Are Christians under the ten commandments?

This question is probably one of the most debated doctrine in Christianity. There is a sect of Christians that holds the view that we are not in any way under the ten commandments or under the law in general. But we have others who also expresses an opposite view, they believe keeping the ten commandments is a legitimate requirement for everyone. I will by the grace of God examine the matter at hand biblically, so that a clear understanding will be established.

Can I obtain salvation by keeping the ten commandments?

Beloved brethren, Paul wrote down this scripture by the Spirit saying: Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God (Romans 7; 1-4).

The ten commandments was part of the whole law of God, and Jesus Christ has set us free from the law and it's enslaving power. We are now married to him who was raised from the dead, and no longer under obligation to keep the law as a means of justification and salvation. The ten commandment cannot justify anyone, because of the weakness of our flesh, for it is written: "Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident (Galatians 3; 11). The function of the ten commandments was to expose our own sinfulness, and to make us conscious of sin (Romans 3; 20). The ten commandment reveals God's character and perfect standard of holiness. The commandments were too perfect, and it made bare our weakness and inability to keep it.

Jesus on the mount, interpreted the true meaning of the ten commandments to us. Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5: 27-28). 

Jesus explained to us that the act of adultery goes beyond physical touch, but simply looking upon a woman with lust means that you are already guilty of the sin of adultery. 

He also said: "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell (Matthew 5; 21-22).

Murder also goes beyond the physical act, it's more of a heart issue. Sinful anger is equivalent to the act of murder per Jesus exegesis of the text. 

It is impossible to rely on your strength to obey the law with the intent of obtaining salvation. The ten commandments is good, but it is not good for you to keep in order to attain the blessedness of salvation. Salvation is only by faith in the Man Jesus Christ and not by law keeping (John 3; 16).

Are Christians to obey the ten commandments? 

Almost all of the ten commandments are spread across the pages of the new testament. The fact that they are in the new testament does not mean we are under it in the same way as the old testament saints were. Today, we obey the ten commandments not as a strict legalistic code to earn salvation, but because the Spirit of God is at work in us, and uses it as part of our sanctification process.

Even the entirety of the ten commandments is summed up in love, so as we walk in love, we automatically fulfills the ten commandments: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13; 8-10).

So the question, are Christians under the ten commandments as a legal obligation? The short answer is no, rather we are under the "law of Christ", see (1 Corinthians 9; 21, Galatians 6; 2). God bless you 

A thought to ponder

The ten commandments were too perfect, and it made bare our weakness and inability to keep it.

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