God’s law serves as guidance for living a righteous life. Today, we’ll discuss what the Bible says about the law, its purpose, and how it points us to God’s ways.
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What Does The Bible Say About The Law
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.”
This verse emphasizes that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. It highlights the importance of recognizing the continuity and significance of the law in the context of Jesus’ teachings and ministry.
Jesus’ fulfillment of the law demonstrates His obedience and enables believers to understand the deeper meaning and purpose behind the law, guiding us in righteous living and pointing us to a relationship with God.
Romans 3:20
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
This verse underscores the limitations of the law in justifying or making anyone righteous before God. It reveals that the purpose of the law is to expose our sinfulness and our need for a Savior.
The law serves as a mirror, revealing our inability to perfectly uphold its requirements. This awareness leads us to the realization that redemption and righteousness can only come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:7
“What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'”
Paul, in this verse, clarifies that the purpose of the law is not to promote sin but to bring awareness to sin. The law exposes our sinful nature and teaches us what is right and wrong according to God’s standards.
Without the law, we would lack the understanding of our transgressions and the need for repentance and forgiveness. The law, therefore, is a guide that leads us to rely on God’s grace and mercy for salvation.
Galatians 3:24
“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”
This verse emphasizes that the law served as a custodian or guardian for the people of Israel before the coming of Christ. It had a temporary purpose of guiding and restraining sinful behavior.
However, with the arrival of Jesus and the establishment of the new covenant, we are justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Him. The law, therefore, points us to Christ and His redemptive work, providing a foundation for the gospel message.
James 2:10
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
This verse reminds us that even if we strive to obey the law, failing in one area still renders us guilty before God. It highlights the severity and holiness of God’s standards.
Ultimately, this verse emphasizes the need for grace and the recognition that no one can perfectly fulfill the law. Our righteousness is not achieved through legalistic adherence but through faith in Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf.
Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Jesus teaches that the entire law can be summarized in these two commandments: loving God wholeheartedly and loving others as we love ourselves. These commandments encapsulate the essence of righteous living and fulfill the intentions of the law.
By prioritizing a relationship with God and demonstrating love towards our neighbors, we align ourselves with the principles of the law and fulfill its purpose, emphasizing the relational aspect of the law rather than mere legalistic observance.