Freedom for The Law, but not from Ought

In both his letter to the Romans and the Galatians Paul declares that Christians have been freed from the Mosaic Law by the death and resurrection of Christ. This means we are no longer bond by the food restrictions, Sabbath rules, and the observance of special feast days. Paul explains that if you continuing to observe requirements of the law, such as circumcision, "Christ shall profit you nothing." (Galatians 5:2 KJV) Paul's doctrine teaches that observance of The Law robs Christians of their freedom in Christ and life in the Spirit. In Romans 8:14 Paul tells us that, "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (KJV) And since we are led by the Spirit of God, it is that Spirit which governs our lives, not The Law.

This freedom from The Law, however, does not mean there are not some things we ought to do, and some things we ought not to do. For Paul exhorts Christians throughout his letters to the churches to live a life which exemplifies life in the Spirit. Among the things we ought to do is feeling love for one another. This love then manifests itself in how we behave. For if we love others we will not lie, steal, commit adultery, or ignore the weaknesses of others to their detriment. We will, instead, build each other up, pray for each other, comfort each other, and show respect for each other. And because we live life in the Spirit, we are filled with God's love for us, and respond in a way which proclaims our love for Him. This means we will not commit idolatry, which takes the form of pride, envy, greed, and self-indulgence. Self-indulgence includes sexual desires, which, though natural, should not be our ruler; for then we are slaves to the flesh, and no longer free in Christ.

Our freedom in Christ not only gives us freedom for The Law, it frees us from the flesh and the ways of the present evil age, and the ruler of this world, Satan. For those who live according to the desires of the flesh and the ways of the world and not free, but are slaves. And Christ bought Christians freedom from that enslavement with a very high price, his blood. Let us, therefore, not make that payment for our freedom for naught by ignoring the oughts of our life in the Spirit. We are free, but free to live a special life and the called of God. Not free to live any way we want to.

May the Grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

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