If salvation is based on only the grace in Jesus, why then do we have the commandments?

Jesus was the fulfillment of the law, not the destruction of it. And in that fulfillment, we do have freedoms that were not available to the Israelites in the Old Testament. We are not "free" from the 10 Commandments.

Because believing is not all there is to being saved. Even the Devil believes in Jesus.

After we are baptized we can still lose our salvation by commiting serious sins (transgressing the commandments)which cut us off from the grace of God. Jesus Christ stressed the importance of following the commandments when He said "if you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Salvation is a lifelong journey. St Paul wrote "he who endures until the end will be saved." That is why the commandments ARE important. St. James writes that faith and works save us.

Jesus was asked what are the greatest commandments, He said the first, Love God with all your heart. The second he said is as great as the first, Love your neighbor as you would yourself. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses.

After that more were written to give people guidance.

Jesus was once asked a question about one of the laws.

He said I have not come to change the Laws, your ancestors were given 10 commandments and they could not follow them, so men were given ten times ten commandments and they still could not follow them, so today, you have been given one hundred times those commandments and because of the hardening of your hearts, you cannot follow these rules.

The question was, is it OK to eat meat and Jesus replayed, You shall not Kill , you see nothing has changed, you people of the world are still killing People and animals and nothing has changed over all these years and many additional Laws.

Rev. TomCat

There are three types of OT laws: Civil (government), ceremonial (pointing to a Messiah - Jesus), and moral. Of all the OT laws, only about 6% can be applied outside the State of Israel. That fact, along with all the laws that were fulfilled with Jesus' death on the cross, basically eliminates all the civil and ceremonial laws. That leaves us with the moral laws to ponder.

Moral laws applied to pre-Israel, Israel, and post-Israel. The NT confirms that the moral laws are still in effect (homosexuality, adultery, etc.). All of the Ten Commandments were repeated again in the NT except keeping the Sabbath (the principle of one day of rest still applies, just not necessarily on Saturday). The NT also confirmed it isn't just the action that is wrong, but also the "thought" behind a wrong action (Matt. 5:27-28).

Remember, the law can't save you (Gal. 2:21). But we will be judged according to its righteous standard as it applies to us (I Cor. 3:13-15).

Read Romans Chapters 7&8

The Ten Commandments or Law of God serves as a mirror to show us that we need the grace of God.

The commandments were given to show us that we are sinners. In them, God tells us what is best for us.

Our sins have kept us from a right relationship with God.

Jesus' sacrificial death was the eternal payment for our sins.

By admitting to our sinfulness and wanting to be reconciled to God, we can trust Jesus' blood payment fully for this reconciliation. He took our sins and made us right with God---for all who believe. Yes, "faith without works is dead" which means if one has trusted only Jesus' death as full payment for sins and has been given eternal life, this faith should be seen in the way they live their lives for God. Our good deeds (or works) do not get us right with God----we can never be good enough. That is why He sent His Son. Jesus' sacrifice is enough! He will help believers' to obey.

The commandments are from the Old Testament. Christians believe Jesus came to establish a new covenant.

Because of Jesus we will not die for our sins. but that does not mean we will not atone for our sins. So our actions do matter. The commandments do two things, they keep order in Gods house. They also keep us from trouble and keep us healthy and give peace of mind. They are not necessarily to cramp our style.

With grace comes responsibility and that responsibility is spelled out in scripture. As Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it [for you and me}. Living under grace does not mean you have a liscence to sin continually. As a matter fact as you lean on the Holy Spirit you will sin less and less !!! Why be disciplined by your Heavenly new friend when you don't have to be !!!

http://www.carm.org/doctrine/100truths.htm