What does "not under the law" mean for Christian freedom and responsibility? Living by the Spirit, Not Under the Law – Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Two Realms: Law vs. Spirit • Law: God’s perfect standard revealed through Moses; exposes sin but cannot empower obedience (Romans 3:20). • Spirit: God Himself indwelling believers, producing in us what the law demanded but could not supply (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:2-4). • “Under the law” describes those seeking right standing with God through performance; “led by the Spirit” describes those already justified by faith in Christ (Galatians 2:16). Freedom in Christ: What It Is • Freedom from condemnation – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1-2). • Freedom from the curse of the law – Christ “became a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). • Freedom from sin’s dominion – “Sin shall not be your master, for you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). • Freedom to serve in love – “You were called to freedom… through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Freedom Is Not Lawlessness • The moral character of God has never changed; what was sin under the law remains sin today (1 Peter 1:15-16). • The Spirit writes that same moral law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). • Freedom removes external compulsion and replaces it with internal transformation (2 Corinthians 3:3, 17-18). Responsibilities Under Grace 1. Follow the Spirit’s leading daily (Romans 8:14). 2. Put to death the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 8:13). 3. Bear the Spirit’s fruit – love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). 4. Use freedom to build others up, never to trip them up (1 Corinthians 8:9; 10:23-24). 5. Uphold the law’s righteous requirements by walking according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4). Key Cross-References • John 8:36 – “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Your body is a temple; glorify God. • James 1:25 – The “perfect law of freedom” leads to blessing for the doer. • Titus 2:11-14 – Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live godly lives. Putting It All Together • “Not under the law” means believers are no longer under its condemnation or its powerless system of self-effort. • The indwelling Spirit liberates us to joyfully fulfill God’s moral will from the inside out. • True Christian freedom always carries the responsibility to love God and neighbor, displaying the character of Christ in everyday life. |
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