God’s Law

John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Before the foundation of the world it was determined that He would die for us (1 Peter 1:20). He emptied Himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:6–8). By His blood alone past sins are forgiven. “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).

Grace does not cancel obedience

Many stop at the cross and call lawlessness freedom. Christ did not. He preached, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Peter preached the same: repent, be baptized, receive the Spirit (Acts 2:38). Repentance means turning from sin. And sin is lawlessness — the breaking of God’s law (1 John 3:4). That law is summarized in the Ten Commandments. Break one and you are guilty of all (James 2:10–11).

What Jesus said about the commandments

Asked how to enter life, He answered, “Keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17) — and then He raised the standard: hatred as murder in the heart; lust as adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:21–28). John wrote decades later, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar” (1 John 2:4). “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3).

Christ in you — the only way to obey

The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God (Romans 8:7). You cannot white-knuckle holiness forever. After baptism and the laying on of hands, God’s Spirit dwells in you (Acts 2:38; 8:17). Then it is no longer you alone: “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). He kept the Father’s law perfectly as our example — not so we could ignore it, but so He could live that obedience in us.

All ten — including the one most churches drop

Ask almost any minister if murder, adultery, theft, or idolatry are fine. They will say no. The commandment they usually dismiss is the fourth — the Sabbath. God did not authorize that deletion. Law and grace are not enemies. Grace forgives. The Spirit empowers. The commandments define the life of love.