The Law Of Christ

At Open Arms Community Church we’ve been doing a series called “Growing Closer To God” and this weekend we covered the topic of how community grows us closer to God.

In this discussion we crossed paths with a scripture that leapt out at me, Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Interestingly, in the scripture the new testament, specifically the books of Romans and Galatians, address the fact that we are no longer under the law, that we are now free from having live up to a law we could never keep in full, and we are free from the consequence of breaking the law.

In all the discussion, Paul makes a statement in Romans 3 that even though we are free from the law, we do not nullify the law. Rather we uphold it. Is this a contradiction? Not at all! Paul is referring to something deeper, something more profound.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. '38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. ' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22) Jesus simplified all the commands of the old covenant into two simple commands, which he later simplified into one command, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15). He also stated to “Remain in my love” and in another place “This is my command: love each other.” (John 15)

I realize that many people out there are trying to find deeper revelation and understanding about God, his will for their life, and secrets to the abundant life Jesus promised, but God spoke through Paul in 1Corinthians 13, “1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

God tells us that what really matters is one simple word, LOVE! This is the “law of Christ” that Paul was writing about in Galatians 6:2. James refers to this as the “royal law” (James 2).

What does this look like?

First we know that we operate under grace, not law. So, skip the idea that it’s a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s not a list of rules written on paper. It’s something written on your heart (Hebrews 8:10). It’s not something that is followed out of religious duty.

By Jesus’ statement that the greatest command is to “love” God and other people we understand several things.

1) Everything we do for God and others is motivated by Love, not religious duty/law.
2) Everything we’re involved in with God and others is to be done out of the context of relationship, not religious duty/law.
3) Everything we do for God and others is because we want to, not have to.
4) Living a life of love is the fulfillment of all God wants and desires for us and the entire universe.

The law of Christ is Love!

How important is it? Well, Paul made it clear in 1Corinthians 13 that without love everything else is in vain! The Holy Spirit spoke through John, “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” And again, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” (1John 3)

So, we can see that this “law of Christ” is of huge importance to our eternity. Our living a life of love is proof of our new birth in Christ, proof that we are really God’s Child. Our living a life of love is proof that we’ve passed from death to life! This makes love huge!

So, back to the question… What does it look like. The simple answer is look at the example of Jesus. That’s what love looks like. It’s not always convenient, comfortable, painless, and happy. True love costs and is inconvenient and is even painful at times.

For those that like lists or descriptives to help them better understand what this love is that we’re called to live out, here you go… (1Corinthians 13:4-8 Amplified) 4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

Every time I read this list it challenges me. Every time I read this list I feel like getting militant and making it my code. In part that’s okay, taking it seriously, but love is something that comes from the heart, not a list.

Some people seem to think this love is simply saying, “I love you”, but Jesus teaches us different.

We are meant to live out of our heart/spirit. The fruit of the spirit is love, etc.

This list gives us an understanding of the person and character of love (Jesus), but is exemplified by the very life lived and laid down by love in the flesh (Jesus).

We are meant to follow this example, walk in the way of love, live a life of love, and let love be our guide.

It’s one simple question… Is my motivation, my attitude, my thoughts, or what I’m about to say or do, love?

Anything less is not Christian.