Since the founding of the church of God, subtle arguments have been advanced to suggest that walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ is not necessary to be a true Christian. One such argument claims that Jesus was born under the law, implying He was bound to keep the Old Covenant rules, rituals, and ceremonies. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to follow exhaustive regulations, including sacrifices, washings, and physical requirements like circumcision, to remind the Israelites of their need for a Savior and to set them apart from Gentile nations. The false teaching that Jesus was under these laws suggests that Christians do not need to follow Him in all respects, as He adhered to ordinances that are not required of us under the New Testament. The pivotal question remains: Was Jesus Christ born under the law and thus obligated to keep all Old Covenant rules? Galatians 4:4 states that God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. However, the Greek word used here primarily means to cause to be or to come into being, emphasizing His humanity rather than a literal birth under legal obligation. Paul speaks of law in general, not specifically the law of God, indicating that Jesus was subject to the same human conditions as any other man. The deeper meaning of this verse points to the divine miracle of His conception and His placement under the law at the time of His crucifixion, when God the Father laid the burden of the world's sins upon Him. Jesus led a perfect life, and thus the Old Covenant rules, designed to remind Israel of their sins, did not apply to Him. Some argue that Jesus was born under the law by citing scriptures showing His parents performing Old Covenant rituals, such as His circumcision and the offering after His birth. However, these acts were done by Joseph and Mary, not by Christ Himself, who was only eight days old and unaware of the proceedings. The major thrust of such arguments is to convince others that following Christ in all respects is unnecessary. Jesus Christ was not born under the law in the sense of being bound by ceremonial obligations. He did not keep the ceremonial law, though He upheld the spiritual law of God. Everything He did, we must do, following His perfect example in all respects.

In the journey of spiritual growth, the law stands as a vital gift from a benevolent Father in heaven, given to the children of Israel about 3,450 years ago at Mount Sinai. It serves as a tool designed by God to help us attain godly character and enter His kingdom. The law provides structure, guidelines, and boundaries indispensable for spiritual maturity. It is holy, just, and good, a perfect gift that leads to eternal life, blessings, and harmonious relationships when followed. However, an overemphasis on the law can lead to oppression, fear, and rigidity, stifling creativity and initiative. In a society dominated by laws, as seen in the United States with its countless regulations and codes, individuals often become either paralyzed by fear of breaking the law or obsessed with finding loopholes to circumvent it. This imbalance is reflected in the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers of biblical times, who burdened people with heavy interpretations and traditions, refusing to assist while exploiting loopholes for themselves. Their overemphasis on law produced moral defilement, violence, and hatred, creating a society that oppressed the common man. The law alone, without balance, could not be fully kept by the Israelites, as God had not yet given them a heart to perceive, eyes to see, or ears to hear. This missing element hindered their ability to live according to the true way of God. Yet, the law remains spiritual, reaching into the depths of mind, desires, and attitudes, showing the path of right conduct. When viewed through the proper balance, as Paul delighted in it according to the inward man, the law becomes a source of freedom and joy, not a burden. God's intent is for the law to be used in tandem with His Spirit, ensuring that worship and life are conducted in both spirit and truth. The law, as truth, encapsulates God's revealed way of life, providing the boundaries within which we must operate. It defines sin and guides proper behavior, remaining indispensable even as we are delivered from its overemphasis to serve in the newness of the Spirit. Through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, God has made it possible to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law by walking according to the Spirit, transforming our mindset to focus on spiritual goals and peace. Used together in proper proportion, the law and the Spirit become an unstoppable set of tools for spiritual growth, fulfilling God's purpose for His people.

Recent changes within the Worldwide Church of God have led to a troubling shift in perspective on the importance of law in the Christian journey. There is now a narrative that suggests certain laws, even those among the Ten Commandments, do not need to be kept, promoting an over-emphasis on salvation by grace alone and faith alone, terms not found in Scripture. This approach distorts the vision of God's purpose, implying that one can reach the ultimate goal without adhering to the guidance provided by His laws. God's Word clearly establishes that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He has ordained for us to walk in. When the law, intended as a major part of the guidance toward God's vision, is discarded, it is akin to wandering without direction, falsely assuming all paths lead to the same destination. Scripture emphasizes conditions for eternal life, including repentance, belief, and overcoming, showing that one cannot live recklessly after repentance and still expect God's favor. Christianity is a way of life, a specific course to follow, as Jesus declared Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life. This way is defined by the law of the Lord, a major portion of the path to the Kingdom of God, as seen in Psalm 119 where the blessed are those undefiled in the way, walking in His law. The law, including commandments, statutes, and judgments, is essential and cannot be omitted from this journey. A way is a course traveled from one place to another, a method of accomplishing a goal, and it includes rules to follow. God's purpose is to produce a product in His image, and the commandments, all ten of them, play a major role in that process. Removing any law from this package risks destroying God's intended purpose, as it is fundamental to fitting within the community He is creating. In a society without adherence to God's standards, life becomes a fearful struggle, lacking community. True community, as envisioned in God's Kingdom, requires everyone to live by the same rules, His rules. The law is not merely a set of rules to obey as a favor to God; it is the fundamental principle without which mankind cannot live together, existing as the law before it was engraved on stone and enduring beyond the crumbling of stone.