LAW OF CHRIST
“The perfect law of liberty” vs. religious legalism
1. Salvation is purely by grace, not works:
Romans 3:28 A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law
Ephesians 2:8,9 By grace (undeserved mercy) are ye saved through faith; it is the gift of God: Not of works
Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us
A. Salvation is not partly by grace & partly by good works:
Romans 11:6 If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace
B. Salvation was always by grace, even in the Old Testament:
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord
Genesis 15:6 (Abraham) believed in the Lord; & He counted it to him for righteousness (See also Romans 4:3,5-8,21,22)
Habakkuk 2:4 The just shall live by his faith
Hebrews 11:13 [Old Testament saints] all died in faith…having seen (the promises) afar off…& were persuaded of them
C. Scrupulously keeping the Mosaic law never saved anyone:
John 1:17 Law given by Moses, but grace & truth came by Jesus
Romans 3:20 By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified
Romans 9:31 Israel, which followed after the law…hath not attained unto the law of righteousness
Galatians 2:16 A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ (See also Galatians 3:11)
Hebrews 7:19 The law made nothing perfect, but…a better hope did
2. What was the Mosaic law?
A. It was a legal code that God gave Moses upon Mt. Sinai:
Exodus 24:12 The Lord said unto Moses, Come up to Me into the mount…& I will give thee a law…[to] teach them
(See also Exodus 31:18; 32:15,16,19; 34:1,28)
B. It was a strict code of justice & retribution:
Exodus 21:23-25 Thou shalt give life for life…eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand…burning for burning
Hebrews 10:28 He that despised (broke) Moses’ law died without mercy
C. The ten commandments were not merely “helpful moral guidelines”, but strict laws carrying the death penalty:
Exodus 20:2,3 (1) Thou shalt have no other gods before Me [Death penalty: Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 13:1-18]
Exodus 20:4,5 (2) Thou shalt not make any graven image (Death penalty same as (1). See also Leviticus 26:1,30; Deuteronomy 4:23-26]
Exodus 20:7 (3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain [Death penalty: Leviticus 24:10-16 ]
Exodus 20:8-10 (4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy [Death penalty: Exodus 31:14,15; 35:2]
Exodus 20:12 (5) Honour thy father & thy mother [Death penalty: Exodus 21:15,17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 21:18-21]
Exodus 20:13 (6) Thou shalt not kill (murder) [Death penalty: Exodus 21:12; Leviticus 24:17,21; Numbers 35:16-31]
Exodus 20:14 (7) Thou shalt not commit adultery [Death penalty: Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22]
Exodus 20:15 (8) Thou shalt not steal [Punishment: Exodus 22:7; Proverbs 6:30; death penalty: Exodus 21:16]
Exodus 20:16 (9) Thou shalt not bear false witness [Punishment &/or death penalty: Deuteronomy 19:16-21 ]
Exodus 20:17 (10) Thou shalt not covet anything (of) thy neighbours’
Galatians 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
D. The ten commandments were only the beginning; Moses’ law contained hundreds of other commandments:
Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them (See also Galatians 3:10)
(See also Deuteronomy 4:13,14a)
E. It was impossible to avoid guilt or to keep the whole law:
James 2:10 Whosoever shall keep the whole law, & yet offend in onepoint, he is guilty of all
3. The law served a purpose only for a time:
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions till the Seed (Jesus) came
Galatians 3:23 Before faith came, we were kept under the law
Hebrews 9:10 Carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation
A. It was merely a copy, a shadow, of the real thing:
Colossians 2:16,17 Sabbath days…are a shadow of things to come; but the body [the reality that casts the shadow] is Christ
Hebrews 8:5 The example & shadow of Heavenly things
Hebrews 9:8b,9 First tabernacle…a figure for the time then present
Hebrews 10:1 The law (had) a shadow of good things to come, & not the very image of the things
1 John 2:8 A new commandment…because the darkness is past, & the true light now shineth
B. The law was impossible to keep:
John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, & yet none of you keepeth the law? (See also Acts 7:53)
Acts 15:10 A yoke upon the neck…which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear
Romans 7:14-19 The law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. How to perform that which is good I find not
C. This showed man he was a sinner in need of grace:
Romans 3:20b By the law is the knowledge of sin
Romans 7:7 I had not known sin, but by the law
Romans 3:19 That…all the world may become guilty before God
Galatians 3:24 The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ
(See also Romans 4:15)
D. The old law was unprofitable & eventually to be replaced:
Romans 8:3 What the law could not do, in that it was weak
Hebrews 7:18 There is verily a disannulling of the [Mosaic law]…for the weakness & unprofitableness thereof
4. Atonement (payment) for breaking the law:
A. Because men constantly broke the law, forgiveness was needed, & a blood sacrifice was required:
Leviticus 4:1-4 If a soul shall sin…against the commandments of Lord …bring a (bull)…kill the (bull) before the Lord
Leviticus 17:11 It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul
Hebrews 9:22 Without shedding of blood is no remission
(See also Leviticus 6:2,3,6,7; 16:3,5-11,15-22)
B. But this never permanently freed man from sin:
Hebrews 10:1-4,11 It is not possible that the blood of bulls & of goats should take away sins…can never take away sins
C. But Jesus made a perfect & permanent sacrifice:
Matthew 26:28 This is My blood…which is shed for remission of sins
Hebrews 9:7-14 By His Own blood…obtained eternal redemption for us
Hebrews 9:25-28a Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many
Hebrews 10:10-12 We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all
1 Peter 1:18,19 Ye were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ
1 John 1:7b The blood of Jesus Christ…cleanseth us from all sin
(See also John 1:29; Romans 5:9)
5. The new law, the law of Christ:
A. God promised a new law to replace the old Mosaic law:
Jeremiah 31:31-33 The days come that I will make a new covenant…I will …write (My law) in their hearts
Hebrews 8:7-10 Finding fault with (that first covenant), He saith, I will make a new covenant
B. Names of the new law:
A new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31); the law of faith (Romans 3:27); the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2); the law of righteousness (Romans 9:31); the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2); the new testament (Hebrews 9:15); the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25); the royal law (James 2:8); the holy commandment (2 Peter 2:21).
C. Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled & ended the law:
Matthew 5:17 I am not come to destroy (the law), but to fulfil
John 19:30 (Jesus) said, It is finished [When He died for our sins, the Mosaic law ended for believers]
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out [wiping the slate completely clean of] the ordinances (the law)…nailing it to His cross
D. The old Mosaic law is now discarded (for believers in Jesus):
Hebrews 8:13 He hath made the first (covenant) old. That which decayeth & waxeth old is ready to vanish away
Hebrews 10:9 He taketh away first (law), that He may establish second
Hebrews 8:6 A better covenant…established upon better promises
E. True believers are no longer bound by the rigid Mosaic law:
Romans 6:14b Ye are not under the law, but under grace
Galatians 3:24,25 The law was our schoolmaster. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster
1 Timothy 1:9 The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless…ungodly…profane…murderers
F. Jesus has liberated us from the Mosaic law:
Romans 7:4 Ye…are become dead to the law by the body of Christ
Romans 7:6 Now we are delivered from the law
Romans 8:1,2 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin & death
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law
G. Jesus’ Spirit & truth gives us freedom:
John 8:36 If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed
2 Corinthians 3:17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
Galatians 5:1 The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free
Galatians 5:5 Through the Spirit…hope of righteousness by faith
Galatians 5:18 If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law
H. Read Jesus’ liberating Words to be set free:
John 8:31,32 Ye shall know the truth, & truth shall make you free
Romans 10:17 Faith cometh by hearing…the Word of God
James 1:25 Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, & continueth therein…shall be blessed in his deed
6. Now the commandment is to love God & our neighbour:
A. This fulfils the law, & fulfils your only obligation:
Matthew 7:12 All things…ye would that men should do to you, do…to them: for this is the law (See Luke 6:31)
Matthew 22:36-40 Thou shalt love God…thou shalt love thy neighbour. On these two commandments (depend) all the law
Romans 13:8 He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law
Galatians 5:14 All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself
James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well
(See also Mark 12:29-31)
B. Deeds done in pure, unselfish love are lawful:
Galatians 5:22,23 Fruit of the Spirit is love…against such there is no law
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me (See also 1 Corinthians 10:23)
Titus 1:15a Unto the pure, all things are pure
Luke 11:41b Behold, all things are clean unto you
C. But you have to have faith for your actions:
Romans 14:14 To him that esteemeth (thinks) any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean
Romans 14:22 Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth
Romans 14:23 He that doubteth is damned (judged)…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin
Titus 1:15b Unto (the) defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure
7. Living the new law:
A. In some ways, the law of Christ is stricter than Moses’ law:
Matthew 5:38-42 [Exodus 21:24 said:] An eye for an eye, & a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, resist not evil
Matthew 5:43-45 [The law] said, Love thy neighbour, & hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies
Luke 10:25-37 Thou shalt love…thy neighbour as thyself. Who is my neighbour? [Even those you’d normally dislike]
James 4:17 Him that knoweth to do good & doeth it not…it is sin
B. Only Jesus can give you the power to live His law:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will & to do of His good pleasure
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me
2 Corinthians 5:14a The love of Christ constraineth (compels) us
2 Corinthians 12:9 My (God’s) grace is sufficient for thee
8. Warnings against misusing the new law:
A. Selfish, unloving liberties:
Romans 14:15 If thy brother be grieved…now walkest thou not (in love). Destroy not him with thy [liberty]
Romans 14:20 All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful…but all things not expedient
1 Corinthians 8:9,12 Take heed Esther ..this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (See1 Corinthians 8:all)
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not
B. Walk in love, not in lust & sin:
Romans 6:1,2 Shall we…sin, that grace may abound? God forbid
Galatians 5:13 Use not liberty as an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another
1 Peter 2:16 As free, & not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God
(See also Romans 3:8; 14:all; 15:1,2)
9. Beware of falling into religious legalism:
A. The concision: Believers still bound by the law:
Acts 21:20 Many thousands of Jews…which believe (in Jesus); & they are all zealous of the (Mosaic) law
Philippians 3:2,3 Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision
(See also Acts 15:1,24; Galatians 6:12,13; Romans 2:28,29)
B. Don’t be entangled again by the law:
Galatians 3:1,3 Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty…& be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage [to the law]
Colossians 2:20-22 If ye be dead with Christ…why are ye subject to ordinances…the commandments & doctrines of men?
C. Legalism is self-righteousness & denies Jesus’ sacrifice:
Romans 10:3 Going about to establish their righteousness, have not submitted unto the righteousness of God
Galatians 2:21 If righteousness come by the law, then Christ (died) in vain(for no reason) (See also Galatians 5:4)
D. The law can’t save you or make you righteous:
Acts 13:39 By Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law
Romans 9:31,32 Israel, which followed after the law…hath not attained to the law of righteousness
Philippians 3:3-9 Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ
E. Those who attempt to obey the law are under bondage:
Galatians 3:10 Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things
Galatians 4:21-31 [The allegory of the two covenants, one of freedom, the other of bondage]
Galatians 5:2-4 [Who tries to keep the law]…is a debtor to do whole law
James 2:10 Whosoever shall keep the whole law, & yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all
10. Trying to legalistically keep the law is not God’s will:
A. Legalists completely miss the main issue:
Matthew 15:2-6 Why do Thy disciples transgress tradition of elders? Ye transgress commandment of God by your tradition
Matthew 23:23 Woe! For ye pay tithe of [tiny spices but] have omitted weightier (more important) matters…mercy & faith
Matthew 23:24 Ye…strain at a gnat, & swallow a camel
Mark 7:6-8 Their heart is far from Me…ye hold the tradition of men, [such] as the washing of pots & cups
John 5:8-11 [Jesus told a lame man, Take up thy bed & waLuke The legalists ignored the miraculous healing & told him it was not lawful to carry his bed on the Sabbath]
B. Legalism is a crushing weight to those it is imposed upon:
Matthew 23:4 They bind heavy burdens & grievous to be borne, & lay them on men’s shoulders
2 Corinthians 3:6b The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life
C. The solution: Walk in God’s love & Spirit:
Micah 6:8 What doth the Lord require of thee, but to…love mercy, & to walk humbly with thy God?
John 6:63a It is the Spirit that quickeneth (makes alive); the flesh profiteth nothing
Romans 7:6 We should serve in newness of spirit, & not in the oldness of the letter [of the law]
2 Corinthians 3:6a Not…the letter [of the law], but of the Spirit
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, & so fulfil law of Christ
11. Even under the Mosaic law, God’s love & mercy prevailed:
A. God always wanted love & mercy more than legalism:
Hosea 6:6 I desired mercy, & not sacrifice; & the knowledge of God more than [sacrifices] (See also Matthew 12:7)
Micah 6:6-8 Shall I come before Him with…offerings? What doth the Lord require of thee, but to…love mercy
Mark 12:33 To love Him with all the heart…& to love his neighbour… is more than all…offerings & sacrifices
(See also Deuteronomy 10:12; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 40:6; 51:16,17; 69:30,31; Isaiah 1:11-16; Jeremiah 7:22,23)
B. He allowed exceptions & the Mosaic law to be broken:
2 Chronicles 30:1-3 [King Hezekiah celebrated the passover in second month, in stead of first–Exodus 12 ] ( also Numbers 9:1-11)
2 Chronicles 30:16-18a Many in the congregation were not sanctified…yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written
2 Chronicles 30:18b-20 Hezekiah prayed, The Lord pardon every one…though he be not cleansed. The Lord hearkened to Hezekiah
Matthew 12:5 On the Sabbath days the priests…profane the Sabbath, & are blameless (See also John 7:22,23)
Matthew 12:1-4 David…did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat (See1 Samuel 21:6)
C. Even the highly religious, those bound by the law, broke it:
Exodus 31:14,15 [The Mosaic law:] Whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death
Matthew 12:11 [They pulled their sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath]
Luke 13:15 [All of them led their ox or ass away to watering then]
John 7:22,23 Ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man
D. Certainly then, we who are not bound by it, can break it:
Matthew 12:10-13 It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days [even if it means breaking the Mosaic law]
Luke 13:11-16 Ought not this woman…be [freed] on the Sabbath day?
John 7:22-24 [If ye break the Sabbath, why] are ye angry at Me, because I have made a man whole on the Sabbath day?
(See also John 9:14-16)
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