The Ten Commandments and the Salvation of Jesus
Matthew BellShare
The Ten Commandments are foundational laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). They serve as a moral guide for humanity, revealing God’s standard of holiness and righteousness. However, as Christians, we understand that Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law and provide us with salvation through His grace.
In this blog, we will explore the Ten Commandments, their purpose, and how Jesus has saved us from the law through His sacrifice on the cross.
What Are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17 and consist of the following:
- You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)
- You shall not make for yourself an idol. (Exodus 20:4-6)
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
- Honor your father and your mother. (Exodus 20:12)
- You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
- You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
- You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
- You shall not covet. (Exodus 20:17)
These commandments were given to the Israelites as God’s standard for righteousness, showing them how to live in obedience to Him.
The Purpose of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments were not given to save people but to reveal sin and point us to our need for a Savior. The law is like a mirror—it shows us our shortcomings but cannot fix them.
Key Verse:
"Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, for the law merely brings awareness of sin." – Romans 3:20
The commandments prove that no one can achieve righteousness on their own, which is why we need Jesus.
Jesus Fulfilled the Law
When Jesus came to earth, He didn’t abolish the law but fulfilled it completely. He was the only one who lived a sinless life, meeting the requirements of the law on our behalf.
Key Verse:
"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." – Matthew 5:17
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what the law could never do—He made a way for us to be saved by grace, not by works.
We Are Saved by Grace, Not by the Law
While the law was given to show us God’s standard, it cannot save us. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Verse:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." – Ephesians 2:8-9
This means that we are not bound by the law for salvation. Instead, we are saved through faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
What Does This Mean for Christians Today?
Although we are saved by grace and not the law, the Ten Commandments still reflect God’s moral character and serve as a guide for righteous living. Jesus summarized the commandments into two greatest commandments:
Key Verse:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." – Matthew 22:37-40
By loving God and loving others, we naturally uphold the heart of the Ten Commandments without being under the law’s burden.
Conclusion
The Ten Commandments reveal our need for Jesus, and through His grace, we are no longer under the law’s condemnation. Instead of striving to be saved by works, we place our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, knowing that He has fulfilled the law for us.
As Christians, we follow God’s moral standards not out of obligation but out of love for Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we live righteously—not by our own strength but by God’s grace and guidance.