1. God’s Law - Leads People To Jesus
The first purpose of God’s Law is to lead us to Christ (Gal. 3:24, 13):
“The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith… Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.”
So once we get saved by only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, does that mean we no longer need to obey God’s Law (Rom. 3:31):
“Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.”
The only thing done away with for those in Christ, is the “curse of the Law” or “the judgment of the Law.” Every place in the New Testament where it seems the Law is no more relevant for us in Christ is always and only in the context of salvation, which is a free gift and not by works of the Law.
However, after we are saved God still does not want us to sin (1 John 3:4):
“Everyone who sins is breaking God’s Law, for all sin is contrary to the Law of God.”
But the first purpose of God’s Law is to show us our sin so we might come to Christ Jesus to be saved from the penalty of our sin (1 Cor. 15:3):
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
2. God’s Law - Helps Christians Be More Like Jesus
Once we are saved in the “new covenant”, God’s Law is then NEVER removed from us (Heb. 10:16):
“This is the new covenant I will make with My people on that day, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
The first purpose of the Law is to convict us of our sin to come to Jesus. The second purpose of the Law is to obey in becoming more like Jesus (Heb. 10:14-16):
“For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says, ‘This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’”
In this verse we see both positional truth – “forever made perfect” and conditional truth – “being made holy.” We are now in the process of “being made holy” with the Law in our heart and mind being reminded and better able to keep it, as “the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so.”
Jesus was perfect in fulfilling God’s Law (Mat. 5:17 NIV):
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
If we want to like Jesus - we will work to obey God’s Law and commandments. If we love Jesus - we will work to obey His commandments (John 14:21):
“Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me.”
Moreover, the Apostle Paul declared that we only walk in the Spirit when we do what the Law requires (Rom. 8:4):
“The requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
If it was necessary for Jesus to obey God’s Law to glorify the Father, it is certainly necessary for us to obey God’s Law to glorify the Father.
But there are two parts to God’s Law - Ceremonial Law and Moral Law:
1) Ceremonial Law – were all the laws that could only be fulfilled by Christ when He came to the earth – reflecting His life, death on the cross for our sin and His resurrection.
2) Moral Law – were all the moral laws unlike ceremonial laws. The laws which all people and nations are to follow today:
* God’s Ten Commandments
* God’s Statutes
* God’s Judgments
The Apostle Paul made clear that we do NOT need to follow the ceremonial laws today unlike the moral laws today. Christ fulfilled all the ceremonial laws (Col. 2:16-17):
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these are only shadows of the reality to come. And Christ Himself is that reality.”
How much does the New Testament emphasis God’s moral law for us today? God’s Law is referred to 346 times in the New Testament.
Also, in the New Testament God’s Law is referred to as His “commands & commandments” 78 times. Here are only a few references:
(Mat. 5:17-19): “I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses… So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s Laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
(Mat. 15:3): “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?”
(John 14:15): “If you love Me, obey My Commandments.”
(1 John 2:4): “If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s Commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.”
(1 John 5:3): “Loving God means keeping His Commandments and His Commandments are not burdensome.”
When the New Testament uses the word “Scriptures” that always means the Old Testament and God’s Law. The New Testament had not been assembled until the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. In the New Testament the word “Scripture/s” is referred to 148 times. Here are just a few examples - think of what is said regarding “Scriptures”:
(Rom. 15:4): “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.”
(1 Tim. 4:13): “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church.”
(2 Tim. 3:16-17): “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Notice the words “All Scripture” in 2 Timothy 3:16. The Apostle Paul is saying that all the Old Testament, which includes God’s Law, is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training… for every good work.”
Do you think the Old Testament and God’s moral Law is not for us today? Well, add up how many total times the New Testament referred to God’s Law (“Scriptures… Commandment/s… God’s Law”) - 572 times! Think again?
* God’s Law - Makes Nations More Civil
God’s moral Law - the Ten Commandments, Statues, & Judgments - were not written just for Israel or for Christians but to also be the civil law for all nation-states, to restrain the ungodly and sinful people, as the Apostle Paul declared (1 Tim. 1:8-9):
“We know that the Law is good when used correctly. For the Law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful.”
The “ungodly and sinful” would certainly apply to every nation and therefore also does God’s Law. Historically, from the time of Christ until most of the 19th century, most of Christendom understood their civil mandate to have God’s Law be the civil law of their nation. That’s why in former times in Europe and even America it was Christians and Christian leaders who fomented the revolutions to establish Christian rulers and God’s Law in ruling their city-states or nation-states.
The European Reformation was a result of this understanding. The Western civilization was a result of this understanding… unlike what is taught today. The Pilgrims that established the Christian city-state in Plymouth were all from the same church. Their governor wrote that they came to set up “a new Israel.”
The Puritans were all devout Believers that established all the New England Christian city-state colonies. Moreover, the American Revolution would have never happened had not the Christians and their pastors rose up to revolt against their ruling British government.
The 1776 American Revolution started from pastor Jonas Clarke and his minutemen from his First Parish Church in Lexington. Theirs was the first shot of the revolution - “the shot that was heard around the world!” Clarke’s influential role in the events of April 19, 1775, included:
* Political and Spiritual Leadership: Clarke was a fervent advocate for independence who used his pulpit to teach that “resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.” He authored numerous town responses to British policies, such as the Stamp Act, and helped prepare the community for armed conflict.
* Hosting Patriot Leaders: On the night of April 18, 1775, Clarke hosted John Hancock and Samuel Adams at his parsonage. It was here that Paul Revere arrived around midnight to warn them of the approaching British troops.
* Training the Militia: When asked if his people would fight, Clarke famously replied, “I have trained them for this very hour!” Nearly every member of the Lexington militia, including Captain John Parker, head of the minutemen, was a member of Clarke’s congregation.
* Clarke’s Extended Influence: Clarke later represented Lexington at the convention to draft the Massachusetts Constitution.
Colonial civil law throughout America was specifically referenced chapter and verse of God’s Law, NOT just “based” on God’s Law. They used the Bible in all their courts to judge all civil matters.
In early Massachusetts, it was against the law to have an attorney represent a plaintiff or a defendant. Every plaintiff and defendant had to know the Bible to represent themselves before a judge, who was usually an elder from the local church. They could only argue their civil case from God’s Law. In early America, most households had no more than one book, and it was the Bible. It was their guide for their spiritual life as well as their social life and their civil law.
In most American colonies their tax law was from God’s Law – tithe and head tax. When James Madison voted to eliminate the tithe tax, which financed the preachers, George Washington wrote Madison chiding him for voting against the tithe. Washington’s letter is in the Library of Congress today.
Thomas Jefferson and his Congress authorized federal money to buy Bibles for missionaries to give to the Indians and to build churches in the western territories. During the American Revolutionary War, one of the prominent flags that the minute men carried into battle read: “No King but Jesus!”
Even atheist, Thomas Paine, wrote his famous Common Sense using Scripture to fully justify the Revolution. Pastors confirmed the same. Pastors today would do well to read it. The Christians revolted against an onerous government only because they understood and believed the Bible.
Yet, today some Christians say that we should not even impose God’s moral Law on non-Christians. But that’s exactly who the Apostle Paul said God’s Law is for, “when used correctly” (1 Tim. 1:8-11). And early American Christians knew this well.
After the Bible, Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary was the most popular book in early American households. In Henry’s Commentary, on Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, Henry wrote that Christians are commanded to “Christianize the nations!” That was their civil mandate.
The Apostle Paul even addressed capital punishment for civil crimes (Rom. 1:26-32 TLB):
“Women turned against God’s natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sex relationships with women, burned with lust for each other, men doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved… Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness… murder… haters of God… They were fully aware of God’s death penalty for these crimes, yet they went right ahead and did them anyway and encouraged others to do them, too.”
More than once in the New Testament Jesus endorsed capital punishment (Mat. 15:3-4; Mark 7:10) quoting God’s Law (Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9). And the only reason Jesus did not condemn the accused woman of adultery was that the Law required “two or more witnesses” for a capital offence (John 8:10):
“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’
‘No, Lord,’ she said.
And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’”
There are many verses in the New Testament reaffirming that God’s Law should be the Civil Law for nations today. God’s Mosaic Law was NEVER intended only for the nation of Israel:
* How biblically foolish to assume God only wanted one nation to obey His Law?
* All God’s prophets, without exception, declared God’s Law and Judgments to apply to other nations besides Israel.
* Throughout the Old Testament God honored His people when they ruled Gentile nations. Here are a few examples:
* Joseph ruled over the Egyptian Empire.
* Daniel ruled over more than one Babylonian Empire.
* Esther was queen over the Persian Empire.
* Mordecai was Prime Minister over the Persian Empire.
ALL God’s prophets addressed all nations besides Israel when they did not honor the Lord, His people or His Law. All nations are to follow God and His Law - NOT JUST ISRAEL:
* Isaiah was prophesying to over 13 different nations and 11 times to "all nations” (Isa. 13-24).
* Jeremiah was prophesying to over 12 nations and 7 times to all “all nations” (Jer. 46-50).
* Ezekiel was prophesying to over 7 nations and once in reference to “all nations” (Eze. 25-29).
* Amos was prophesying to over 9 nations and once in reference to “all nations” (Amos 1-2).
* Obadiah was prophesying to more than one other nation (Obad. 1:1ff).
* Jonah was prophesying to more than one other nation (Jonah 1:1ff).
* Nahum was prophesying to more than one other nation (Nah. 1:1ff).
* Habakkuk was prophesying regarding all nations (Hab. 1:5ff).
* Zephaniah was prophesying regarding all nations (Zep. 2:1ff).
* David was prophesying regarding all nations over 100 times in Psalms.
Do we need to say more? God’s prophets made clear that His Law is FOR ALL NATIONS and ALL GENERATIONS! Moreover, Scripture time and again addresses Jesus’ second coming reign where He will rule with His Law over all nations, absolutely confirming that Jesus wants every nation to obey God’s Law.
Finally, think about this part of the prayer that Jesus tells us to pray (Matt. 6:10):
“Our Father who art in heaven… Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”
With this prayer, it’s obvious that it’s NOT God’s will for Satan’s non-Christians to rule any city-state or nation-state “on earth” today! God ONLY allowed unrighteous rulers to rule over a nation when He punished Israel or other cities or nations for NOT honoring the Lord and His Law.
Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air.” But a king is over a prince. And Jesus is the “KING of kings.” And Jesus only allows an oppressive ruler to reign over a nation to reap what it sows in rejecting the Lord and His Law. And there is NOT ONE biblical exception to this reality.
Here are just a few examples why every city and nation in the world should keep God’s Law and His righteousness:
(Gen. 18:26): “And the Lord replied, ‘If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.’”
(Ps. 2:10-12): “Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal Son!”
(Ps. 9: 17): “The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.”
(Ps. 33: 12): “What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord.”
(Ps 59:5): “Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors.”
(Ps. 66:7): “For by His great power He rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance.”
(Ps. 79:6): “Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge You — on kingdoms that do not call upon Your Name.”
(Ps. 82:8): “Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to You.”
(Ps. 119:46): “I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.”
(Isa. 34:1): “Come here and listen, O nations of the earth. Let the world and everything in it hear My words.”
(Isa. 51:4-6): “Listen to Me, My people. Hear Me, Israel, for My Law will be proclaimed, and My justice will become a light to the nations.”
(Jer. 10:7): “Who would not fear you, O KING of nations? That title belongs to You alone!”
(Jer. 10:23-25): “Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge You – on the peoples that do not call upon Your Name.”
(Jer. 12:17): “Any nation that refuses to obey Me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
(Jer. 18:7-10): “If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey Me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”
Do you see God’s mandate for ALL nations - for God’s people to rule on behalf of the Lord with His righteous Law. Like the “strangers” living in Israel who were law-abiding, even so non-Christians living in a Christian city or nation under God’s Law would also be greatly blessed:
(1 John 5:3): “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are NOT BURDENSOME!”
(Lev. 25:10 NIV): “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout the land to ALL its inhabitants.”
(Ps. 19:7-11): “The Law of the Lord is PERFECT… bringing JOY to the heart… more desirable than GOLD… sweeter than HONEY… a GREAT REWARD for those who obey it.”
(Ps. 119:44-45 NIV): “I will always obey Your Law, forever and ever. I will walk about in FREEDOM.”
(Lev. 18:5): “If you obey My Law and regulations, you will find LIFE through them.”
(Deut. 30:10): “Today I have given you the choice between LIFE and death, between BLESSINGS and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose LIFE, that you and your descendants might LIVE!”
(Deut. 30:15): “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between PROSPERITY and disaster, between LIFE and death.”
(Deut. 32:47): “These instructions are not mere words – they are your LIFE! By obeying them you will enjoy a LONG LIFE.”
(Rom. 13:10): “Love does no wrong to others, so LOVE fulfills the requirements of God’s Law.”
(Gal. 5:14): “For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: ‘LOVE.’”
(James 1:25): “But if you look carefully into the PERFECT Law that sets you FREE, and if you do what it says… then God will bless you for doing it.”
(James 2:8): “Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the ROYAL LAW as found in the Scripture [Old Testament].”
(James 2:12): “So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the Law that sets you FREE.”
(James 4:11): “Your job is to OBEY THE LAW, not to judge whether it applies to you.”
Both Old and New Testaments state that God’s Law gives freedom and is eternal. Also, Christians often wrongly think of the “Old Testament” as the “Old Law.” However, “Old Testament” means “Old Covenant” or “Old Agreement” versus the “New Testament” or “New Agreement. It does not mean “Old Law” versus some “New Law”.
God’s Law is not old, oppressive or outdated. It is freeing and eternal as both Old and New Testament declares. It is for today and forever. As Jesus said, “until heaven and earth disappear” (Mat. 5:18).
God’s Ten Commandments, Statutes and Judgments are God’s only Law, and that Law Jesus is going to make every nation obey when He returns.
Just as God is perfect and eternal so also is God’s Law - perfect and eternal. God’s Law is the full reflection of God’s character, as was manifested in the life of Jesus fulfilling God’s Law.
In summary: As God instituted marriage in the Old Testament, and we still have marriage today, even so God instituted His Law in the Old Testament, and we still have His Law today - with its three purposes:
* To lead people to Christ.
* To lead Christians to be more like Christ.
* To lead cities and nation to be more civil for the glory of Christ.
(Ps. 19:9): “The Law of the Lord is perfect!”
(Ps. 119:46): “I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.”
(Isa. 42:21): “It pleased the Lord for the sake of His righteousness to make His Law great and glorious!”
(Rom. 3:31 TLB): “Well then, if we are saved by faith, does this mean that we no longer need obey God’s laws? Just the opposite! In fact, only when we trust Jesus can we truly obey Him.”
(James 1:25, 2:8, 4:11): “Look carefully into the Perfect Law that sets you free… it is good when you obey the Royal Law as found in the Scriptures… But your job is to obey the Law, not to judge whether it applies to you!”
God’s Civil Mandate for today: Christians pray and work for King Jesus to rule cities and nations with His people and His Law.
NOTE: Tuesday (1/20/2026) Jim McCotter LIVE on Substack at 5:00 PM EST - I will have spiritual leaders from California and Honduras discussing this Post along with today’s hottest News. Viewers may also participate.
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