How Does the Law of Love Relate to the Ten Commandments?

Direct Answer

Yes, the Law of Love is the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments.

When love operates in the believer's life, it automatically fulfills the moral requirements of the Ten Commandments, such as not committing adultery, not killing, and not coveting. Les Feldick emphasizes that while believers are not under the Law as a binding system, the moral code is still valid and is now expressed through love.

Key Scriptures

Romans 13:10 — This verse directly states that love is the fulfilling of the law.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible declares that love is the fulfillment of the law. As it is written, 'Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law' (Romans 13:10). Jesus also summarized the law and the prophets with two commandments: to love God with all one's heart and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40).

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Law of Love and the Ten Commandments?

Les Feldick teaches that the Law of Love is the key to understanding the Ten Commandments in the life of a believer. He explains that while the Ten Commandments were written on stone and could only condemn, love is the internal motivator that causes believers to fulfill the commands naturally. He emphasizes that under grace, love is the dominant force, and when love operates, one does not break the commandments. Les also points out that Paul reiterates nine of the Ten Commandments, but not the Sabbath, showing that the moral code remains valid, but not as a religious dogma.

What Is the Difference Between Law and Grace?

Les teaches that the law was given on tables of stone and could only condemn; it had no power to help a person keep it (Clip 2). Under grace, love is the dominant force, and the believer adheres to the law from within, not by commandment (Clip 5). The cross ended the law's binding power, but its moral code remains valid (Clip 0).

Why Is Love the Fulfilling of the Law?

When love operates, it naturally prevents breaking the commandments: one doesn't commit adultery, kill, bear false witness, or covet (Clip 1). True love seeks the other person's highest good, so it cannot steal or harm (Clip 4). This is the essence of the law's moral code, expressed internally rather than externally.

How Does Paul Reiterate the Ten Commandments?

Paul repeats nine of the Ten Commandments in his epistles, such as 'children, obey your parents' (Ephesians 6:1-2), but he does not repeat the Sabbath (Clip 1). This shows that the moral code of the Ten Commandments is still valid for believers, but the ceremonial aspects, like the Sabbath, are not bound by law (Clip 5).

From the Teaching

The Cross Ended the Law's Binding Power

Les teaches that the cross ended the law's binding power, but the moral code of the Ten Commandments is still valid in the believer's experience.

Love Fulfills the Law

Les teaches that love is the fulfilling of the law, and when love operates, one naturally does not break the commandments.

The Law Could Only Condemn

Les explains that the law, written on stone, had no power to help people keep it, but only to condemn.

The Ten Commandments Explained: Why "Love" Isn't Mentioned

On these two commandments hang all the law and the promise. Now wait a minute. Was that last statement in the Ten Commandments? Did you read it in there back in Exodus 20, that thou shalt love thy neighbor? What has Jesus done? Well, you see, in what he said is the first to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, he's referring to the first five.

Love Prevents Sin

Les describes how true love seeks the other person's highest good, preventing stealing, adultery, and other sins.

Law vs. Grace

Les contrasts law and grace, showing that under grace the believer adheres to the law from a heart of love.

The Ten Commandments Explained: Why "Love" Isn't Mentioned

In fact, when you stop to think about it, whether they're pagans or whether they're absolute atheists or whatever, there is no society on earth or ever has been that can survive without at least having some sort of a fabric as the Ten Commandments lay out for the human race. So always keep that in mind, but the law in itself is given specifically to the nation of Israel.

Why the Law Can't Save You — Romans 7:5-14 Explained

Well, those of you who've been in my evening classes, you know. This is the one commandment out of the ten that has to always be committed first. Yeah, that makes you frown. I don't blame you. You cannot kill unless you covet. You cannot steal unless you covet. You cannot commit adultery unless you covet. You cannot destroy someone's character with false gossip unless you covet.

Bible Verses

Romans 13:10: Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

This verse explicitly states that love is the fulfillment of the law, making it central to the relationship.

Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus summarized the law with two love commands, showing that love is the foundation.

Ephesians 6:1-2: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Paul reiterates a commandment with promise, showing the moral code's continued relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Law of Love replace the Ten Commandments?

No, the Law of Love does not replace the Ten Commandments but fulfills them. When love operates, believers naturally keep the moral code, such as not committing adultery or stealing. The commandments' moral principles remain valid, but they are now expressed from the heart.

Why does Paul not repeat the Sabbath commandment?

Les Feldick teaches that Paul repeats nine of the Ten Commandments but not the Sabbath. This is because the Sabbath was a ceremonial aspect of the law, not part of the moral code for the church. Believers are not under the Sabbath's binding power.

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Grace vs. Law — Galatians Chapter 2