Hello all, so I had a big question that keep coming up on my walk with Christ. By what laws do we live under? Do we follow the 10 commandments? or do we live under the law of love which is Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself? From what I know, is that when we do those 2 we following Jesus commands. Could anyone provide some clarity? Thank you
Every commandment in the Law of God hangs on the two great commandments of loving God and loving your neighbor- so it is not an either/or matter. Every commandment in God's Law is instruction on how to properly love God and your neighbor.; God's Law defines His love. Every last bit of moral instruction in the Bible is for us to follow then. Otherwise Scriptures like 2 Timothy 3:15-17 could not be true: "15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
There were ceremonies, rituals, and holy-days in the Old Testament for Israel which were only holy and right by God's appointment; not because they were inherently holy and right. And when it comes to such things there was a release of gentile Christians from having to follow these things (otherwise we would all need to be circumcised and practicing the rituals of Judaism). This release was done carefully and is seen in Acts chapters 10, 11, and 15. Even in these things, shadows of New Covenant realities, we still need to have the substance of them in Christ instilled in our hearts. As gentile Christians we need not be Jews outwardly, but we must be Jews inwardly. A true conversion to Christ grafts one into the Israel of God to partake of the promises of Israel's Messiah whose faith is founded upon Jewish principles and the foundations of His church are faithful Jewish men.
Key Scriptures to consider here: Matthew 5:17-18: "17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Romans 3:29-31: "29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
Romans 8:3-4: "3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 15:8-10: "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."
Ephesians 2:10-20: "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"
