Statement of Fundamental Beliefs -
THE LAW OF GOD


God's basic spiritual law is summed up in the "Ten Commandments" (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4). In the "Sermon on the Mount" and elsewhere, Jesus magnified God's law (Matthew chapters 5–7; Isaiah 42:21), showing His followers that they must obey both the letter and the "spirit." "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12). It is practicing this way of life—through Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20)—that makes one a true "saint" (Revelation 14:12).


"But I was told the Law was done away"

Nowhere does the Bible teach that the Ten Commandments are "done away." The apostles did teach that the Old Testament system of animal sacrifices was replaced by the sacrifice of Christ, but they continued to teach and practice all things Christ taught. One of those plain teaching of Jesus is: "But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).

Some conclude that the Apostle Paul taught against commandment keeping, but as Peter said, many have misunderstood some things Paul wrote: "as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul never contradicted Jesus by teaching commandment breaking.

Some refer to Acts 15 and claim it does away with the necessity to keep the law of God, but it says no such thing. The subject under discussion in Acts 15 was: if circumcision is necessary; not whether the commandments were "done away." Later Paul, in a letter to uncircumcised Gentile Christians said, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Corinthians 7:19). Even the Apostle to the Gentiles taught commandment keeping!

Paul also said, "for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified" (Romans 2:13). We are justified to God by Christ having paid the penalty for our past sins, but the Bible teaches that we should become diligent in keeping the commandments and sin no more.

I repeat with Paul, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Corinthians 7:19). This includes even the fourth commandment, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God" (Exodus 20:9-10). Paul kept the seventh day Sabbath and taught non-Jews on the Sabbath, "So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath…On the next Sabbath almost the whole (Gentile!) city came together to hear the word of God" (Acts 13:42, 44).

Christians are not permitted to omit any of the Ten Commandments. The Apostle James, said, "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).

Pardon me for pointing this out, but it seems that those who argue against obeying God's law may be trying to free themselves from having to obey God. If they are looking for an excuse to get around the plain teaching of the Bible, I am sure they will find one. But to receive the Holy Spirit and become a Christian, we must begin to obey God: "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:32).


Question:

The Apostle Paul states that "love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:10). Does his statement mean that we need not keep the Ten Commandments if we have "love"?

Answer:

The "love" of which Paul writes is not some sentimental feeling of human origin. He explains that it is the very love of God imparted to our minds by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22). This is the love that enables one to keep-"fulfill"-the Ten Commandments. But how exactly does God's love fulfill His commandments?

Jesus Christ set the example all Christians are to follow (1 Peter 2:21). He kept His Father's commandments, and taught others to keep them (John 14:15; 15:10; Matthew 19:16-19).

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments as the expression of love to God and to our fellow man (Matthew 22:35-40). The first four commandments show us how to love God, and the last six commandments show us how to love our neighbors. Since the Apostle John tells us that the basic characteristic of God's nature and character is "love" (1 John 4:8, 16), the Ten Commandments are therefore expressions of the Supreme Lawgiver's divine love, because they reflect His very character-which is summarized by the word "love." This love is not some form of human love, but is the divine love that comes directly from God through His Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

As God is love, Jesus showed that the spiritual intent and purpose of God's law is love. The divine love of God, imparted to converted Christians by God's Holy Spirit, is expressed within the bounds of God's law-the Ten Commandments. It is manifested first of all in adoration and worship of God, and literal obedience to Him; and then in outgoing concern, compassion, kindness and service to those around us. The love of God enables us to fulfill the spiritual intent of His law.

The Apostle Paul further explains: "He who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:8-10).

God reveals that His love is expressed by our keeping His commandments. The Apostle John plainly stated how God's love is expressed, and then defined it as follows: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:2-3).

Nevertheless, could there possibly be any truth whatsoever in the widespread belief that "love" fulfills the law of God in such a way that the keeping of the Ten Commandments is no longer necessary?

The Apostle John emphatically tells us: No (1 John 2:3-6; 2 John 5-6).

John certainly emphasized the importance of God's love. But never did he, or any other writer of Scripture, say that love put away, superseded or invalidated the law of God. John, who was a close friend, disciple and Apostle of Jesus Christ, stated plainly that one who truly has the love of God will be keeping the commandments of God!

The time is coming soon when the whole world, ruled by Jesus Christ, will understand and appreciate what an incredible blessing the law of God really is. A glorious world of peace and harmony will be the result of keeping God's law (Isaiah 2:2-3).


If you would like to receive more information or have any questions please call our Canadian Regional Office toll free at 1-800-932-4262, or (905)814-1094 within Toronto, and ask to speak with a minister.

Previous Topic     Back to Statement of Beliefs     Next Topic


THE LAW OF GOD


Key Scriptures

Matthew 19:17 But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.

1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him[God], if we keep His commandments


Further Information

The Ten Commandments
By Roderick C. Meredith
Today's "modern" society is in conflict over the Ten Commandments. Have they been "done away" by divine fiat or by mankind's march toward scientific knowledge? Should they be displayed in public places, or reserved for the church? Are they a burden to "enlightened" people, or a blessing to those who obey them?   View >>

Law or Grace? (telecast)
By Roderick C. Meredith
Does God's grace remove our responsibility to obey the commandments of the law? Are God's Ten Commandments done away? Learn how these two seemingly opposite concepts, Law and Grace, actually work together in perfect harmony!   View >>

Must We Obey God To Be Saved?
By Richard F. Ames
After a Christian accepts God's grace, does God require anything more? God tells us to repent and be baptized, but is this "salvation by works"? Is "obedience" at odds with "grace"? What does the Bible really teach about obedience to Jesus Christ?   View >>