Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

The New Testament presents a paradox concerning God’s law. On one hand, it is abolished, on the other, responsibilities to it remain.

Regarding Jews and Gentiles, Paul writes that Christ “is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances.

[All this] so that in HImself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace” (Ephesians 2:14-15). With the church’s emergence, the “dividing wall” of civil ordinances disappeared.

The ceremonial law has also been terminated. While Christ was on the cross, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38). With Jesus’ death the Old Testament sacrifices became invalid and unnecessary.

In a certain sense God’s moral law seems no longer binding on His children (Romans 10:4; 6:12-15; Galatians 5:17-18). Paul harmonizes this notion when he speaks of being “without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:11).

In Christ, believers are anything but without the law. Whereas His law is totally different from the Old Testament moral law with its penalties for disobedience, it is not different at all from the righteous standards which that law taught.

Whenever we look at the moral law with humility and a sincere desire to obey, the law will inevitably point us to Jesus Christ—as was always its ultimate intention.[1]

John MacArthur

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End notes:

[1] John MacArthur, Daily Readings From the Life of Christ [Chicago: Moody, 2008], April 8.

See also:

LET’S LOOK AT THE GOSPEL

THE MARRED IMAGE OF GOD

ALL FALSE TEACHERS SEEK THE APPROVAL OF MAN