For every Christian, understanding the role of the Old Testament law is essential to living out their faith. The question often arises: How does the law, given to the people of Israel centuries ago, apply to believers today? Are Christians still bound by portions of Old Testament law, or has it been rendered irrelevant by the coming of Christ?

This question is often met with a range of perspectives. Some progressive Christians dismiss the Old Testament laws as outdated, while some legalistic teachers insist that many of these laws are still binding, using them to place heavy burdens on their congregations. However, dismissing the law entirely or enforcing it without discernment both miss the deeper purpose of the law in the life of a believer.

To discern how Old Testament laws should influence the Christian life today, theologians have categorized the laws into three distinct types: civil law, ceremonial law, and moral law. By examining these categories, we gain a clearer understanding of which aspects of the law remain relevant for Christians and the purpose they serve in our spiritual journey.

Ceremonial Law: 

Reason for?

Explicitly related to Israel’s worship:

• • • Like the offering animal sacrifices.
    • Circumcision.

What about it now?

• • • Its primary purpose was to point toward Jesus Christ; these laws are no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection, as we now have direct access to the Father.
    • While we are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws, the principles behind them to worship and love a holy God still apply.
    • The Pharisees often accused Jesus of violating the ceremonial law.

Civil Law: 

Reason for?

A guide for daily living in the days of Israel:

• • • Like the requirement of wearing cross-fiber clothing.
    • Men commanded not to cut their hair.

What about it now?

• • • Society and culture in the modern world today are so radically different from the days of Israel, these guidelines cannot be explicitly followed.
    • However, the principles behind these commands are timeless and should guide our conduct.
    • Jesus demonstrated these principles by example through His daily living and conduct while on earth.

The Mortal Law: 

Reason for?

They are direct commands from God, such as the 10 Commandments.

What about it now?

• • • These direct commands from God require strict obedience.
    • The moral law reveals the nature and the will of God, and it still applies today.
    • Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.

The segregation of Jewish law into different classes is a concept created by scholars in order to gain a deeper understanding of God’s reason / motive behind these laws.

While not entirely applicable the OT laws are still valuable for Christians as a source of moral instruction and wisdom. While ceremonial and civil laws had specific applications for Israel in the OT era, moral laws have an ongoing relevance. For instance, most of the Ten Commandments are reiterated in the New Testament, demonstrating their continued importance.

If we look back at a pinnacle period of christian history which is the Reformation period we can learn that it was founded on grace, not law. While the Reformers did not reject the law of God, they did not ignore it completely either.

To demonstrate the importance of the law for the Christian life, John Calvin a leading pioneer of the reformed movement, wrote what has come to be known as the “Threefold Use of the Law.”

First and foremost, the law serves as a mirror. In one sense, the law of God reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. It is through the law that we learn much about who God is.

A more important aspect of the law is that it illuminates human sinfulness. By highlighting our weakness, the law draws us to God’s strength in Christ. In this case, the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who directs us to Christ.

A second purpose of the law is to restrain evil. In and of itself, the law cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve as a means of protecting the righteous from the unjust. By its fearful denunciations and dread of punishment, it curbs people who, unless forced, don’t care about right and wrong.

The law allows for a limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.

The third purpose of the law is to reveal what God finds pleasing. As born-again children of God, the law teaches us what pleases our Father, whom we seek to serve.

As God delights in the law, so does the Christian.

In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” This is the highest function of the law, to serve as an instrument for God’s people to give Him honor and glory.

Christians are to be students of the law of God by studying or meditating upon it. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we learn what pleases Him and what offends Him. It is always binding on us to follow the moral law that God reveals in Scripture.

Once we are saved, our redemption is from the curse of God’s law, not from our duty to obey it.

We are not justified by obeying the law, but we are justified so that we may live in obedience to God’s law. To love Christ is to keep His commandments. To love God is to obey His law.