Foundations Study  - The Christ Centered Life  Lesson 16 February 3, 2002

 

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

 

 

 

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. 9:21 " ... under the law of Christ" (lit., "inlawed to Christ")

   Gal. 6:2    " ... so fulfill the law of Christ"

   James 2:12  " ... so do as they that shall be judged by a law of                 liberty"      (compare 1:25)