What Commandments are Christians Under?

by Michael Edwards 
07/19/25
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The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17), served as God’s moral framework for Israel. These laws—honoring God, keeping the Sabbath, and prohibiting sins like murder, theft, and adultery—reflected God’s holy character and guided His people toward righteousness. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, kept these commandments perfectly, fulfilling the law through His obedience and righteousness (Hebrews 4:15). His life demonstrated the standard of holiness the law demanded.

Yet, Jesus gave believers a new, transformative calling through only two essential commandments: to believe in Him as the Son of God and Savior, and to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves (John 6:29; Matthew 22:37-40). These commandments shift the focus from external rule-keeping to an internal posture of faith and love. Belief in Jesus is the foundation, as He said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). This faith, paired with love for God and others, fulfills the heart of God’s law.

Romans 13:8-10 illuminates this truth: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Love, rooted in faith in Christ, naturally accomplishes what the Ten Commandments aimed to achieve. When we believe in Jesus and love others, we refrain from harming them through actions like deceit or theft, thus embodying the law’s intent.

Jesus’ two commandments—belief in Him and love for God and others—reframe obedience as a response of the heart. While the Ten Commandments provided a moral code, faith and love empower us to live out God’s will dynamically. Through belief in Christ, we receive His grace, and through love, we reflect His character, fulfilling the law in a way that glorifies Him.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Gal 5:14 NASB

Reflection: How can your faith in Jesus and love for others shape your actions today?

More New Covenant studies HERE.