Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments. Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way?

QUESTION:

Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments but don't say what they are (other than loving God and neighbor)? Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way?

ANSWER:

This is an excellent question and one that many people might ask. The key to answering this question is knowing what the law is and what is commanded of us to obey. So, let me start with the following.

Paul clearly tells us that we (as grace believers) are not under the law,

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What does Paul mean by this? What law is he referring to?

Paul is not referring to the 10 commandments. These are the basic moral laws that apply to all humanity. These are the values written in our conscience. It does not matter what nation or language you are from; your conscience will testify to these actions. You will know it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, etc. Thus, Paul is not referring to these.

The laws that Paul tells us we are NOT under, are the laws connected to the Levitical priesthood of Israel. It is these laws that make up the majority of the Mosaic law for Israel. The Levitical priesthood was responsible for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, in Jerusalem. They were also responsible for teaching the Law to the people and for administering justice. Much of the law under this priesthood included laws regarding sacrifices, offerings, purification regarding washings and diets, circumcision, tithing, harvests and first fruits, observance of feasts and holy days, observances of special ordinances, rituals and rites.

It is this set of laws that Paul says we are not under today. Sadly, many of these laws have been adopted by the denominational churches of today as they practice dress codes, water baptism, sacraments and ordinances, tithes, and observances. As with the pharisees in Jesus' day, much of this eventually becomes traditions and rituals that degrade the liberty we have in Christ and by the Spirit. Paul warns as of the following,

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit [falseness, trickery], (1) according to the tradition of men [Tradition = something handed down], (2) according to the basic principles of the world**, and not according to Christ.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

So, to come back to your question, Paul encourages believers who are weak in faith to follow the laws as in these example,

Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Rom 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Rom 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Just like children who are under the laws of their parents, its the babes in Christ that who would find themselves under the law. This is good and right, as the law is holy, but Paul tells us that we are expected to grow up in Christ. As the written Word of God starts to form within our heart and we learn obedience to its propmtings in us, we start to walk a more mature walk in the Spirit and by faith. This is the sanctification that we grow into as we become more spiritual in our faith. It is then that Paul reminds us,

1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, …

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

…and,

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. … 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (See also, 1Cor 6:12; 1Cor 10:23)

As grace believers, we might start under some laws, but as we mature in the Word and faith, we are to experience more and more of the liberty of the Spirit, living by our own judgements under supervision of the Word within us. It is here that we begin to understand the will and the ways of our Heavenly Father and can rightly discern His desires, and prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Trust this provides some clarity. 🙌