Rules Still Matter

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” Matthew 5:17 NLT

Recently, a Christian friend asked me a thoughtful question.

"If Jesus fulfilled the Law, why do we still need the Ten Commandments?"

That's a fair question. After all, we're no longer sacrificing lambs or avoiding certain foods. We aren't celebrating all the Jewish feasts or following the hundreds of regulations God gave Israel under the Old Covenant.

So what changed? And what didn't?

The answer begins with understanding that not all of the Old Testament laws served the same purpose.

Some laws were ceremonial laws—instructions about sacrifices, priests, festivals, dietary restrictions, and rituals. These laws pointed forward to Jesus. They were shadows preparing people for the coming Messiah.

When Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for sin, those laws were fulfilled. We no longer need animal sacrifices because the Lamb of God has already come. Hebrews tells us that Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time (Hebrews 10:12)

But the moral law is different. Commands like don't murder, don't steal, don't commit adultery, don't lie, and don't worship other gods weren't temporary rules God invented for one period of history. They reflect who God is. They flow from His holy character.

God doesn't prohibit murder because He happened to think it was a bad idea for ancient Israel. He values life because He is the Author of life.

He forbids lying because He is truth. He commands faithfulness because He is faithful. He alone deserves worship because there is no other God.

His moral laws reveal His heart.

And God's heart hasn't changed.

In fact, Jesus didn't lower the standard. He raised it.

Murder begins with hatred. Adultery begins with lust. Loving God and loving others summarize the entire Law because every command ultimately flows from those two great loves.

We're not saved by keeping commandments.

Salvation has always been by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). But grace doesn't eliminate obedience. It transforms the reason for it.

We don't obey in order to become God's children.

We obey because we already are.

The Ten Commandments are not a ladder we climb to Heaven. They're more like a family resemblance. As God changes us, our lives increasingly reflect His character.

Because Jesus didn't come to abolish holiness.

He came to make holy people.

And that changes everything.

You are loved!