Question:  Dear Greg,

            Did Jesus fulfill the law by keeping the Ten Commandments perfectly?  And does that mean we are no longer judged by the Ten Commandments?

            Thanks,

            Joe

Answer:  Dear Joe,

            Jesus fulfilled the law by keeping the entire old covenant perfectly.  The Ten Commandments are but a small part of the old covenant.  Christians are not judged by, or required to observe the Ten Commandments as they are formulated and stated within the Ten Commandments.  However, many of the principles in the Ten Commandments are restated, transformed or enlarged within the new covenant as we read within the New Testament.  For example, the 7^th day Sabbath is no longer required, but replaced by the Lord of the Sabbath who is our rest.  Another example—the Ten Commandments forbid bearing false witness.  But the New Testament goes far beyond this specific act, speaking against those who gossip, who “bite and devour one another”, etc.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht