How Does God's Law Apply to Me?

How Does God’s Law Apply to Me? examines the purpose and continuing relevance of the Ten Commandments for the Christian life, offering a concise introduction to the moral law and its place in the believer’s relationship with God.

Dr. R.C. Sproul begins by drawing readers to Psalm 119 and its celebration of God’s law as an object of deep affection rather than a burden to be discarded. He addresses a common tendency among Christians to dismiss the Old Testament law as irrelevant under the new covenant, showing how this impulse can lead to antinomianism—the rejection of the moral law’s authority in the life of the believer. Sproul explains the classical threefold distinction of the law as mirror, restrainer, and revealer, demonstrating how each function continues to serve the church.

The book then walks through each of the Ten Commandments, exploring their meaning and application. Throughout, Sproul shows that the moral law reveals God’s character and goodness, exposes human sinfulness, and ultimately points believers to Christ, who fulfilled the law perfectly on their behalf. The relationship between law and gospel is presented not as an opposition but as a unity, in which obedience flows from love for Christ and gratitude for His grace.

Key Themes

• The abiding authority of God’s moral law for Christians under the new covenant
• The three uses of the law: mirror, restrainer, and revealer of God’s will
• The relationship between love for Christ and obedience to His commandments
• The danger of antinomianism and the neglect of God’s law in the church

Featured Quotes

“Do we hear people in the church today celebrate the depth of their affection for the law of God? The obvious answer is no.”

“The ninth commandment is not an exercise in abstraction, nor is it simply limited to courtroom testimony. It defines the importance of truth in human relationships.”