Does the law apply to Christians?

Saturday, 06/20/26 at 10:56
A Voice Shouting

June, 20, 2026

What does the word of God say about the law? I can tell you it’s much different than what the church has taught, which is that the old testament no longer applies to the church. It’s important that we know the word of God for ourselves so that we don’t get led astray by false teaching and teachers.

I was in attendance at a bible study recently and someone asked about keeping the sabbath. The pastor replied “who really does that anymore?”. That response should awaken you. If not, I hope some of the following scripture verses will. I am not going to try to convince you to do anything, but will simply let scripture speak for itself.

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.”

So, Jesus states that the law has not been abolished. Okay, that’s not enough to go on for a clear understanding, so let’s proceed further.

Many will use the writings of the Apostle Paul as evidence that the law no longer applies.

Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Romans 3:19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.

But, just a few verses later he says the following:

Romans 3:29-31 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith. Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].

Here’s what I think Paul is saying. We don’t follow the law for our salvation, but we remain obedient to the law by our love and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our lives. See here:

Romans 13:8…If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

He doesn’t say that we no longer have an obligation to the law, but rather if we are led by the Holy Spirit which leads to loving God and loving others…we will fulfill the requirements of the law.  The focus shifts from legalism to obedience via love.

Now, let’s take a look at what the Apostle James says:

James 1:23-25 “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

James 2:10-12 “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.”So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.”

James 4:11 “Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.”

No, let’s see what the Apostle John says about the obedience to God’s commandments:

1 John 2:3-6 “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

1 John 3:24 “Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us”.

1 John 5: 2-3 “We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.  Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

Lastly, let’s see what Jesus said about obeying his commandments:

John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:21 “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

John 15:10 “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

Let me conclude by saying that God’s commandments are a moral high-ground for believers to follow in order to live the godly life He requires of us. We are not bound by the rules and regulations that were given to the Jews, but we are to live in obedience to God’s commandments in order to remain in God’s love. We are to love God and love our neighbor. Love does no wrong to others so love fulfills the commandments.

Adultery is mentioned numerous times by the Apostle Paul. If we don’t need to be obedient to the commandments, why would he command his flock not to commit adultery? So, if we are to be obedient to God’s commandments, then why is keeping the sabbath not taught in the church today? Keeping the sabbath is a commandment just like committing adultery or murder. If you asked your pastor if it’s okay to commit adultery, he would say: “by no means”. But, if you asked him “do we need to keep the sabbath?”, he would likely say it’s not required of Christians. Does that make any sense? Are we to follow some of the commandments, but not all of them?

Don’t be fooled by what comes from the pulpits brothers and sisters. Jesus said “you are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). And, “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love” (John 15:10). Know your bible and remain in the love of Jesus Christ. May God’s grace and peace be with you all.