Like the woman whose husband has died is "loosed from the law
of her husband," so the believer, having been crucified with Christ, has
been "loosed from the law" by the sacrifice of Christ. The Son of God
fulfilled the righteous demands of God's holy law for us by his obedience
in life. He satisfied the justice of God revealed in the law by his
obedience unto death as our Substitute. This is the universal testimony
of Scripture - "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." "Ye also are
become dead to the law by the body of Christ," "Christ is the end of the
law for righteousness." "After that faith is come, we are no longer' under
the law." I defy anyone to find a solitary text of Scripture in the New
Testament that uses the law to motivate, inspire, regulate, or even guide
the believer. Believers are motivated by love, inspired by gratitude,
regulated by grace, and guided by the Holy Spirit. The whole Word of
God, the complete revelation of his will is our law. Our lives are
governed by love. not by fear. We walk by faith, not by legislation. We
walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh (Rom. 8:9-14; Gal. 3:3).
Scott Richardson is pastor of
Katy Baptist Church
Fairmont, WV