The question of whether Christians must follow the Old Testament Law remains one of the most common and significant inquiries among believers. This topic is not merely theological. It shapes how Christians view the entire story of Scripture, how they understand God’s character, and how they live out their daily faith.
When reading the Old Testament, many encounter an extensive system of commands, rituals, and instructions. These laws once defined the identity and worship of God’s people. Yet, in the New Testament, Christ announces a New Covenant, where grace takes centre stage and the Holy Spirit writes God’s truth upon human hearts.
Purpose of the Old Testament Law
The Old Testament Law, also known as the Mosaic Law, revealed God’s holiness while exposing the reality of human sin. It shaped Israel into a set-apart nation and pointed forward to the coming Messiah. Romans 3:20 explains that the Law helps humanity recognize sin. It served as a mirror that revealed the need for a Savior rather than a pathway to salvation.
Key Purposes of the Law
- It revealed God’s holiness.
- It exposed human sinfulness.
- It shaped Israel as a distinct people.
- It pointed forward to the Messiah.
Jesus and the Fullfillment of the Law
Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fullfill the Law rather than abolish it. His life and ministry brought the Law to its intended completion. Through His perfect obedience, His once-for-all sacrifice, and the fullfillment of every prophetic promise, Jesus revealed the true depth and meaning behind God’s commands. Hebrews 10:1–10 teaches that the Law served as a shadow pointing forward to Christ, who brought its purpose to full reality.
How Jesus Fulfilled the Law
- Perfect obedience
- Completion of the sacrificial system
- Fullfillment of prophetic promises
- Revelation of the deeper meaning behind God’s commands
Under Law or Under Grace
Romans 6:14 teaches that believers are not under the Law but under grace. This does not erase God’s moral standards. Instead, it reshapes the relationship between God and His people. The book of Galatians explains that Christians are no longer bound to the rituals, ceremonies, and regulations of the Old Covenant. Instead, they live through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
Key Truths About Grace
The Holy Spirit empowers Christian living
Believers are under grace, not the Law
God’s moral standards remain unchanged
Old Covenant rituals are no longer binding
Which Old Testament Laws Apply Today?
Christians are not obligated to keep Israel’s ceremonial or civil laws. These included:
- Animal sacrifices
- Temple rituals
- Dietary regulations
- Israelite national laws
- Festival requirements
These were fulfilled entirely in Christ.
However, the moral law reflects God’s unchanging character. Principles such as honesty, purity, justice, and love continue to guide Christian living. Believers obey these truths not to earn righteousness, but because God has already granted righteousness through Christ.
The Law’s Role in Grace-Based Living
Grace does not weaken obedience. Grace strengthens and empowers it. Under the New Covenant, God writes His truth on the hearts of believers, as Jeremiah 31:33 explains. Christians now obey from a changed inner life rather than external obligation. Their obedience grows from love, gratitude, spiritual renewal, and the active work of the Holy Spirit.
How Grace Shapes Obedience
- Love
- Gratitude
- Spiritual transformation
- The power of the Holy Spirit
Salvation and the Old Testament Law
Scripture teaches that salvation does not come through law-keeping. Ephesians 2:8–9 states that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith. Paul warns in Galatians 2:21 that if righteousness could come through the Law, then the death of Christ would lose its meaning. The cross demonstrates that human effort cannot save. Only the grace of God can bring redemption.
Key Truths About Salvation
- Salvation does not come through the Law
- It is received by grace through faith
- Human righteousness is insufficient
- The cross confirms that only grace can save
Law and Grace in the New Covenant
The Law and Grace do not oppose each other. They serve different purposes:
- The Law reveals humanity’s need.
- Grace provides God’s solution.
- The Law exposes sin.
- Grace offers forgiveness and transformation.
God’s character remains consistent across both covenants, but His method of relationship has transitioned from Law to grace through Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Love, and the Law of Christ
Jesus summarized God’s heart for obedience through love. John 13:34 teaches believers to love as Christ loved. Paul refers to this as the Law of Christ in Galatians 6:2.
Christian obedience is now shaped by love, not ritual or legal requirement. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live with Christlike character.
Practical Ways to Honour God Through Grace
Christians honour God’s Law through a life shaped by the Holy Spirit. Instead of relying on external rules, believers allow Scripture to guide their thoughts, attitudes, and decisions. They pursue holiness from a heart filled with love, extend grace to others, and walk in constant gratitude for the finished work of Christ. Grace strengthens holiness far more effectively than law-keeping ever could.
Ways to Honor God Through Grace
- Walking daily with the Holy Spirit
- Allowing Scripture to shape attitudes and choices
- Pursuing holiness from a place of love
- Giving grace to others
- Practicing gratitude for Christ’s finished work
The Law’s Lasting Value Through the Lens of Grace
The Old Testament Law still carries deep value because it reveals God’s holiness, exposes humanity’s need, and directs attention toward Jesus Christ. Yet believers now live under the New Covenant, where grace guides the heart, the Holy Spirit empowers daily life, and transformation begins from within. The Law points toward Christ, and grace flows from Him. Through His work, Christians live in a way that honours God with sincerity, devotion, and joy.
For deeper study, resources like Bible Gateway / BibleProject – The Law offer excellent translations and commentaries to explore these themes further.
