The ‘ten commandments’ or the law that was written on stone by God, is known as the ministration of condemnation and death (2 Cor 3:7, 9). This is the letter that kills, compared to the Spirit that gives life (2 Cor 3:6) and freedom (2 Cor 3:17). We are now saved by what we believe and not what we do (Eph 2:6). We are the righteousness of God (Rom 4:5, 5:19), by our faith in Jesus (Rom 3:21, 22). We are justified and glorified (Rom 8:30). We are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

Jesus came to fulfill the law that we could not accomplish ourselves (Matt 5:17). For a short time, commandments were given to the nation of Israel that required two parts of performance to make a covenant (Ex 20), their part and God’s part. These rules put many to death. This law was made for the lawless, disobedient, the ungodly, for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers, whoremongers and liars (1 Tim 1:9, 10), which pretty much described all but a few people who came out of Egypt. They walked in their own desires (Ex 32:7, 8). They walked in their own lusts (Num 11:4). They walked by sight and not by faith.

We now a have new ‘single performance’ covenant, making the old one obsolete (Heb 8:13). This was the covenant that would replace a time when God led Moses by the hand to a time where God leads all people (Heb 8:8-10). Because Christ died (once and for all) for our sins (Heb 9:28), past present and future (Heb 8:12), he took the punishment and death sentence for us (Col 2:13, 14) and became the end of the law (Rom 10:4).

Now, we are under grace (Rom 6:14), dead to the law (Rom 7:4) and are not to serve under the oldness of the letter (Rom 7:6). Grace reveals that God’s desire has always been to dwell in us (John 14:23), teach us about His life giving Word (John 16:13) and reveal His glory to others; never again resulting in picking up rocks and throwing them at each other (John 8:5) from being under a curse (Gal 3:10, John 3:17).

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of this law (Gal 3:13). Now that God has made us holy (1 Pet 1:16) with a perfect (Matt 5:48) born again spirit that is sealed unto the day of redemption (Eph 4:30), we should continue to receive the Word to renewing our minds (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23, 5:26). There may be consequences for sin in this life (Heb 10:38, 39), especially for those who won’t see God if we don’t have His holiness on display for others (1 Cor 15:34, Heb 12:14). Even if people (Rom 8:33, 34), the devil (Rev 12:10) or our own heart (1 John 3:20) condemn us,
God is greater than our heart and the Lord is forever interceding for us (Rom 8:34).

There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus and we are free from the law (Rom 8:1, 2). Knowing that God is not out to punish us if (Gal 6:15) we do wrong (John 3:17), gives us confidence in prayer and assurance of salvation. We live for Him in victory (1 John 4:4, 5:4), permanently seated in heavenly places with Him (Eph 2:6).