Why The Old Testament Is So Important Today

Does the Old Testament still matter for Christians today? Discover how God’s Law, grace, and Jesus are all part of one story.

Many Christians today—especially in a modern culture like ours in Canada—wonder if the Old Testament still matters.

It’s an understandable question, but the answer is a big, hopeful yes—the Old Testament still matters. Not just a little. A lot.

The confusion often comes from a misunderstanding of the Bible’s big picture. We sometimes treat the Old Testament Law like a failed first draft. We imagine that God gave the Law, hoping we’d obey it and earn eternal life. When that didn’t work (because of sin), He switched to Plan B: grace.

But that’s not how the Bible tells the story.

God doesn’t do Plan Bs. The Law and the Gospel are not opposites—they’re deeply connected. The Law wasn’t a trap; it was always pointing us to Jesus. If we ignore the Old Testament, we miss the Gospel Jesus Himself preached.

Jesus didn’t cancel the Law. He completed it.

When Jesus talks about the Law, He’s not just talking about rules or rituals. “The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings” was the full name of what we now call the Old Testament.

Sometimes “law” means the commands (like the Ten Commandments), and sometimes it refers to the whole Old Testament story.

Here’s the key:

Here are three powerful reasons why God’s Law still matters—and how it all points to Jesus:

God’s law defines sin. It’s not just a list of “don’ts”—it’s a portrait of what love looks like. When we read the commandments, we’re seeing God’s heart for justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

But here’s the problem: on our own, we can’t live up to it.

That’s where Jesus comes in. He kept the Law perfectly, showing us what obedience looks like—and offering us His righteousness in our place.

From Adam to Abraham to Moses, every story and command in the Old Testament is part of God’s one plan of salvation.

Think of them as signposts pointing to Jesus.

The whole Bible tells one unified story: creation, fall, promise, redemption. The Law shows our need, and Jesus shows God’s answer.

Before Jesus, the Law said “Do this,” but we were powerless to obey.

Now, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can walk in obedience—not perfectly, but truly.

Love is the heart of the Law, and Jesus empowers us to love as He loves.

We will. We all do.

But that’s the beauty of grace: Jesus not only forgives our failure—He gives us the Spirit to keep going.

Our obedience doesn’t earn our salvation—it flows from it.

The Pharisees knew the Law, but missed its meaning. They reduced it to behaviour they could manage, then advertised their own righteousness.

Jesus brought the Law back to its original purpose: loving God and others with all our heart.

He said:

Jesusn wasn’t making the Law easier. He was showing us how deep it really goes—and that only He could fulfill it.

Jesus didn’t come to give us a new religion. He came to:

We’re no longer facing the Law alone—we’re facing it with Christ in us.

God didn’t have a Plan A and a Plan B. He’s always had one plan.
The Old Testament, the Law, and Grace are all part of the same story.

So yes, Christian—the Old Testament matters. It matters deeply.
Because Jesus is all over it.

Don’t ask: “Is the Old Testament relevant to my life today?”
Ask instead: “How is it relevant to my life today?”

Once you see Jesus in the Law, you’ll never read the Bible the same way again.

Use these for personal devotions or small group discussions:

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