How Should Christians Follow the Law in Light of Jesus?

In the last post, 'Which Old Testament Laws should Christians follow?' I explored the common Christian approach of dividing the 613 laws into ceremonial, civil, and moral categories to determine their relevance. While this method offers a structured way to discuss the laws, it is not entirely Biblical and raises more questions than answers, creating unnecessary divisions within YHWH's law. Today, I will shift our focus from asking "Which laws should Christians follow?" to a more nuanced question: "How should Christians follow the law in light of Jesus?"

How Israel Was Meant to Observe the Law

To understand how Christians should follow the law, we first need to grasp how it was intended for Israel to follow the law. Unfortunately, love and law are often viewed as separate entities. However, the entire context of the law is covenant; therefore, it cannot be without love. YHWH had already provided a path to freedom for Israel out of His grace. The Israelites' initial freedom was not reliant on their obedience; rather, their obedience was a means for them to fully experience the freedom already bestowed upon them by YHWH.

"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession in all the earth."

Exodus 19:4-5

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts."

Deuteronomy 6:4-6

Out of the context of redemption, there is a love-driven obedience that set the foundation for how Israel was to follow the law.

How Followers of Jesus Are Meant to Observe the Law

Just as YHWH made a way for Israel to experience freedom through a covenant relationship, He made a way for us to do the same through Jesus. And in the same way, our adherence to the law does not dictate whether or not that gift is available to us. By the grace of God, it is available. Like Israel, our ultimate enjoyment of this freedom comes from lovingly and obediently walking with YHWH. The principles of following the law for ancient Israel and followers of Jesus remain the same.

"If you love me, keep my commands"

John 14:6

In this same chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks four times of the importance of following His commands as a function of love. Our obedience is how we demonstrate love for the Father and for our neighbor. The Apostle John continues this message in his epistles, stating that if we claim to love Jesus and have accepted His free, gracious gift, then we must live as Jesus did—obedient to the commands of YHWH.

"Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did."

1 John 2:6

See also: John 14:21, 23-24, 31; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-7.

Even Paul contends that adherence to the law is essential for followers of Jesus. Our faith in Jesus and love for Him spur us on in obedience. Believing in Jesus as our Savior does not negate the significance of God's instructions in our lives.

"Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather we uphold the law."

Romans 3:31

Some may argue that Jesus redefined the law when He summarized the greatest commandments in Matthew 22, stating that the two commands to love God and love our neighbor overshadow the detailed laws of the Old Testament. However, Jesus' summary was not a replacement but a reaffirmation of the law's foundational principles that YHWH communicated through the prophet Micah.

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

The way Israel was intended to follow the law - with a heart of love, grounded in their covenant with YHWH - is a model for how we, as followers of Jesus, should approach the commandments today. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we should move further away from sin, living lives that are increasingly aligned with His teachings. John reminds us:

"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."

1 John 3:4

By observing the law, we are guided away from sin and toward a life of holiness and righteousness. This reinforces the idea that followers of Jesus should observe the Torah not as a burdensome obligation but as a natural expression of our love for God and our commitment to living in a way that honors what He has done for us. To follow Jesus is to adhere to the teachings of the Father.

I know what you're thinking: "Is it feasible to adhere to the laws of the Torah that are closely tied to the customs and lifestyle of ancient Israel?" I believe the answer is unequivocally yes. In the next post, I'll take a closer look at this question with a surprising array of Old Testament laws.

Reflection Questions

• Knowing Israel's intended method of following the law, how does this affect your perspective on the significance of Old Testament laws for Christians?

• Why do you think many Christians view the law as separate from love and ultimately burdensome? Reflect on your own experiences and teachings you’ve received in the church.

• Reflect on Jesus' repeated instructions to follow His commands and the commands of the Father. How do these teachings affect your perception of the law's place in Christian life?

• How does understanding sin as "lawlessness" affect your view of the law's role in your relationship with Jesus?