Did Jesus Really Say That? Must We Obey Old Testament Laws?

Posted: 08 Aug 2017 08:46 PM PDT
Did God Really Say He Didn't Abolish Old Testament Law? Understanding Mt.5:17


"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." ~ Jesus, Matthew 5:17

Jesus didn't abolish Old Testament law.

Does that mean we still must obey it?

No.

Christ fulfilled the law and prophets.

In Christ, we live under grace, not law (Romans 6:14; Galatians 3:11).

We have the power, desire, and responsibility to live obedient lives (Romans 8:9-14). But we obey New Testament commands based on the deeper spiritual meaning of the law - the fulfillment of the law - not simply the "letter of the law" (Matthew 5:20-48).

Grace isn’t a license to sin (Romans 6:1-6). It’s our motivation and power to overcome sin.

As Paul so aptly explained:

“His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." ~ Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:10

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Note: We are no longer required to obey dietary, ceremonial, cleansing, and sacrificial laws. (Romans 14:17; Colossians 2:16-17).
See: Which Old Testament Laws Apply Today
Did God Really Say He Didn't Abolish Old Testament Law? Understanding Mt.5:17