The Role of the Law in Christian Doctrine
Is the Law still relevant for Christians today—or has grace rendered it obsolete?
Do Christians still need to obey the Law? Or did Jesus abolish it completely? These are pressing questions for many believers—especially those wrestling with guilt, grace, and obedience.
For some, the Law feels like a burden from the past: a system of commands and rituals we’ve outgrown. For others, it remains a blueprint for holy living. Yet at the heart of this discussion lies a deeper issue: how does God want His people to live?
Understanding the role of the Law in Christian doctrine isn’t just for scholars—it’s vital for everyday discipleship. It helps us answer:
- Why did Jesus fulfill the Law?
- What does obedience look like under grace?
- Are we still under commandments?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the purpose, fulfillment, and application of the Law in the Christian life—anchored in Scripture and overflowing with grace and truth.
🧠 What Do We Mean by “the Law”?
In biblical terms, “the Law” generally refers to the commandments God gave to Israel, particularly through Moses, often called the Mosaic Law. This includes:
- The Moral Law (e.g., the Ten Commandments – Exodus 20)
- The Ceremonial Law (regulations for worship, sacrifices, cleanliness)
- The Civil Law (rules for governance and justice in ancient Israel)
The Hebrew word Torah means “instruction” and encompasses more than just rules—it reflects God’s will, His character, and His covenant with His people.
The New Testament often refers to “the Law” in different contexts—sometimes meaning the whole Old Testament (Matthew 5:17), other times the Mosaic Law specifically (Galatians 3:10), or just the moral commandments (Romans 7:7).
Understanding which sense is meant is critical when we read passages that seem to contradict each other (e.g., “the Law is holy” vs. “we are not under Law”).
📖 Biblical Foundations: The Law Through the Lens of Scripture
Let’s walk through the Bible to see how the Law unfolds in God’s redemptive plan.
1. The Law in the Old Testament
The Law was central to Israel’s identity:
- It was given by God at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20).
- It revealed God’s holiness and His standard for righteousness (Leviticus 11:44).
- It offered blessings for obedience and warnings for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).
- It exposed sin but could not ultimately remove it (Psalm 143:2; Hebrews 10:1).
Psalm 19:7 rejoices:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul…”
The Law was never intended as a ladder to earn salvation, but as a mirror to reflect God’s character and a guardian to guide God’s people until Christ came (Galatians 3:24).
2. Jesus and the Law
Jesus made one of the most startling claims in Matthew 5:17:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
What does this mean?
- Jesus fulfilled the moral law by perfectly obeying it.
- He fulfilled the ceremonial law as the final sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14).
- He fulfilled the prophetic purpose of the Law by being its goal (Romans 10:4).
Rather than discarding the Law, Jesus deepened its meaning. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), He showed that God’s concern isn’t only external obedience but heart transformation.
3. Paul and the Law
Paul’s writings bring further clarity:
- Romans 3:20 – “Through the law we become conscious of sin.”
- Galatians 3:24–25 – “The law was our guardian until Christ came… now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
- Romans 6:14 – “You are not under law but under grace.”
Yet Paul also upholds the Law’s value:
“So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12)
This tension isn’t contradiction—it’s covenantal transition. The Law has served its purpose in pointing us to Christ. In Him, we now live not by the letter of the Law, but by the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2–4).
🪞 Why It Matters: The Law and Christian Life Today
Understanding the Law helps us avoid two deadly errors:
1. Legalism – Trying to earn God’s favor by works
Some Christians still relate to God as if salvation hinges on their performance. But Paul rebukes this thinking:
“If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)
Legalism enslaves. Grace liberates.
2. Lawlessness (Antinomianism) – Disregarding God’s commands
On the other extreme, some believe that grace cancels out all commands. But Jesus said:
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
Grace doesn’t mean lawlessness—it means empowered obedience from a new heart.
⚖️ Distinguishing Law from Grace: Clarifying Misunderstandings
Let’s address common confusions:
❌ Misunderstanding: “The Law is bad.”
✔️ Truth: The Law is good, but powerless to save. (Romans 8:3)
❌ Misunderstanding: “Christians should follow all Old Testament laws.”
✔️ Truth: We are under the New Covenant, where the moral law is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).
❌ Misunderstanding: “Faith replaces obedience.”
✔️ Truth: True faith produces obedience—not out of fear, but love (James 2:17; Romans 1:5).
🌱 Application: How Should Christians Relate to the Law?
So what does obedience look like today?
1. Delight in the Law, Don’t Depend on It
Like the psalmist, we can say:
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)
But our righteousness is in Christ—not in our law-keeping.
2. Live by the Spirit, Not the Letter
“Walk by the Spirit… If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16–18)
This doesn’t mean we’re free to sin. Rather, it means the Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit that the Law required but could never generate.
3. Obey Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus summed up the Law in two commands:
“Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
This is the heart of New Covenant obedience: love empowered by grace.
📣 Conclusion: From Law to Life
The Law is not obsolete—it’s fulfilled. It’s not our savior—it points to the Savior. In Christ, we are no longer slaves trying to measure up—we are sons and daughters transformed by love.
As Paul writes:
“The righteous requirement of the law [is] fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4)
Let the Law drive you to Christ. Let Christ fill you with the Spirit. And let the Spirit lead you to joyful obedience—not to earn God’s love, but because you already have it.
Next step: Reflect on Romans 7–8 this week. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you’ve been striving under the Law instead of resting in Christ—and let Him transform your obedience from the inside out.