Why Do We Need God’s Law?

It’s an honest question many people have. If we now live under grace then what impact does God’s Law have on our lives?

The Law of God is very important to our lives. The Law gives us a glimpse at the character of God. His Law show us His love for people and His holiness. God is holy and can tolerate nothing less than holiness from those who dwell with Him. The Law is how God tells us what we need to do as we travel this Earth. This again shows God’s love for his people. He does not leave us ignorant. He gives us his law so we will know what He expects of us.

Since Christ came the Law still serves a purpose. Christ came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. He told us the most important laws to follow, Love God and love our neighbor. This seems so simple after reading books like Leviticus. How could Christ come to fulfill the whole Law yet simplify the books of laws down to only 2 laws?

I think it is because all the laws God gave us can fall under these two main categories. When Exodus 20 tells us that we should not covet our neighbor’s things, this is giving us instruction on loving those around us. The 10 commandments also give us instruction not to have other gods. This law clearly falls under loving God.

So the Law of God is given to help us know what God expects of us. It also shows us our sin. The Law of God convicts us of our sin. Have you ever gotten a new cell phone and you are using it just fine until you find out your new contract only had 200 minutes a month after you had used 1000? You find out when you get the bill and realize that a simple mistake is going to cost you big bucks! That is what happens when we learn God’s law. Without it we would go through life without even knowing we had done wrong in God’s eyes. Luckily we have the gift of the Law. We know the character of God because of it, and this reveals the deficiency in our own lives.

Yes, we are saved because of God’s free gift of grace. We must only believe on Christ to be saved. This never ceases to amaze me. However, this grace does not diminish the gift of the law. Jesus did not change God’s laws, He fulfilled God’s promise.