If you’re the kind who likes to get straight to the point, here’s the skinny on what the Bible says about following the law: it’s a big deal, but not in the way you might think. The Bible presents a nuanced view of the law, emphasizing that it’s not just about following rules for the sake of it. Instead, it’s about understanding the spirit behind the law, which is rooted in love—love for God and love for our neighbors. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, offering a new perspective that focuses on the heart rather than just external compliance. This doesn’t mean that laws are irrelevant; they guide us in living out our faith practically.
Curious to dive deeper? Stick around. We’re about to unravel a fascinating blend of history, spirituality, and life lessons that could change how you see the Bible’s take on the law.
What Does the Bible Say About Following the Law?
At its core, the Bible’s discussion about the law is both complex and captivating. From the Old Testament’s detailed commandments to Jesus’s teachings in the New Testament, the Bible navigates us through the significance of the law in our relationship with God and each other.
In the Old Testament, the law was given to the Israelites as a covenant, outlining how to live in harmony with God and society. These laws covered everything from dietary restrictions to moral behavior, serving as a comprehensive guide for righteous living. However, it’s crucial to understand that these laws were not just about maintaining order; they were about setting the Israelites apart as God’s people, dedicated to living by his standards.
Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see Jesus introducing a revolutionary approach to the law. He emphasizes the law’s spirit over its letter, pointing out that righteousness goes beyond mere rule-following. For Jesus, the heart of the law is love—loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself. This doesn’t invalidate the Old Testament laws but rather fulfills them in a way that focuses on internal transformation rather than external observance.
Paul’s letters further elaborate on this theme, explaining that while the law is good, it cannot save us from sin. Instead, it brings awareness of sin. Paul introduces the concept of grace, arguing that faith in Jesus allows believers to live in a way that pleases God, not through strict adherence to the law but through a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
This New Testament perspective doesn’t mean that Christians are free to live as they please without regard for moral or ethical standards. Instead, it suggests that the law’s ultimate purpose is to guide us to live in a way that reflects God’s love and justice. Following the law is not about earning God’s favor but about responding to God’s grace with a life that honors Him and serves others.
Bible Verses About Following the Law
- Matthew 5:17-18 – Here, Jesus states, “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.” This highlights Jesus’s respect for the law and his intention to complete its purpose, focusing on its fulfillment through love and mercy rather than mere observance.
- Romans 13:8-10 – Paul writes, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” He explains that all commandments are summed up in this single decree: to love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the law’s fulfillment.
- Galatians 3:24-25 – Paul describes the law as our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. This passage illustrates the transition from the law’s guidance to living by faith in Christ.
- James 2:8 – James calls the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” and affirms that if you do so, you are doing well. This echoes Jesus’s teaching that loving others is central to following God’s law.
- Romans 6:14 – Paul assures us, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” This verse underscores the transformative power of grace over the law. It’s not the law that has the final say over our lives but God’s grace, enabling us to overcome sin and live in a way that honors Him.
- Romans 7:4 – Here, Paul explains, “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” This passage highlights the believer’s transition from being bound by the law to being united with Christ, which empowers us to live lives that produce spiritual fruit.
- Galatians 5:22-23 – Speaking of the fruit of the Spirit, Paul lists qualities such as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He then notes, “Against such things there is no law.” This suggests that when we live by the Spirit, our lives naturally align with God’s desires, transcending the need for external law enforcement.
- Hebrews 8:10 – This verse outlines the promise of a new covenant, saying, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” This indicates a deep, personal internalization of God’s laws, moving beyond external adherence to a heart-driven commitment to live in alignment with God’s will.
- James 1:25 – James speaks of the perfect law, the law of liberty, and notes that whoever looks into it and perseveres, being not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, will be blessed in their doing. This emphasizes the idea that true freedom and blessing come from actively living out the principles found in God’s word, not merely listening to them.
- 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” This verse beautifully ties together the concepts of love for God and obedience to His commandments, suggesting that true love for God naturally expresses itself through a desire to follow His laws, which are designed not as a heavy burden but as a guide to living fully and joyfully in relationship with Him and others.
Through these verses, the Bible paints a picture of the law not as a rigid set of rules to be followed out of obligation but as a pathway to living a life that reflects God’s love, grace, and righteousness. It’s about the transformation of the heart, enabled by faith in Jesus Christ, leading to a life that honors God and enriches our relationships with others.