Three weeks ago, the Post by Paul Ellis listed 12 types of law found in the Bible, from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ. Some of these laws are old covenant laws that come with penalties, while others are new covenant laws that describe the life that is ours in Christ. This is a follow-up to that very important list.  LR ….

I do want to add to that list by briefly listing some of the different types of commandments found in the Bible. Then I will ask two questions: Who is the law for? And how do we fulfill the law?

Different commandments

Just as different types of law are mentioned in the New Testament, so too are there different types of commandments. In several places, “the commandments” refer to the Ten Commandments or the Law of Moses (Matt. 5:19, 19:7, 22:40, Mark 10:19, Luke 1:6, 18:20). Sometimes this also includes the ceremonial ordinances and rituals of the Jewish religion (Eph. 2:15).

In other places, “the commandments” refer to the teachings of men, that is, rabbinical dictates, denominational requirements, preachers’ mandates, and so forth (Col. 2:22, Tit. 1:14). 

Sometimes “the commandments” refer to the commandments of God, which includes the command to believe in his Son (1 Cor. 7:19, 1 John 5:2–3, 2 John 1:6, Rev. 12:17, 14:12). “This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23).

Finally, the Bible refers to the commands of Jesus (John 14:15, 21, 15:10, 1 John 2:3–4, 3:22, 24). Keeping the commands or instructions of Jesus, is a response to his great love for us. Just as we love others because he first loved us (John 13:34), we are able to obey Jesus because we know how much he loves us (John 14:15). His great love for us inspires us to trust him (John 14:23) – enabled by the Holy Spirit who was “poured into” our new spirit-self when reborn.

Church laws

In addition to the various laws and commands found in the Bible, churchgoers are sometimes made to follow laws governing tithing, the role of women, church attendance, church leadership, the consumption of alcohol, divorce, and many other things. 

Catholics are forbidden to eat meat on Friday or marry non-Catholics. Some Protestants believe dancing and drinking are sins. 

Perhaps you have been told you must do things (e.g., confess your sins) to earn God’s favor (e.g., his forgiveness) or maintain your salvation. That’s a kind of law, and like any law it will stir up the very sin it tries to suppress. The law does this by exciting the flesh and encouraging us to trust in ourselves instead of Jesus.

Any religious law, whether it comes from the Bible or tradition, has two distinguishing characteristics. First, it is expressed as an imperative. “Thou shalt not go dancing.” Second, there are consequences for noncompliance. “Or we will rescind your church membership.” For this reason the exhortations of the New Testament cannot be regarded as laws as none of them come with sanctions or penalties. 

Who is the law for?

One of the great errors in the modern church is that many Christians believe they need the law, by which they mean the Law of Moses. “We need to keep the law to please God.” Yet the scriptures plainly state that we are not under law (Rom. 6:14–15, Gal. 5:18), we are dead to the law (Rom. 7:4), and we are free from the law (Rom. 7:3, 6). 

We have not been made lawless. Rather, we have been given something better. Instead of walking in the old way of the law, we get to walk in the new way of the Spirit (Rom. 7:6, 8:4, Gal. 5:18). 

So who is the law for? The law is for the lost. “The law is not made for a righteous person” but for the self-righteous and the independent (1 Tim. 1:9). 

The law is for those who take pride in their moral behavior and say, “I’m not perfect, but I’m better than the next man.” To this the law replies, “Your best is not good enough. A holy God demands perfection. If you have broken even one command, you are guilty of breaking all” (see Gal. 5:3, Jas. 2:10). The mirror of the law reveals our sins and silences boasting mouths (Rom. 3:19).

The law is also for “lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious” (1 Tim. 1:9). It condemns the sinful as guilty and passes the sentence of death. It does this so that all may see their need for the grace of God that comes through Jesus alone.

How do we fulfill the law?

We fulfill the law by putting our trust in Jesus. No one is made right with God by doing good works or keeping the law (Rom. 3:20). Rather, our justification comes to us as a gift of grace that is received by faith (Rom. 3:24, 28, Gal. 3:24). Writing in The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee said:

God’s requirements have not altered, but we are not the ones to meet them. Praise God, he is the Lawgiver on the Throne, and he is the Lawkeeper in my heart. He who gave the Law, himself keeps it.

If you liked this, you will love my brand new entry for “The Law” in the Grace Commentary. And don’t forget there are plenty of other articles about the law on E2R.

Grace and peace,

Paul Ellis

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Next week will feature “Jesus, the Greatest Law Preacher.” See how that fits in with “The Law came through Moses but Grace and Peace through Jesus Christ.” Comments welcome! LR