Law and Liberty

Law and Liberty

Jesus learned obedience. Heb. 5:8. “Not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ . . . .” 1 Cor. 9:21. Through obedience the fullness of the Godhead came to dwell in Him bodily. Col. 1:19, 2:9. Thus the law was fulfilled. Matt. 5:17. This is true liberty.

The man of sin is called the lawless one. 2 Thess. 2:3, 7-8. That is bondage and fear. The One who fulfilled the law will consume him with the breath of His mouth.

There are laws for regulating traffic. If everyone obeys the traffic laws there are no collisions, but rather safety and liberty. Everyone can then travel safely, freely driving in his lane. Likewise, God has instituted laws for the planets. They maintain their orbit—they are free without colliding. There is peace and joy in fulfilling the law.

This also pertains to the church. We find our place in the church—the body—through God’s laws and commandments, and we can serve according to the grace that God gives. Then there will be no division in the body. 1 Cor. 12:25. The person who seeks anything for himself comes out of God’s law for the body, and thus out of liberty. He is always on a collision course and has great difficulties. He lives in fear and in bondage. All those who feel they are in bondage are in opposition to the law; they have neither liberty nor joy. According to their mind they are transgressors who have been deceived by the spirit of Antichrist which was already at work in the days of the apostles. 1 John 2:18, 4:3.

By and large, the spirit of Antichrist has deceived the entire religious world. In almost all the religious denominations they speak about Jesus having fulfilled the law in their place. They also speak about Jesus having borne their sins and having died in their place, omitting what the Scriptures proclaim, namely, that God did His work in Jesus “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Rom. 8:3-4. “That we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24. “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.

When religious people do not love God and yet speak about being free and under grace, the result will be accordingly. The obvious consequence is strife and division. The end result is denominations and groups with varying doctrines. This is Babel—they are scattered—the opposite of being one. This has become worse and worse down through the years. Paul’s prophecy is being fulfilled concerning the last days: “According to their own desires . . . they will heap up for themselves teachers” can be clearly seen by those who love God and keep His commandments. 2 Tim. 4:3-4.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Gal. 5:18. Of course not, for the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, the One who fulfilled the law. If you are led by the Spirit of Christ the law is being fulfilled in you.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Vs. 22-23.

Of course not! Who has ever entered this course, being led by the Spirit to live in the virtues of Christ, and feels that he is under the law? All of them are free in their race. There is no such law as: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” on this course. Col. 2:20-21. Only those who have not died with Christ must have such laws. They have no joy and no liberty. However, to those who are in the Spirit, this word applies: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” “That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless, until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.” 1 Tim. 6:11-14.

All these people run freely and rejoice in their race. They are apprehended of Christ, the One who fulfilled the law and in whom, through obedience, the fullness of the Godhead came to dwell bodily. They are apprehended of these promises and rejoice in the reward to which God has called them. 2 Pet. 1:4; Phil. 3:14.

The result is also visible among them. They become one just as the Father and the Son are one. No strife, no division, but fellowship, cleansing, growth, and joy!