Do Old Testament Laws Still Apply? How to Know What Still Matters.

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Can you think of a time when you finally gave Leviticus a chance? You read a verse about loving your neighbor and nod along. Then a few verses later, there are instructions about animal sacrifices and suddenly you’re unsure what to do with any of it.

Let’s start by acknowledging the confusion:

• Why do some Christians follow certain laws but not others?

• Is it arbitrary and subjective? Or is there actually a framework that can help me navigate all these laws?

The good news is that there is a way to understand this that doesn’t only bring clarity and cut confusion, but can actually deepen our faith instead.

One core foundational point is this: we have to know that not all laws were given for the same purpose. The laws in the Old Testament were not random. They served different purposes for the people of Israel during the time that they were given. 

So every law found in the Old Testament—and there are 613 of them! Fall into three categories:

• Civil

• Ceremonial

• Moral

1. Civil Law: God’s Justice for a Specific Nation

Every sovereign nation has a law code that citizens must abide by. One cannot plead ignorant to avoid the consequences of breaking a law. As citizens of any country, we are all subject to the laws of the land regardless of how familiar we are with them.

This was no different for the nation of Israel in the ancient world. The civil laws found in the Old Testament applied exclusively to the nation of Israel in order to govern Israel as a nation. It functioned in the same way we would understand our legal system today.

These laws were not religious, but they did reveal God’s heart for justice and harmonious interaction amongst his people. They covered civil disputes, fairness, and community living—among other things. 

For example: Leviticus 19:15 says, 

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. 

On Bible Gateway’s website, it explains that this law commands impartial justice, prohibiting favoritism toward the poor or deference to the rich in legal matters. It demands that neighbors be judged with fairness and righteousness, focusing strictly on the truth rather than social status. This law emphasized integrity in the judicial process.  

So what’s our bridge to today? The quick answer: we don’t apply these directly as law. However, the principles of justice, fairness, and the dignity of all people still matters deeply and as followers of Jesus, we should be noting what these civil laws communicate regarding the heart of God and his character.

2. Ceremonial Law: How People Approached God

This is where many Bible readers get stuck so let’s bring some clarity here. If you have ever visited a loved one in the ICU, you know that there are strict requirements that must be followed before you are permitted entry. Being sick exempts you immediately, but even if you’re healthy, you are required to thoroughly wash your hands, wear a special suit, and a mask as well. To be united with that loved one, there is a requirement of cleanliness that must be adhered to. 

The sacrifices, rituals, and temple practices functioned in much of the same way and were designed to deal with sin and restore relationship with God. One difference is that God did not fear being contaminated by the people. According to gotquestions.org, the requirement was meant to highlight God's holiness—his “set apart-ness”, as well as distinguish the Israelites from other nations, and symbolize the need for spiritual purity before approaching a holy God. It served as a constant, tangible reminder of sin's corruption and the necessity of atonement.

For example: Leviticus 16 is a whole chapter breaking down the requirements and purpose for the Day of Atonement—a solemn and somber ceremony reconciling God and people through the forgiveness of sin by way of a sacrifice and a scapegoat.

So what’s the bridge for this category of laws? Thank you, God! These laws were all fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus was the final sacrifice. We no longer need ceremonies and rituals to earn forgiveness or be made right with God.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 

Hebrews 10:11-12

Even the early church struggled to make sense of this but did, in the end, clearly land where we do: the ceremonial laws required to make atonement for the people and reconcile us to God have been fulfilled in Jesus and apply to all people, for all time. The ceremonial laws through the sacrificial system were a temporary, band-aid solution to a problem only God himself could fix. And he did—when he came to earth as the Person of Jesus and offered himself as the once-for-all sacrifice. 

3. Moral Law: God’s Timeless Heart for a Life of Flourishing

If you’re looking for a category of laws that we are still required to follow, this is it! These laws reflect God’s character regarding how people are meant to live and treat one another.

For example: Leviticus 19:18 is a simple law that commands readers to love their neighbor. 

As followers of Jesus, we should be able to see how this law and others like it still apply today. But it is helpful to recognize that these are not just rules. They are an invitation into the kind of life God designed. If we are made in God’s image, then it’s fair to conclude that he would know best how we should live for the life of flourishing we all long for. Recognizing that God is the Author of such laws gives us an anchor for why we should follow moral laws in the first place rather than just our feelings or opinions.

The Cheat Sheet Filter: How Jesus Helps Us Understand It All

To quote Jesus from many places in the Gospels: Jesus did not come to abolish or erase the law. Rather, he fulfilled it and clarified it.

• Jesus upheld moral law

• Jesus fulfilled ceremonial law

• Jesus shifted how we relate to civil law

So if you’re not sure what to focus on, lock in on what Jesus told someone who asked him for some direction, too. Jesus commands us to love God and to love others, and that this two-pronged approach sums up all of God’s law.

Practical Takeaways: How to Read the Old Testament Today

When you read a law, ask:

1. What type of law is this? (civil, ceremonial, moral)

2. What does this reveal about God’s character?

3. How does Jesus fulfill or clarify this?

4. What principle still applies to my life today?

From Confusion to Confidence

Instead of avoiding the parts of the Old Testament that are seemingly irrelevant, we can approach them with confidence knowing they are not outdated, but deeply meaningful when understood through the lens of Jesus. So that what may once have felt confusing can become an invitation—to know God more, trust him more, and live in a way that reflects his heart.

What’s in the Ears

This is the part where I share a song or podcast I’m currently into. The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast hosted Dr. Caroline Leaf for an episode titled Cognitive Neuroscientist: The Formula to Rewire Your Mind. A really helpful exploration on taking thoughts captive from a brain science perspective. Let me know if you check it out!

If this stirred something in you, share this post with a friend or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear what small step you’re taking towards the flourishing life today! And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.