Law, Grace, and the Role of the Old Testament Today
Law, Grace, and the Role of the Old Testament Today
Few topics cause more confusion among Christians than the relationship between law and grace.
Some fear that emphasising grace weakens obedience.
Others fear that talking about the law undermines freedom in Christ.
This confusion often leads to a deeper question:
What role does the Old Testament play for Christians today?
This chapter brings clarity — not by choosing law or grace, but by understanding how God uses both within His redemptive plan.
1. What Do We Mean by “Law” and “Grace”?
The Law
In Scripture, “the law” primarily refers to:
God’s commands given to Israel through Moses
moral, ceremonial, and civil instructions
a covenantal framework shaping Israel as a nation
The law reveals:
God’s holiness
God’s will for human life
humanity’s sin and inability
Paul summarises this beautifully:
“Through the law we become conscious of our sin.” — Romans 3:20
Grace
Grace is God’s unearned favour — His kindness toward sinners.
Grace:
initiates salvation
sustains the believer
empowers transformation
restores relationship
Grace does not ignore sin; it deals with it decisively through Christ.
“For it is by grace you have been saved… not by works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
2. Law and Grace Are Not Enemies
A common mistake is to treat law and grace as opposites.
Scripture presents them as distinct but complementary.
The law reveals what is right
Grace provides the power to live rightly
The law exposes sin
Grace forgives and transforms
The problem was never the law — it was humanity’s inability to keep it perfectly.
“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” — Romans 7:12
The law is good.
Grace is necessary.
3. The Purpose of the Law in the Old Testament
The law served several key purposes:
a) To Reveal God’s Character
The law reflects God’s justice, goodness, and concern for life, community, and worship.
b) To Expose Sin
The law makes sin visible.
“I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” — Romans 7:7
c) To Restrain Evil
The law provided moral and social order within a broken world.
d) To Prepare for Christ
The law points forward, showing the need for a greater solution than human obedience.
“The law was our guardian until Christ came.” — Galatians 3:24
The law is a signpost — not the destination.
4. Jesus and the Law
Jesus does not reject the law. He fulfils it.
He:
lives in perfect obedience
reveals the law’s true intent
exposes superficial righteousness
completes what the law anticipated
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets… I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” — Matthew 5:17
Jesus fulfils the law both by obedience and by bearing its penalty on the cross.
5. Grace Does Not Replace Obedience
Grace does not eliminate moral responsibility.
It redefines motivation.
Under the law: Obedience seeks acceptance.
Under grace: Obedience flows from acceptance.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15
Christians obey not to earn God’s favour, but because they have received it.
6. Do Christians Still Have to Keep the Law?
This depends on what we mean by “the law.”
Ceremonial Law
Sacrificial systems, dietary laws, and ritual purity pointed forward to Christ and are fulfilled in Him.
“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” — Hebrews 10:10
Civil Law
These governed Israel as a nation and do not directly apply to the Church.
Moral Law
Moral truths reflecting God’s character continue to guide Christian living and are reaffirmed in the New Testament.
Christians are not under the law as a covenant for salvation, but they are shaped by its moral wisdom.
7. What Role Does the Old Testament Play Today?
The Old Testament remains essential because it:
reveals God’s character
explains the need for redemption
provides the background for Jesus’ mission
offers wisdom, warning, and encouragement
shows God’s long-term faithfulness
Paul affirms its ongoing value:
“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.” — Romans 15:4
Without the Old Testament, the New Testament loses depth and coherence.
8. Reading the Old Testament Through Christ
Christians read the Old Testament:
as preparation, not replacement
as promise, not redundancy
as Scripture fulfilled in Christ
Jesus is the lens through which the Old Testament finds its meaning.
“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” — John 5:39
9. Avoiding Two Common Errors
Legalism
Using the law to earn God’s approval or measure spiritual worth.
License
Using grace as an excuse for disobedience.
Both misunderstand the gospel.
Paul holds both truths together:
“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” — Romans 6:1–2
Grace frees us from sin, not into it.
10. Living Faithfully Today
For Christians today:
Grace secures salvation
The Spirit empowers obedience
Scripture provides wisdom
Love fulfils the law
“Love is the fulfilment of the law.” — Romans 13:10
Christian freedom is not freedom from holiness — but freedom to pursue it.
11. Final Encouragement
The law shows us our need.
Grace meets that need in Christ.
The Old Testament reminds us that God is faithful across generations.
Law and grace together reveal the heart of God — holy, just, and merciful.