Preacher: Ps Frank Russell | Series: Grace Versus Law
Grace Versus Law Part 2
Love for God and love for one’s neighbour. This new relationship with God means that a Christian is dead to the Law (the Law has no power over a dead man!) and, as it were, MARRIED to Christ. A Christian was once bound to the Law, but is free to ” marry” Christ now that he is dead to the Law. Because of this ” marriage” he now lives motivated by love. (Rom. 7:I-6).
Moreover, this new life of LOVE actually FULFILS the Law. Paul says: “…whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ..whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”. (Rom. 13:8-9).
Therefore. a Christian’s motive for conduct is now the “Law of love.” All that he does is now done in a spirit of love to his neighbour. He ref uses to steal, not just because it is said to be wrong, but because it is not a fruit of love. So with murder, hatred disobedience to parents, coveting, adultery. bearing false witness. and so on. These things are not acts of love, so they are not part of a Christian`s conduct.
So for the Christian, the Old Law in all of its aspects is completely done away, and we have come under a new commandment (Matt. 22:37-40) (Rom. 5:5 13:8-10) (Gal. 5:14).