“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.”
Matthew 5:17
There is a false notion today that the Old Testament Law no longer applies. This mindset may seem freeing at first glance, but it is a dangerous lie that ultimately undermines the entire message of the Gospel.
King Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Several passages in Scripture reveal that the standard of God has not been lowered but, in Christ, has been brought to its ultimate, perfect fulfillment. This standard calls redeemed saints to a life of holiness that aligns with God’s absolute perfection—a calling that can only be met by the grace and righteousness provided through Christ, and the subsequent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Here are some key passages:
Matthew 5:17-20 – The Fulfillment of the Law
“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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This passage shows that Jesus did not lower the standard of the Law but fulfilled it entirely. The standard remains intact, even heightened, as believers are called to an internal righteousness that surpasses even the strictest legalistic observance.
Matthew 5:48 – Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Here, Jesus calls His followers to perfection, echoing God’s holiness. This command is unattainable by human effort alone, emphasizing that our righteousness must come from Christ’s perfect life and sacrifice.
James 2:10-11 – Held Accountable to the Whole Law
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”
This passage reveals that God’s standard is absolute; even a single transgression renders one guilty of violating the whole law. This is a reminder that under Christ, sin is not taken lightly but is measured by God’s perfect standard.
Hebrews 10:26-27 – Consequences of Knowing the Truth
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.”
While God showed forbearance before Christ (Romans 3:25), this passage underscores the accountability that comes with knowing the truth in Christ. Deliberate sin is judged severely because believers are called to the high standard of the knowledge of God’s grace.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – Called to Be Holy as God is Holy
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Peter reminds believers that God’s call to holiness remains as high as ever. We are called to reflect God’s holy character, a standard that is only possible through Christ’s sanctifying work within us.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Doing the Will of the Father
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Jesus emphasizes that mere outward acts or association with Him aren’t enough. God’s standard includes genuine obedience and submission to His will, showing that the heart, not just external behavior, is held to account.
Romans 3:23-24 – The Righteousness of God Through Faith in Christ
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
While this passage acknowledges universal sinfulness, it also points to the righteousness available through Christ. The standard of God’s glory (perfection) remains, but grace through faith in Jesus is what reconciles us to God’s holy standard.
Hebrews 12:14 – The Call to Holiness
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
This verse confirms that holiness remains a non-negotiable standard in Christ. Through Him, believers are empowered to live in the holiness required to stand in God’s presence.
1 John 3:4-6 – The Seriousness of Sin in Christ
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”
John’s letter warns believers that persistent sin contradicts life in Christ, revealing that our relationship with Him upholds, rather than negates, God’s moral standard.
Together, these passages show that Christ calls His followers to a standard of holiness that transcends external rule-keeping, aiming instead for a heart transformed by grace to reflect God’s perfection. They remind us that our righteousness comes only through Christ’s fulfillment of the Law and our ongoing sanctification by His Spirit.
When we discard God’s Law, we dismiss the concept of sin. Without sin, there’s no need for grace. And without grace, we deny our need for Jesus. This progression empties the Gospel of its power and turns preaching into mere affirmation—an ear-tickling exercise that keeps people in their rebellion against God. Let’s explore how this happens and why it’s crucial for the Church to uphold the truth of God’s Law.
No Law, No Sin
The Bible tells us that sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4). If we dismiss the Law, we’re left without a framework for understanding what sin truly is. Without a clear definition of right and wrong, our sense of conviction fades. We may begin to excuse behaviors that God has explicitly warned against, seeing them as outdated or irrelevant. But Scripture is clear: the Law reveals our sinfulness and points us to our need for salvation (Romans 7:7). To discard it is to lose a moral compass, becoming indifferent to actions that grieve God.
No Sin, No Need for Grace
Once we’ve erased or redefined the concept of sin, the need for grace fades. Grace is God’s unmerited favor toward us in our sinful state, and it’s what brings us from death to life through Jesus Christ. But if we no longer recognize sin as a problem, grace becomes an unnecessary solution. Why would we need forgiveness if there’s nothing to forgive? Grace then becomes just a word, not a life-altering reality. Dismissing the Law leads us to believe we can live as we please without consequences, cheapening the very grace that God extends to us.
No Grace, No Need for Jesus
Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But if we no longer see ourselves as sinners, we have little reason to embrace a Savior. Jesus’ work on the cross becomes optional, something we might acknowledge out of tradition but not out of personal conviction. Without the Law to convict us, we miss the whole purpose of Christ’s sacrifice, diminishing His role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The heart of the Gospel message fades, and we lose sight of our need for redemption.
No Jesus, No Power in the Gospel
The Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). It’s the message that Christ’s death and resurrection bring us life, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternity. But if we dismiss the Law, strip away the concept of sin, and lose the need for grace, we’re left with an empty Gospel—a message that lacks any transformative power. Preaching without these truths is no longer the Gospel but a counterfeit, leading people to believe that they are fine as they are and can approach God on their terms.
Ear-Tickling Affirmation and the Work of Satan
When preachers avoid the hard truths of sin, repentance, and grace, they preach hollow and powerless feel-good messages that appeal only to the flesh. Scripture warns against this, describing a time when people “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3). Satan uses this ear-tickling affirmation to keep people comfortable in their sin, ensuring they remain separated from God. True Gospel preaching calls for repentance, turning from sin, and seeking Christ’s forgiveness. When this is replaced by comforting affirmations, people are lulled into spiritual complacency, a state as deadly as outright rebellion.
Reclaiming the Power of the Gospel
If the Gospel’s power is to be displayed in our churches and communities, we must preach the whole counsel of God, including His Law. The Law exposes our sin, grace points us to Jesus, and Jesus restores us to God. This message transforms lives, brings freedom from sin, and reconciles us with our Creator. To reclaim the power of the Gospel, we must resist the temptation to soften or jettison the truth, and instead, proclaim God’s Word in its fullness.
Let us return to the faithful preaching of God’s perfect standard, humanity’s inherent sin, God’s unmerited grace, and salvation through Christ alone, so that the Gospel may be heralded as the power of God unto salvation for all who have faith in Jesus, The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the cosmos! Don’t build your house on anything other than Christ Jesus.
Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
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