Many people speak of the Old and New Testaments as though they are separate systems, one built on law and the other on grace. But Scripture does not present two competing revelations. It presents one unfolding story. We see this unity clearly in Jesus’ relationship to the law. The same God who spoke at Sinai is the God revealed in Christ.
In the Old Testament, God gave His law, written by His own finger on stone (Exodus 31:18). It was described as perfect (Psalm 19:7), sure, and standing fast forever (Psalm 111:7–8). Paul calls it “holy, just, and good” (Romans 7:12), a perfect reflection of the character of God.
Did Jesus honor this law or did He change a law that was written to be a representation of the character of God? Jesus revealed it. Jesus brought the law of God to its fullness! Jesus did not introduce something new but deepened our understanding of the law.
Jesus said plainly, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus spoke of the law as an expression of love. John echoes this truth: the one who claims to know Him but does not keep His commandments is “a liar, and the truth is not in him,”, and the one who abides in Him ought to walk “just as He walked” (1 John 2:4–6).
When Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, He said He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). And then He magnified it! “You shall not murder” was not merely about outward violence, it reached into the heart of a person harboring anger and hatred. “You shall not commit adultery” was not only about the act, it exposed lust in the heart (Matthew 5:21–28). Jesus did not lower the standard nor did He change the law but He revealed the true depth of the law. He revealed that the law was always about the condition of our hearts.
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He quoted what had already been written in the Old testament:
love God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5)
And
love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).
He declared, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).
Love was not a replacement for the law, it was its foundation. Love toward God fulfills the first commandments; love toward neighbor fulfills the rest. The law was always about love.
Yet Scripture is equally clear: we are not saved by keeping it. “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified” (Romans 3:20). “By grace you have been saved through faith… not of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). The law reveals sin, Paul says he would not have known sin except through the law (Romans 7:7). It shows us our need, but it cannot save us.
Grace saves.
But grace does not produce lawlessness!
“Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15). Faith does not void the law; it establishes it (Romans 3:31). When the heart is changed, obedience is no longer a burden. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
Before grace, the law can feel condemning. After grace, the law becomes a joy. As the psalmist said, “I delight to do Your will… Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
Jesus did not create a new moral standard. He brought to completeness one that had always existed. He revealed the fullness of God’s moral law– the commandments. In loving Him, we do not cling to commandments as a means of salvation. We hold them because we love the Lawgiver.
So what law did Jesus abolish? What law do we no longer follow?
In a later post, we will look at how Christ fulfilled the shadows of the ceremonial system– the Mosaic ordinances that pointed forward to Him.
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