What happens to the Ten Commandments when love is operating in a believer?

When love is operating in a believer, the Ten Commandments automatically fall away as something that must be constantly drilled or taught. Love becomes the motivating power, and the believer automatically fulfills the Law. Love works no ill to a neighbor, so prohibitions against stealing, false witness, coveting, adultery, and killing are fulfilled.

Les explains that Paul writes to believers in everyday practicality: when we love one another under grace, we have fulfilled the law. He says we do not have to have temple worship, a priesthood, animal sacrifices, or the Ten Commandments constantly drilled into us, because once we step under the light of grace and the Holy Spirit empowers us, love becomes the whole motivating power behind everything we do. Then we automatically fulfill the Law. Les illustrates that you cannot steal from someone you love, cannot bear false witness or gossip about someone you love, and cannot covet what a loved one owns. Going through the whole gamut of the Ten Commandments, when love is operating they all automatically fall away and no longer have to be taught and drilled. He adds that if Christian love is operating, you will not commit adultery, and you certainly will not kill somebody you love. Love works no ill to his neighbor, so love is the fulfilling of the Law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

See the rest

Do the Ten Commandments still have a role in the Christian life?

Yes. The Ten Commandments retain a valid moral role in Christian experience, though not as a binding legal or religious code. Christ nailed the handwriting of ordinances, including the Ten, to His cross, ending the Law’s binding power. Believers still live under the Ten’s moral code; it remains valid but not religious dogma.