Obviously the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgement before God.  For no-one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his laws commands.  For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it.  Romans 3:19-20

Sin is the transgression of the law.  (I John 3:4).  What law?  The Ten Commandments.

If we are to understand sin and why we need to repent, then we need to know and understand the law - the Ten Commandments.  Once we do that then we can understand why Jesus Christ died for us and how we are saved by grace.

God loves all of us and does not wish anyone to die (eternal death).  John 3:16, probably the most quoted and remembered scripture in the bible, explains this clearly.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

But what follows after that is equally important.

“And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life.  Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life.”  John 3:36

Take note of that, those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life.

Jesus Christ explained to us in his Sermon on the Mount that he did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them.  (Matthew 5:17)

If you continue to read from verse 21 to 44, notice the words “but I say”, when he goes through some of the Commandments.  For example:

“You have heard that the Law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder.  If you commit murder, you are subject to judgement.  But I say, If you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgement!...”  Matthew 5:21-22.

These are Jesus’ commands to us and what we should follow. In a nutshell, he is telling us - don’t even think about it.  He is telling us that sin starts with just a thought.  It is more than just actually carrying out the act, but thinking or harbouring thoughts about sin is just as wrong, because action follows thought, and if we control our thoughts then we are less likely to do things that get us into trouble.

Jesus fulfilled the law in this way:

“…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important.  Love your neighbour as yourself.  All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40.

Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  (Romans 13:10)

This is generally what the Ten Commandments are all about.  The first four teaches us love toward God and the last six, love towards our fellowman.

The Law establishes moral and ethical values in our lives.  This is the main purpose of it.  And most importantly love to God and others.

As a matter of fact Jesus said if we love him then we will obey him.

“Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them.  And I will reveal myself to each one of them.”  John 14:21

Look out for my next article:  How we are saved by Grace