The Law Fulfilled
So Perfectly That It Broke Itself
For generations, the Mosaic Law stood as an unyielding standard, demanding absolute obedience and exposing human shortcomings. Given to Moses, inscribed on stone tablets, and enforced with unwavering commands, the Law set forth a path of righteousness that no one could perfectly follow. Its purpose was not to save but to reveal humanity’s need for a Savior. When Jesus Christ entered the scene, He didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it in such a comprehensive manner that its role was transformed, rendering it obsolete for those who are in Him.
Jesus Didn’t Abolish the Law—He Fulfilled It
In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus declares:
“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.”
To “fulfill” the Law means to complete its purpose and bring it to its intended goal. The Law required perfection in holiness and justice—standards that humanity continually failed to meet. The history of Israel is a testament to this struggle: repeated failures, sacrifices, and a cycle that highlighted the insufficiency of human effort to attain righteousness.
Jesus, however, lived a life of perfect obedience. He upheld every commandment, fulfilled every prophecy, and met every demand of justice. In His sacrificial death, He didn’t just comply with the Law; He satisfied its requirements fully, offering Himself as the ultimate atonement for sin. As stated in Hebrews 10:12:
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”
The Law Was a Shadow—Jesus Is the Substance
The Apostle Paul explains in Colossians 2:16-17:
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
The rituals and ordinances of the Law were mere shadows, foreshadowing the reality found in Christ. Once Jesus fulfilled these types and symbols, the shadows lost their significance. The ceremonial aspects of the Law, such as dietary restrictions and sacrificial systems, pointed toward Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and were set aside in Him.
A Law So Perfectly Fulfilled That It Broke Itself
The fulfillment of the Law in Christ is so complete that it effectively nullified its authority over believers. Romans 10:4 proclaims:
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
This “end” signifies that Christ brought the Law’s role in attaining righteousness to its conclusion. The Law’s purpose was to lead us to Christ, showing us our need for His redemptive work. With His coming and fulfillment of the Law, its function as a means to righteousness has been rendered obsolete.
We Don’t Live Under What Has Been Fulfilled
Believers are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Mosaic Law. Paul emphasizes this in Romans 7:6:
“But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”
Our relationship with God is now defined by the new covenant, established through Jesus’ blood. This covenant is characterized by grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in a manner pleasing to God—not by adhering to an external set of rules, but through a transformed heart.
The New Covenant Is Not Law-Based—It’s Identity-Based
Under the new covenant, righteousness is a matter of identity rather than adherence to the Law. The Greek term ἀγαπητός (agapētos), translated as “beloved,” signifies one who is dearly loved or cherished. This term emphasizes the deep, unconditional love that God has for His children. In Romans 9:25, God declares:
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved’ (agapētos).”
As ἀγαπητοί (agapētoi), or beloved ones, our actions flow from our transformed nature. The Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit of righteousness, enabling us to live out the moral imperatives that reflect God’s character. This internal transformation surpasses the external compliance that the Law demanded.
So Now What?
With the Law fulfilled and our righteousness secured in Christ, we are called to live in the freedom of grace. This freedom doesn’t lead to lawlessness but to a life led by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 encourages:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Walking by the Spirit involves daily reliance on His guidance, allowing Him to shape our desires and actions. As we do so, we naturally fulfill the righteous requirements that the Law pointed toward, not out of obligation, but out of our new identity in Christ.
In summary, Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of the Law has transformed its role from a binding contract to a completed covenant. Believers are now called to live by the Spirit, embracing the righteousness imparted to us through faith in Christ. This is the essence of the new covenant—a relationship with God based on grace, identity, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
If you feel led to partner with what God is doing through this ministry, we invite you to sow into this work as the Spirit leads. Your generosity helps us continue to share His love and truth with others. There is no obligation only an opportunity to join in what God is building. Thank you for considering being a part of this journey.
Member discussion