So if we walk in love and treat people accordingly, we will not do any harm of any kind

By Greg Holt

“¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”  Galatians 3:13

If there is a verse that can clear up the law vs. grace controversy, this is the one.  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law – that’s pretty clear I think.

But so many despite our covering by grace through Christ seem to want to re-enslave themselves to the law.  Why?  I wish I had an answer.

Legalism unfortunately abounds in the Church.  The problem with that is basically two-fold.

• Christ came to free us from the law according to Scripture
• The “new” law if you will goes even further than the old Mosaic Law and is much more effective

The law accomplished two things:

• It defines what sin is
• It points us to Jesus Christ

The law is yet in effect, but the believer is not subject to it.  Many have troubles understanding this admittedly complex issue.  But it really doesn’t have to be complex at all.

The new “law” is the law of love.  If we are truly following the two commandments that Jesus laid down for us as the most important, then we will surpass the law and do no harm to anyone.

“³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40

The focus of my comment above is of course the second commandment. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” your “neighbor” is meant to be understood as everyone, not just the people next door or the people you like.  So if we walk in love and treat people accordingly, we will not do any harm of any kind.

No killing, no stealing, no lying, no gossiping, no affairs, no sex outside of marriage, no child abuse, no abortions, no drug trade, no alcohol abuse, no unrighteous anger, no violence, no racism, no porn, no false doctrine, no self serving churches – NO HARM – period.

Notice that Christ also said that on these two commandments hang ALL the law and the prophets.

The law was a schoolmaster, but Christ is the Dean of students, the president of the university, the provost, the principle – the top official, the author of the faith (Hebrews 12:2).

“²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”    Galatians 3:24

“¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. ¹¹ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.“  Galatians 3:10-11

We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) through faith not law.  God resists the proud, but to the humble He grants more grace (James 4:6-8) with the promise that if we draw closer to Him, He will draw closer to us.

Hebrews 4:16
Ephesians 4:7
Titus 3:7
2 Peter 1:2
Acts 20:32
Romans 3:20-24