We are a people of freedom from the law of Moses, but does that mean we are free from all law?

Are We Free from All Law?

Over and over on this side of the cross (after Jesus’ resurrection), Scripture says that we are free from the law (Romans 6:14, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 8:2, Romans 7:6-7). This law is the Law of Moses from the Old Covenant. The Law of Moses brings condemnation and death. The New Covenant, the covenant that we are under with God, brings life in  abundance. Any time you read a scripture and it brings fear and condemnation, that is a sign that there is law operating – legalism and the law of Moses.

 Romans 8:2 (NIV) says:

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 

Moreover Romans 7:6-7 (TPT) says:

6 But now that we have been fully released from the power of the law, we are dead to what once controlled us. And our lives are no longer motivated by the obsolete way of following the written code, so that now we may serve God by living in the freshness of a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

A New Law  

But this does not mean we are free from ALL law. There are 3 laws we will eternally be under in Christ and they are happy laws:

1. The law of Love (1 John 3:23, John 13:34; Galatians 5:6,13-14; Galatians 6:2, 2 John 5-6, 1 Corinthians 9:19 – 21, 2 Peter 2:21)

2. The law of liberty (James 1:25, James 2:12). 

3. Believing in Christ (1 John 3:23) 

The Law of Love

 Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment in John 13:34 (NKJV):

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

This was also referred to as the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 9:21) and as the Law of the Spirit (Romans 8:2). This makes sense because Christ and the Spirit  are One and They are Love!

The importance of this new law is emphasized over and over throughout the New Testament (Matthew 28:19 – 20, Matthew 22:34-40, John 13:34-35; John 15:12,17; 2 John 5-6; 1 Timothy 1:3-5, 1 Corinthians 7:17-19).

It is so paramount that Jesus said this would be the way that we would be recognized. John 13:34 – 35 (NIV) says: 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

1 John 3:14 (NIV) says love is the evidence of following Christ:

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

 I talk more about this primary command in my blog, “Commanded to Love”: https://catherinetoon.com/commanded-to-love/

 The Law of Liberty

James 1:25 (TPT) says:

25 But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do! 

 James 2:12 (TPT) reiterates:

12 So we must both speak and act in every respect like those who are destined to be tried by the perfect law of liberty,

 Clearly where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and we are under His law (2 Corinthians 3:17)! We are under the Law of Christ, which is Love and brings true freedom!

The Law of Believing in Christ 

This is kind of a no brainer – everything we experience comes out of knowing and believing in Christ. 1 John 3:23 (TPT) brings out the concept of this as a command. 

23 So these are his commands: that we continually place our trust in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we keep loving one another, just as he has commanded us.

 Understand that fulfilling all these laws are to be done:

1. by abiding in union with Christ (John 15:5) where love t pops out as fruit of our union

2. in rest (Hebrews 4, Matthew 11:28-29)

3. by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-16, 22) where love pops out as fruit of the Spirit!

4. by trusting in God (Philippians 2:12-13) who empowers us!

Let us rejoice! We are no longer under the old covenant law that brought striving and ultimately death! Instead, we are under a new covenant with full access to the Trinity – anytime, anywhere. We are under the law of love, the law of liberty, and the law of believing in Jesus.  

Is it such an amazing thing that God is so passionate about His kids! His commands are breathtakingly beautiful and He is the One Who empowers us the bear His amazing fruit!

 

XO,

 

Catherine