Lesson 84
The Christ-Centered Life
The Foundation
is our Position in Christ - Rom 6
Review:
Need
to examine the Believer's relationship to the Law
1. Several typical answers, have been
given to the question: Is the Christian under the law?
a. Some argue that the believer is under the law, but not under the ceremonial law.
b. Others say that we are under the moral law, but not under its
.
c. Still others assert that we are under the moral law as a rule
of life, but not as a way of .
d. Another view is that we are under the Sermon on the , but not under the law of Sinai.
e. A rather curious view advanced recently is that the Christian
believer is under the law of , but not under the law of . Luke 2:21-24, 39; Mark 7:8-13
It must be understood that the Mosaic Law is viewed in the
Scriptures as a unit. The word, Torah or “Law,” is always singular when applied
to the Law of Moses, although it contains 613 commandments.
2. The following verses
clearly states that the Believer is not under the Law as the governing
principle for their life:
Romans 6:14, 15
Romans 7:4
Romans 7:6
Gal. 3:25
Gal. 5:18
1 Cor. 9:20
3. The 3 phrases to
"die to the Law"
[7:4], "to be released from the
Law" [7:2], "not
under the Law" [6:14; Gal. 5:18] means that we as Believers are
freed from the condemnation of the Law and separated totally from it as a source of motivation and regulation of
their life.
4. To be "under grace" means that the
Believer is under the dynamic and
regulatory controls of grace;
that is we are under authority of grace as the governing principle for our life.
5. Believers are dead to
the Law in its entirety including the Moral Law (the ten
commandments);
6. Deliverance from the
Law does not mean that Believers are left
without principles.
- Note the following New Testament uses of
the word "law" which
are distinct from the Mosaic Law: in each example, the word can be equated with
"principle" or "principles."
Romans 8:2
" ... the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ ... "
1 Cor.
Gal. 6:2
" ... so fulfill the law of Christ"
James
7. Christ and His
righteousness are the end of the law for righteousness
to every Believer, Rom. 10:4;
8. Christianity then is not
a system of legalism nor is it antinomianism.
9. The law and its
ultimate intent are fulfilled in the Believer by agape-love, the mental and overt expression
of the essence of the indwelling Spirit of God within, Romans 13:8; Galatians
5:14.
-
flows out of walking by the Spirit, reflecting His character
- Rom 8:4
10. Conclusion: Believers
are in no way connected to the Mosaic Law.
- by the works of
the law no man is justified Rom.
- the power to live
the CWOL is not found in the law either!