A Simple, Biblical Explanation of the Law
When people hear the word “law,” they often think of rules, restrictions, or religious obligations.
But in the Bible, God’s commands are much more than a list of rules.
The Law is God’s perfect standard of righteousness, revealing His character and showing humanity our need for Him.
Psalm 19:7 — “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul…”
God’s standard reflects:
- His holiness
- His justice
- His moral will
What God commands teaches us not only how we should live but also something about who God is.
What Does the Bible Teach About God’s Law?
Scripture presents several important truths about God’s righteous standard.
1. It Reveals God’s Character
God’s commands are not arbitrary. They flow from His holy nature.
Leviticus 19:2 — “Be ye holy; for I the Lord your God am holy.”
God commands holiness because He is holy. He commands truth because He is true. He commands justice because He is just.
His instructions therefore reveal something about His character.
2. It Shows Us What Sin Is
Human beings naturally tend to judge themselves by comparing their behavior with that of other people. Scripture gives us a different standard.
Romans 3:20 — “By the law is the knowledge of sin.”
God’s commands act like a mirror. A mirror can reveal dirt on your face, but it cannot wash your face.
In the same way, God’s standard exposes our sin but cannot cleanse us from it.
It shows us where we have fallen short.
3. God Requires Perfect Obedience
We sometimes imagine that being reasonably good is enough.
Scripture teaches otherwise.
James 2:10 — “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
God’s standard is perfect righteousness.
That presents every human being with a serious problem. None of us has perfectly obeyed God.
As Romans 3:23 declares:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
This is why understanding God’s standard helps us understand the seriousness of sin.
4. Good Works Cannot Save Us
Obeying commandments cannot erase the sins we have already committed.
Galatians 2:16 — “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
This is one of the most important distinctions in Scripture.
God’s commands can tell us what righteousness looks like, but they cannot make a sinner righteous.
They can expose the problem, but they cannot provide the cure.
We need something more.
We need a Savior.
5. God’s Standard Points Us to Christ
This brings us directly to the Gospel.
Galatians 3:24 — “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…”
Once we recognize God’s perfect standard and honestly examine ourselves, we discover that we cannot meet it.
That realization should drive us to Jesus Christ.
He did what we could never do.
He lived the perfectly righteous life that we have failed to live.
Why We Need the Gospel
Here is where the message comes together.
God’s righteous standard shows us:
- His holiness
- Our sin
- Our failure
- Our need for a Savior
The Gospel reveals:
- God’s grace
- Christ’s perfect obedience
- His sacrifice for sin
- Salvation through faith
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Christ perfectly obeyed the Father.
Then He went to the cross and bore the judgment that sinners deserve.
Romans 8:3–4 explains that what sinful humanity could not accomplish, God accomplished through His Son.
What Did Jesus Accomplish?
Jesus:
- Fulfilled God’s righteous requirements
- Lived without sin
- Bore the penalty for our sin
- Died in our place
- Rose from the dead
Because of Christ, those who trust Him are:
- No longer under condemnation
- Justified by faith
- Reconciled to God
- Called to live by grace
Salvation does not come from our ability to keep enough commandments.
It comes through Jesus Christ.
Does Grace Mean God’s Commands No Longer Matter?
No.
Christians do not obey God in order to earn salvation. We seek to obey Him because we have been saved by grace.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
There is an enormous difference between trying to obey God to become His child and obeying God because you are His child.
One attempts to earn acceptance.
The other flows from love and gratitude.
Biblical obedience is therefore not an attempt to purchase salvation. It is a response to the grace we have already received through Christ.
From Condemnation to Grace
God’s law is not our enemy.
It serves an important purpose, reveals God’s holiness, exposes our sin, and demonstrates our inability to make ourselves righteous.
And ultimately, it points us toward Jesus Christ.
The Law shows us our need.
The Gospel provides the answer.
When we understand the seriousness of God’s standard, we begin to understand the wonder of His grace.
We stop asking, “How can I be good enough?”
Instead, we ask, “Who can save me?”
The Gospel answers:
Jesus Christ can.
What About You?
Have you ever tried to earn God’s acceptance by being good enough?
When did you realize that you could never perfectly meet God’s standard on your own?
The purpose of the Law is not to leave us without hope. It shows us why we desperately need the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Dr. Alan Holden has served in pastoral ministry for more than 35 years, preaching and teaching the Bible in churches across the United States. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through What’s It Mean?, he seeks to help readers understand the meaning of Scripture and grow in their walk with Christ. He is currently the pastor of Lake Saunders Baptist Church in Tavares, FL.