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:
- 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)
- The law of liberty (James 1:25, James 2:12).
- 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:
- by abiding in union with Christ (John 15:5) where love t pops out as fruit of our union
- in rest (Hebrews 4, Matthew 11:28-29)
- by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-16, 22) where love pops out as fruit of the Spirit!
- 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
Thank you Catherine for your insight and teaching me all this so I can learn.u are so amazing.thank you both.but I do have questions for you.
I am so glad you enjoyed this! Feel free to bring up whatever questions you need to!
Hi Catherine,
I agree with you and just want to add that the reason that so many people suffer from fear and condemnation is that 99% of US “Christian” churches brain-wash their members with fear-based and works-based religion instead of Truth.
As a person who suffered greatly for over 50 years as a result of trusting what churches told me, I am very thankful to finally know the Truth, that Jesus IS Grace and Truth. However, I am in fierce opposition to churches that continue to terrorize the Father’s children with varying degrees of legalistic bondage with the ultimate lie of eternal conscious torment hanging over their heads like an eternal death sentence. Churches that refuse to exchange fear and bondage for perfect love and grace will continue to hemorrhage adherents and that is a good thing.
Thanks so much for your great insight! Truly if it is the fruit of fear it is not Jesus! Blessings!