"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18
This is not new territory, but is still misunderstood by vast numbers of Christians.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-19 are clear that He did not come to destroy (abolish, set aside, or nullify) the Law. Yet Paul wrote in several places (in Romans and Galatians) that Christians are not under the Law because we are under grace. Which is true? Both! How are we to understand that?
Because of what Jesus said in Matthew 5, clearly the Law is still in effect.
Because of what Paul wrote, there must at least be some aspect of the Law that is no longer in effect for Christians. What aspect of the Law is no longer in effect for believers? The condemnation of the Law (Romans 8:1). Why? Because on the cross Jesus took our condemnation for us. Freedom from the condemnation of the Law is applied only to believers after trusting in Christ.
The condemnation of the Law is still in effect for those who do not trust in Christ—as it was for believers before we believed. In fact, according to Galatians 3:19-25, it is the Law that condemns us for our sins, so that if/when we understand that, we will flee to Christ for forgiveness.
But even in the lives of believers, for whom the condemnation of the law has been extinguished, the Law still stands instructing us regarding right and wrong, and how to follow Christ as those who have been given new hearts—who want to obey God’s Law.
Those who do not trust in Christ are under the condemnation of God’s Law unless they believe.
Those who do trust in Christ are no longer under the condemnation of the Law, but we are under obligation to follow God’s law about how to live as children of God.
Wait! Aren’t there some aspects of God’s law that Christians are not under obligation to follow? Yes! Glad you asked! We’ll sort that out next time…