Who Is Under the Law?

Who Is Under the Law?

“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle’ . . . .” Col. 2:20-21.

Those who have not died with Christ need such regulations. What does it mean to have died with Christ? This is explained further in Colossians 3:1-3. Then our mind is set on things above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, and not on things on the earth. Then we have forsaken everything.

Someone who has died doesn’t own anything; neither does he make any demands. When we in spite of this fact possess quite a number of earthly things, they have been added to us—not to possess them, but to be stewards over them.

If there is a message about generosity, those who “possess” something come under the law. They feel pressured to give more. Someone who has died with Christ does not feel this pressure. He has nothing to give away, but he has something over which he is a steward. He may be a more or less lazy or bad steward. As stewards, we need to be awakened and exhorted. There may be certain areas which we have neglected completely, or partly, and so we need to be awakened. If we are to give more in one area, there must necessarily be less in other areas if it is true that we have forsaken everything and are only stewards. Acts 6:1-3.

The person who tithes has not died with Christ; therefore he can promise to give more because he owns nine tenths from which he can give. He comes under the law when he hears about generosity. Jesus did not come to give one tenth; He came to serve and give His life.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live . . . .” Gal. 2:20. This was Paul’s testimony. The person who does not live for himself cannot come under the law, yet he needs to be exhorted. Even though we have forsaken everything, we have forsaken it in our heart and mind; nevertheless, we still have a flesh in which dwells nothing good. Rom. 7:18. Paul also exhorts those who have died with Christ: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Col. 3:5.

There is growth and development in Christ; but we are not in Christ unless we have forsaken everything. Then we can grow in all the virtues of Christ. “Against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23. Our stewardship becomes more perfect as we grow in the virtues of Christ, and we also have the exhortation to go on to perfection and to press on to perfection. Heb. 6:1; Phil. 3:12.

The earthly things over which God has made us stewards are a test of our attitude of mind; they are therefore of the greatest significance. We cannot be along with Christ and judge the world if we cannot even judge things that pertain to this life. 1 Cor. 6:2-3; Luke 16:9-12.

When we inherit together with Christ we shall possess something of our own. Rom. 8:17. These are true treasures which we shall keep for all eternity. Sooner or later we must leave all earthly treasures which we now have; therefore they are not true treasures. If we have not come to faith in Christ, we will be under constant pressure when mention is made of giving up and giving away. The rich man went away sorrowful. It was impossible for him to follow Jesus and keep his treasures. Neither is it possible today. Matt. 19:21-24.