The Law of Christ

Bible Text: Romans 7:1-6 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2003, Romans

August 24, 2003                                                                                                                                Northwest Bible Church

Worship Service                                                                                                                                Alan Conner

Rom. 7:1-6 #3

The Law of Christ

 

INTRO

 

Christians are now married to Christ, but He is not a lawless Husband.  He does not save us and then turn us loose to live as we wish.  No, like the Old Covenant which had the law of Moses, the New covenant which binds us to Christ also has its set of laws, called the law of Christ.

It is important for the church to understand well what the law of Christ is.  If you have ever wondered WHY you should know and understand what the law of Christ is, I will give you one answer:  Jn. 14:15  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

 

 

I.  NEW COVENANT LAW – THE LAW OF CHRIST

 

A.  Christians live by the law of Christ.

1Cor. 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

 

B. Christians are deeply interested in keeping the commandments of God.

John 14:15; 15:10; 1Cor. 7:19; 1Th. 4:2; 1John 2:3-4; 3:22, 24;  5:3; Rev. 12:17;14:12

 

C. The relationship of the law of Christ to the law of Moses.

 

1) The law of Christ contains portions of the law of Moses.

 

2 Tim. 3:16-17

Greatest commandment – Mk. 12:28-34

Be holy for I am holy – 1 Pet. 1:16

Romans alone the doctrines which are proof-texted with the OT:

– justification by faith, Rom. 1:17 and Hab. 2:4

– doctrine of sin, Rom. 3:10-18 and the Psalms with Isaiah

– Justification by faith again, Rom. 4 and Gen. 15:6 & Ps 32

– Sovereign mercy, Rom. 9 and Ex. 33: Hos. 2, Isaiah

– Gospel faith, Rom. 10 and Isa. 28 and Joel 2,

– Inclusion of Gentiles in the one covenant tree, Rom. 10, 11 & Isa.

– judgment day, Rom. 14 and Isa. 45

Civil law is applied to the church:

– Penal code of death applied to excommunication, 1 Cor. 5:13.

– Shall not muzzle ox  applied to gospel laborers, 1 Cor. 9:9-10.

– 2 or 3 witnesses in a civil law applied to church discipline, Mt. 18:16.

Nine of the ten commandments; Fifth commandment, Eph. 6:4

 

 

2) The law of Christ does not included certain portions of the law of Moses.

 

a) The portion of the law that made a division between Jew and Gentile is no longer in force because Christ makes the two into one.  Gal. 3:28;  Eph. 2:14-15.           Cf. Circumcision (Gal. 5:2; 1 Cor. 7:19; Acts 15), dietary laws (Mk. 7:19; Col. 2:16), feast days, Sabbath days, new moons (Gal. 4:9-10; Col. 2:16-17).

b) The portions of the law that foreshadow Christ’s work on the cross are no longer in force because Christ has offered the perfect sacrifice.  Cf. priesthood, sacrificial system, worship in the temple, laws of purification,  see the book of Hebrews.

c) The portions of the law that dealt with Israel as a physical nation living in the land of Canaan are no longer in force because Christ has made His church into a spiritual nation (1 Pet. 2:9).    Cf. Cities of refuge, laws that apply to the land like giving the land a sabbath rest; laws of indentured servants; Lex talionus (“eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”).

d) Other portions of the law no longer apply in the New Covenant: Levirate marriage, prohibitions about yoking an ox with a donkey (Deut. 22:10) or growing two different kinds of crops in your field (Deut. 22:9), wear material mixed with wool and linen together (Deut. 22:11).

 

 

3) The continuing significance of the law of Moses is determined by Christ in the New Covenant.  Christ is the new standard as to what applies and doesn’t apply to us out of the law of Moses, and the rest of the OT.  He determines what is shadow and what is eternal.  We now related to the Law only in and through Jesus Christ.  His New Covenant becomes the new set of vows which binds us in our marriage to Him.

 

Summary: A description of the law of Christ –

1) all the teachings and commands of Christ and His apostles;

2) the general category of the moral law in the law of Moses;

3) portions of the civil law as spiritually applied to life within the church.

4) The rest of the OT still profitable to teach us about Christ.

 

 

D. The captstone of Christ’s law is love.

Mk. 12:28-34; John 13:34-35; Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 13:1-8; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:14; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8; 1 Jn. 3:16-18; 4:7-8.

 

 

SUMMARY:

1) The law of Christ does not justify us, but is essential for sanctification.

2) The Spirit of Christ is the power to live by the law of Christ.

3) Major on love.