True significance of not under law
The terminology “Not under law” has been grossly misconstrued and misapplied by most professing Christians causing many sincere and innocent believers to be deceived. The truth of the matter is, inasmuch as there can be no sin if there is no law, no one can say I have no sin or I have not sinned, righteousness has to be practiced in order to be attained, and Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, but not the end of the law of righteousness, denoting that the law of God is current and applicable as it was from the beginning.
The sad thing is that, not too many people are able to make a clear distinction between Christ being the end of the law for righteousness, and not being the end of the law of righteousness. The reason why Christ is the end of the law for righteousness is two-folds:-
1. Man`s inability to keep the whole law
For we have been instructed saying. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” And, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." (James 2:10; Galatians 3:10).
But the good news is that, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3 10-14).
According to the law, the wages of sin is death, but Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and has received the consolation saying, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin (transgress the law). And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world:” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 2:1-2;1 John 1:9).
2. Justification through the works of the law
The irony of truth is, the law brings a curse to anyone who tries to be justified by keeping it: For we have been duly instructed saying; “ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin”. Remember also that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives.
Since by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, the logical question is: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” Or, “Do we then make void the law through faith?” The unequivocal answer is, “Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 6:15; 3:31).
The same condition applies even today, and we should all be echoing the words of the psalmist David who wrote, “Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant; Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. It is time for You to act, O LORD, For they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!” (Psalms 119:124-127).
So then, what is the true connotation of the terminology, “not under law!” I think a practical physical illustration will be better able to address this issue because it is stated that, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”.
So let us consider for example the police department which represents the law, suppose they decide to carry out a general inspection on all vehicles and drivers using the road, is not every driver obligated to stop when they are asked to? The logical answer is yes. So the question is who then is not under the law? Is it not those whose vehicles are road worthy, the driver is wearing his/her seat belt, they can produce a valid driver’s license, the vehicle is insured, no narcotics or drugs are found, are they not those who can be classified as not under law? Why! Is it not because they have fulfilled the requirements of the law and are operating within the confines of the law? The answer is yes.
On the other hand those who fail in any of the requirements of the law are they not under law and can be fined, arrested, have their vehicle impounded, or their license suspended or revoked? The unequivocal answer is yes. So the question is why! It is simply because they were not operating within the stipulations or the confines of the law.
And so we have been duly instructed saying; “But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:8-11).
So then, the terminology “Not under law” applies to those who are already living within the confines of the law, for having been set free from sin they became slaves of righteousness. And, if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. So let us not fall victims to the great apostasy by giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
No comments:
Post a Comment