of God’s character and His will for those who live under grace.

Any questions, comments, or concerns may be left below.

👉 Videos

▶️ Watch the Short (60 seconds):
https://youtube.com/shorts/II8rMjDnETM

Tag: biblical law