From Genesis to the Gospels, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the law was never the end goal. It was a shadow. A mirror. A tutor. But it was never the cure.
In this post, we’ll walk through Scripture to unpack why believers are no longer under the law, and why that’s actually good news. We’ll explore the purpose of the law, its limitations, and how it pointed to Jesus all along.
1. The Law Begins in the Wilderness, But the Promise Begins in Eden
The Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments and the wider body of ceremonial, moral, and civil laws, was given in the wilderness. But God’s promise of redemption started in Eden.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
This first prophecy points to Christ, not the law. Long before Mount Sinai, God already had a Savior in view.
2. The Law as a Mirror
The apostle Paul puts it clearly:
“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20)
The law reveals sin. Like a mirror, it shows the dirt, but it cannot clean it.
“I would not have known sin except through the law.” (Romans 7:7)
The law shows us what’s wrong, but it offers no power to make it right.
3. The Law Was a Shadow of What Was to Come
“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices… make those who approach perfect.” (Hebrews 10:1)
Shadows are not evil. They are incomplete. They outline something real, but they are not the real thing. The sacrifices, the ceremonies, the priesthood, all pointed to Jesus.
“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)
4. The Law Was a Tutor
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:24-25)
Tutors are helpful, but temporary. They prepare us for the real lesson. Once Jesus came, the lesson became clear: righteousness is by faith.
5. Jesus Fulfilled the Law
Jesus did not discard the law. He fulfilled it. He was the only one who ever kept it perfectly.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)
He fulfilled the moral law in His sinless life. He fulfilled the ceremonial law in His sacrificial death. He fulfilled the prophetic law by being the Messiah.
But what does it really mean to “fulfill” the law?
Let’s use a simple, modern illustration. Think of how an Amazon Fulfillment Center works. When you place an order, it’s marked as “open” in the system. The product exists, but the job isn’t finished yet. That order has to be picked, packed, and shipped. Once that happens, the status changes from “open” to “fulfilled.” It’s done. Completed. Finished.
In the same way, the law was like an open order. It was good, it served a purpose, but it was never finished. Jesus came, picked up the requirements of the law, carried them perfectly, packed them into His righteous life, and shipped them through the cross and resurrection. The law’s demands have now been fulfilled. Completed in Christ.
6. Believers Are Not Under the Law
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13)
Trying to live by the law today is like going back to training wheels after learning to ride. It may feel familiar, but it is no longer necessary, and it actually slows you down.
7. The New Covenant Is Better
“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.” (Hebrews 8:7)
The New Covenant in Christ is not a patch on the old. It is a whole new garment. Built on better promises. Anchored in grace.
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
Conclusion: Don’t Live in the Shadows
The law was not the problem. Sin was. The law exposed it. Jesus erased it.
If you’re in Christ, don’t go back to the mirror to try to fix what only grace can redeem. Live in the light. Embrace the substance. Follow the Savior, not the shadow.
