Did Jesus Christ teach that we should walk by the commandments?
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord teaches the Jews: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets: I have come not to abolish, but to fulfill. Amen, I tell you: until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 5:17–19; see Q153, Q437).
Before his life-creating Passion, the Lord repeats: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love… This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you” (Joh 15:10–14).
Even though Christians are not under the Law of Sinai, given for a time and purpose, through Moses, to God’s chosen people, but are ‘in Christ,’ who is himself the end and goal of the Law (Rom 10:4; see Q490), it remains that we, justified by faith through grace, and having the law of God engraved no longer on stone but on hearts of flesh (Jer 31:31–34; 2Co 3:3; see Q030, Q043), are called to keep the Lord’s commandments, that we may be numbered among “the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12).
