With the Law of Moses set aside, believers now live under a new law—the Law of Christ. This law, mentioned explicitly in Galatians 6:2 as “the law of Christ” and in Romans 8:2 as “the law of the Spirit of life,” represents an entirely distinct system from the Mosaic Law. It consists of the commandments given by Christ and the Apostles, which apply specifically to New Testament believers. This distinction is critical to understanding the shift that has occurred with the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the New Covenant.

A simple comparison of the two laws demonstrates their fundamental differences. First, while some commandments remain the same—such as nine of the Ten Commandments—this does not mean the Law of Christ is merely a continuation of the Mosaic Law. Second, there are significant differences between the two. For example, the Sabbath commandment is no longer binding (Rom. 14:5; Col. 2:16), and dietary restrictions have been lifted (Mark 7:19; Rom. 14:20). Under the Mosaic system, strict regulations governed diet and holy days, but Christ declared all foods clean and removed the requirement of Sabbath observance.

Third, the Law of Christ intensifies specific commands found in the Law of Moses. Under the Mosaic Law, the standard for love was based on self-measurement: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). However, the Law of Christ raises the standard by using the Messiah as the model: “Love one another, even as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Christ’s love was demonstrated through self-sacrifice, setting a far higher expectation for believers. Rather than adhering to a legalistic code, Christians are now called to reflect the love of Christ in all they do.

Fourth, the motivation for obedience has changed. The Law of Moses, rooted in the conditional Mosaic Covenant, required obedience in order to receive blessings. By contrast, the Law of Christ is based on the unconditional New Covenant, meaning that believers are already blessed in Christ and are called to obey out of gratitude rather than obligation. The Apostle Paul reinforces this principle in Ephesians 1:3, stating that believers have already been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” The believer’s obedience is not a means to earn favor with God but rather a response to the grace already received.

One of the reasons for confusion between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ is the presence of similar commandments in both. Some conclude that this means parts of the Mosaic Law must still be in effect. However, this assumption is incorrect. Throughout Scripture, God has given different legal codes for different periods. For example, the Edenic, Adamic, Noahic, Mosaic, New, and Kingdom codes each contain certain overlapping commands, yet each represents a distinct system. Just because one code contains similar elements to a previous one does not mean the previous code remains in force. The same principle applies when comparing the Law of Christ with the Law of Moses. While they share similarities, they function as separate systems.

For example, nine of the Ten Commandments appear in the Law of Christ, but this does not mean the Mosaic Law is still binding. The key difference is the authority under which these commandments are now observed. The reason believers do not steal or murder is not because of the Mosaic Law but because these moral principles have been reaffirmed under the Law of Christ. Conversely, breaking a commandment today—such as stealing—is not a violation of the Mosaic Law but a violation of the Law of Christ.

The transition from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ is evident in several passages. Romans 6:14 declares,

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, ESV)

This statement confirms that the Mosaic system no longer binds believers. Similarly, Galatians 3:24–25 explains that the law served as a tutor leading to Christ, but now that faith has come, “we are no longer under a tutor.” The role of the Mosaic Law has ended, and believers are now governed by a new law—the Law of Christ.

The Law of Christ provides a higher moral standard and a new framework for obedience. It calls believers to live in love, reflecting Christ’s example, rather than adhering to a rigid legal system. Unlike the Mosaic Law, which functioned as a means of national governance for Israel, the Law of Christ is rooted in the transformation of the heart, emphasizing grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. As a result, while moral principles continue, they do so under a different covenant with different expectations.

In conclusion, the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative, and believers now live under the Law of Christ. While there are similarities between the two, they are distinct systems with different foundations, motivations, and applications. The Law of Christ is not a continuation of the Mosaic Law but a new standard established under the New Covenant. This shift marks a fundamental change in how believers relate to God—not through adherence to an old covenant legal system, but through a relationship with Christ, characterized by love, grace, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In Christian Love,