The Law of Christ

What is the Law Of Christ? What’s my responsibility to it? Did Christ take care of the law of sin and death only to saddle us with another set of rules? Is it simply from one standard to another?

Here’s The Word :

Galatians 5:17- 6: 2 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This is a bit more Scripture than I usually post but there’s a few things worth pointing out: Firstly, look at 5:19 – 21. These are things that had a definite law(or laws) against them and the passage deals at length on the idea that these things extend from the sinful nature of the flesh which we, who are now in Christ, are no longer under the dominion of (all though it still has influence because we're still flesh).
However, notice the transition; not only from natural things to spiritual things expressly, but the heart of these two contrary laws. Galatians 5:26 goes into the root of where these fleshly expressions come from – sin’s prideful, selfish desires. James 4:1-3 emphasizes how the selfish nature causes friction. BUT the heart of the spirit aligned with Christ in love has different desires.

Think of runners on a running trail. Often times you come upon a runner who’s not as fast or not paying attention or for a myriad of reasons, they just end up ‘in your way’. The usual ‘modus operandi’ when it comes to these runners is to find the quickest way around them so you don’t lose your own stride. This example is not to make runners feel like they’re doing something wrong. It’s to simply help us examine ourselves – or as it says in Hebrews 10:24- to spur one another on to good works.
We have to consider our flesh’s tendency to revert to being self-focused when ‘the law of Christ’ urges us to be ‘other’ focused. Bearing another’s burdens is not simply a call to be tolerant or emotionally suppressive in regards to the personality of others, it’s to realize the reality of spiritual warfare. This passage doesn't assume differing maturity levels, it assumes that you're just as much at risk as the other believer. As long as we are flesh, we have to realize that the struggle will STAY real. People who love Christ just as much as you do are still tempted in ways that you may have overcome. They still have fears and weaknesses that you may find elementary.
Thing is, Scripture urges your two-fold response; first, don’t be high-minded. Be thankful that God has considered your estate and has grown you to a place where you can be of good use to another believer. Secondly, don’t assume your help as trivial. Don’t excuse the real spiritual struggle that has the believer in their predicament. Demeaning their plight puts you at immediate risk for being overcome as well. With this mind, you are equipped and encouraged to help RESTORE. Restore what? Sin separates, but God forgives. Forgiveness is not an end unto itself, but it's the avenue that restores right fellowship with God. This is exactly what Christ did for us, hence, the law of Christ.

The Bible is not contradictory – although it does tell us to work out our OWN salvation –Philippians 2:12, We’re in this together communally, and we learn to follow Christ with the help of believers who are stronger when we are weak. Thanks be to God that we don’t have the old law to try and shoulder but something way better. The power of the spirit to fulfil the law of Christ.

In Him,
Cros