THE FREEDOM THAT COMES FROM THE LAW OF GOD

During the Inter-Testamental period, the rise of the Pharisaical sect, redefined the Mosaic law. They interpreted the law differently to what Moses prescribed and made it a works based religion. This therefore implies that God was not gracious and expected His people to be legalistic.

However, without a careful study of the Scriptures, it’s easy to miss the heart of God in the Old Testament and one could easily view the law in a negative way.

The question is, what was the purpose of the law? And how should New Testament Christians obey the law of God? 

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW 

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Galatians 3:19 ESV

Since, the fall of man, God has always dealt with man with grace but at some point in history He brought the law to expose and restrain sin (Romans 5:20). 

That time in redemptive history was four hundred and thirty years after the promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:17). As a result, the law was established to act as a guardian until the promise was fulfilled.

The Promise to Abraham or the Covenant of Grace was sealed by Divine oath (Genesis 15:18). Therefore, Abraham’s life of faith was a pattern of life for those who will inherit the blessings of Christ through faith.

We should bear in mind that the Covenant of Grace was valid during the temporal era of the Mosaic law. That’s why the sacrificial system served as an avenue of God’s grace for the people to live by faith and not by the works of the law. Consequently, the law was not given to attain righteousness but as a life of holiness (Exodus 19:5-6).

Before the law, the Patriarchs lived by faith, during the time of the Mosaic law, the remnants lived by faith and when the covenant or promise was fulfilled in Christ, Christians are to live by faith through the Spirit (Hebrews 11:8-10). The important thing to know is that the law should be received by faith.

Although, the law exposes and restrain sin. On a positive note, the law revealed the character of God and a way to live a holy life (Psalm 119:11). Therefore, the right view of the law is to love God and His commandments (John 14:15). The Law of God cannot be separated from the Person and love of God. 

In the final analysis, we can conclude that God promised that freedom will only come through faith in Christ. Therefore, God contained and prepared His church under the law until the right time for his Son to bring glory to Him and rescue many.

THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW 

Although, the law was holy and true it didn’t make anyone righteous (Romans 3:20). However, it always perform its duties by condemning sinners and show them that their nature is powerless to obey it’s perfect demands (Romans 7:7-24).

Interestingly, the law was not in conflict with the promise but a servant to it in the Gospel of Grace (Romans 3:21-22). The crucial question is, how do we reconcile the law and the promise?

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 ESV

Jesus was the promised Offspring of Abraham, born under the law and became a curse on behalf of those who will trust in the Son (Galatians 3:16).

Since, the law was subsequent to the sealed Covenant of Grace. It was reconciled by the object of the covenant who is Christ. He fulfilled the law and atoned for sin (Galatians 3:13-14). Jesus Christ was the one who suffered the punishment for our sins and He is our perfection before God.

The perfect wisdom of God was always that the righteous will live by faith. The father of the called out ones Abraham believed in the Gospel and lived by faith (Galatians 3:8).

“Believers have in redemptive historical terms, transitioned from an era of being heirs but slaves, to a new epoch of being mature sons who enjoy the presence of the Spirit of adoption and use Jesus’s mode of address to God as they cry, “ABBA! FATHER!”. 

Sinclair Ferguson - ‘The Whole Christ’ page 148.

THE LAW OF CHRIST 

Since, the law was fulfilled in Christ and this consists of the ceremonial, civil and moral law. The question is how do we live by faith and at the same time obey the law of God. 

Well, a Christian should stand on the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hence, Christ’s perfect obedience and atonement on our behalf gives righteousness for a new and living way of walking with God. 

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:13-14 & 18 ESV

Paul’s reason for writing a letter to the Galatians was due to the false teachings of legalism. After, his arguments in the previous verses he tells them that they have been called into freedom through Christ. 

Christians are free to obey the Law of Christ or to put it another way, the Law of Liberty. We can conclude that the new covenant answer to the fulfilment of the law is to love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40).

Those who are free from the curse of the law are granted liberty to live according to the law of Christ with the help of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The renewed heart delights in the Law of Christ (Psalm 119:35,48-48). However, believers do not attain sinless perfection but desire to walk by the Spirit through faith in Christ. The law of God is written in the hearts of God’s children. As a consequence, the fruit of a transformed heart is a lover of God and His perfect law (Psalm 119:97, John 14:15). Amazingly, there is freedom that comes from the Law of God in Christ.