“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
— Matthew 5:17
Many Christians today have been taught that when Jesus fulfilled the law, He essentially “retired” it — as if the Old Covenant were outdated and irrelevant. But what if that belief is robbing us of something holy… something protective… something that connects us more deeply with the heart of God?
Let’s look at what Jesus really meant — and why understanding it could change how we live, eat, worship, and love God more fully.
The Law Was Never the Problem — Sin Was
God’s law, or Torah, means “instruction,” not “legalism.”
It was His loving guide for health, justice, holiness, and relationship.
When Jesus said He came to “fulfill” the law, He wasn’t saying it was wrong — He was demonstrating how to live it out with purity and purpose. He lived in perfect obedience because we couldn’t. But that doesn’t mean we discard the law. If we did, we’d be discarding:
- The 10 Commandments
- The Sabbath
- Instructions for clean living (including food that prevents disease)
- Laws on how to treat others, finances, rest, and community
Are we really ready to say those things no longer matter?
The New Covenant Didn't Erase the Law — It Moved It
“I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts.”
— Jeremiah 31:33
Jesus didn’t come to cancel God’s instructions — He came to move them from stone to soul.
Under the Old Covenant, obedience was written on tablets.
Under the New Covenant, it’s written on our hearts — by the Holy Spirit.
We obey not to be saved, but because we are saved.
We walk in God’s ways not to earn favor, but because we’ve tasted His goodness — and we want more.
Obedience Is Protection, Not Punishment
Many of God’s original instructions — especially the dietary laws — were not random or religious burdens. They were designed to protect our bodies from disease, inflammation, and early death.
Science is only now catching up to what God warned His people about long ago.
- Shellfish and pork are among the most toxic, pathogen-holding meats.
- Moldy grains, unclean fats, and unfiltered water are still silent killers.
- Rest cycles (like the Sabbath) are biologically essential.
So when we ignore God’s instructions, we don’t just disobey — we suffer natural consequences. These aren’t punishments — they’re results of living outside His design.
Grace Doesn't Cancel Responsibility
“Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not!”
— Romans 6:1-2
Grace saves us — but obedience shapes us.
God’s love is unconditional, but His blessings often flow through alignment.
Think of it like parenting:
- A child is still your child whether obedient or not.
- But when they trust you, follow your wisdom, and stay close — the relationship is richer, safer, and full of reward.
This is how it is with God.
Obedience Is the Soil for Abundant Life
Throwing out the Old Covenant would mean tossing out the 10 Commandments — the very foundations of moral law. But even more than that, it would mean walking away from:
- Health instructions built to protect our bodies
- Justice laws meant to guard the poor and oppressed
- Sabbath rest meant to restore our rhythm and reconnect with God
- Feasts and appointed times that point us directly to Jesus
Jesus fulfilled these things — but not so we could ignore them.
He fulfilled them so we could finally live them with the right heart.
Final Thoughts: The Way Forward
If you’ve been taught that God’s law is irrelevant now, take this as a loving invitation to reconsider. Not out of guilt or legalism — but out of love.
Because the more we love Him, the more we’ll want to walk in His ways.
And the more we obey, the more we’ll find peace, health, and joy on the path He already paved.
Jesus didn’t die so we could live however we want.
He died so we could be free to walk in truth, holiness, and wholeness.
And that’s a covenant worth living for.
