Free from the Law, but Not Against the Law

Free from the Law, but Not Against the Law Most people make a major mistake when they read passages about believers being no longer "under the law" or believers being "dead to the law." Unfortunately they assume this means the law is no longer valid or important for a New Testament believer. They fall into a heresy which the church has always condemned called "antinomianism" (against the law). It is true that believers are no longer slaves to the law ("under the law"). It is true that we died to the law.

But the law didn't die, we did. What is the continuing use of the law? This is the best summary I've found on the continuing use of the law. (It's not mine. I discovered it in a program called "Sonship" published by World Harvest Mission.) The law is good, righteous and useful (Romans 7:12,16; 1 Timothy 1:8).

It is true that the law has no power to save, but it does have power to guide and help us know the mind of God. Here is a summary of what the Bible teaches about the Law and Freedom in Christ. I AM FREE FROM THE LAW: I am DEAD to the law and am no longer "under" it. It has no POWER over me. I am FREE FROM THE LAW'S CONDEMNATION and demand.

It has no power over my conscience. My sins are paid for, and I have Jesus' obedience. I need not look to the law to save me. I also need not look to the law to sanctify me. It is not my growth.

I grow by faith, which results in obedience. I am FREE FROM THE LAW AS MY HOLINESS -- Christ is my holiness. I am FREE FROM THE LAW BEING A MEASURE OF MY CLOSENESS TO GOD or my spirituality. I am FREE FROM USING THE LAW AGAINST OTHERS. I am FREE FROM THE PRIDE of keeping the law.

I DELIGHT IN THE LAW: The law is GOOD. It is not the law that died. The law REFLECTS THE MIND OF MY FATHER. It is a mirror of His righteousness. It teaches me what is right and what is wrong.

It shows me the boundaries of His desires, but not the boundaries of His love. The law HELPS ME MEASURE MY PROGRESS. It shows me my sin (Romans 7:7). It is an exam God doesn't grade; for my encouragement, repentance and trust. The law is a TEACHER REMINDING ME OF MY NEED FOR CHRIST.

(The law is a power pump to bring up what is underground in my heart. It brings up from below.) It shows me how powerless I am to change on my own. The law is a ROAD MAP SHOWING ME WHERE THE MINE FIELDS ARE. It tells me how to be protected and fulfilled in a fallen world.

The laws IS MEANT TO DRIVE ME TO THE GOSPEL. That is where I find forgiveness, righteousness and power to live the Christian life. "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32 In summary then: I apply the law to my actions. I apply the gospel to my heart.