Approaching the Law as a Christian in Practice

The concept of law in Christianity is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's will and commandments. The Hebrew word "torah" (law) emphasizes the moral authority of God's teachings, guiding individuals in the right way, while the Greek "nomos" (law) highlights its constraining power as imposed and enforced by a recognized authority ^[2].

For Christians, the law is not merely a set of rules but is intricately linked with their faith and relationship with God. The Mosaic law, in particular, is seen as a significant expression of God's will, although its application and interpretation vary across different Christian traditions. According to Calvin, the law is not just about rudiments or first principles of righteousness but guides the perfect performance of good works ^[7].

The Role of the Law in Christian Life

The law plays a crucial role in the Christian life, serving as a guide for righteous living. It is considered a royal law, as referenced in James 2:8, which commands believers to love their neighbors as themselves ^[13]. This principle is echoed in the teachings of Paul, who summarizes the law's requirements in the command to love one's neighbor (Romans 13:9). Calvin interprets this as an indication that believers are bound to love their enemies just as they love their friends, underlining the law's emphasis on love ^[9].

Freedom from the Law through Christ

A central tenet of Christian doctrine is that believers are freed from the law through Christ. This freedom is not a license to sin but liberation from the law's condemnation, allowing believers to live under the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21) ^{[3, 4]}. According to Calvin, Christian liberty involves rising above the law to seek justification before God, not through works but through faith in Christ ^[8]. This concept is supported by Paul's writings, where he states that the law is a tutor to bring believers unto Christ, that they might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24) ^[5].

The Law and Righteousness

Righteousness is closely tied to obedience to God's law. The Psalmist and Paul both affirm that righteousness is achieved through obedience to the law (Deuteronomy 6:25; Romans 10:5) ^[6]. However, the Christian understanding is that Christ has fulfilled the law, and through Him, believers are made righteous. As Hodge notes, Christ was made under the law and fulfilled all righteousness, thereby bringing believers into a right standing with God ^[11].

Practical Application

In practice, Christians are called to live in accordance with God's law, not out of obligation but as an expression of their love for God and their neighbors. This involves a diligent pursuit of righteousness, not through legalism, but through faith in Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. As Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights, diligence is required in seeking God, obeying Him, and cultivating Christian graces ^[1].

The tension between the law and the Christian's freedom in Christ is a recurring theme. While the law provides a moral framework, Christians are not bound by its letter but are guided by the Spirit. Augustine's reflection on the law and sin underscores the complexity of this relationship, noting that the law, while good, can increase the desire for sin if not accompanied by the grace of God ^[12].

Tradition and Interpretation

Different Christian traditions interpret the law and its application in varying ways. The Reformed tradition, following Calvin, emphasizes the law's role in guiding believers toward Christ and righteousness. The Catholic tradition, as represented by Aquinas, views the New Law as primarily the grace of the Holy Ghost given through faith in Christ ^[10].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Law — The word is properly used, in Scripture as elsewhere, to express a definite commandment laid down by any recognized authority; but when the word is used with the article, and without any words of limitation, it refers to the expressed will to God, and in nine cases out of ten to the Mosaic law, or to the Pentateuch of which it forms the chief portion. The Hebrew word torah (law) lays more stress on its moral authority, as teaching the truth and guiding in the right way; the Greek nomos (law), on its constraining power as imposed and enforced by a recognized auth”
1 Corinthians “to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. -- 1 Corinthians 9:21”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 9:21 (LEB) — To those outside the law I became as outside the law (although I am not outside the law of God, but subject to the law of Christ) in order that I may gain those outside the law.”
Galatians “Galatians 3:24 (ASV) — So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness — Is obedience to God's law -- De 6:25; Ro 10:5; Lu 1:6; Ps 1:2. God loves -- Ps 11:7. God looks for -- Isa 5:7. Christ Is the Son of. -- Mal 4:2. Loves. -- Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9. Was girt with. -- Isa 11:5. Put on, as breast-plate. -- Isa 59:17. Was sustained by. -- Isa 59:16. Preached. -- Ps 40:9. Fulfilled all. -- Mt 3:15. Is made to his people. -- 1Co 1:30. Is the end of the law for. -- Ro 10:4. Has brought in everlasting. -- Da 9:24. Shall judge with. -- Ps 72:2; Isa 11:4; Ac 17:31; Re 19:11. Shall reign in. -- Ps 45:6; Isa 32:1; Heb 1:8. Shall execute.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: faith unfeigned are placed at the head, in other words, true piety; and that from this charity is derived. It is a mistake then to suppose, that merely the rudiments and first principles of righteousness are delivered in the Law, to form, as it were, a kind of introduction to good works, and not to guide to the perfect performance of them. For complete perfection, nothing more can be required than is expressed in these passages of Moses and Paul. How far, pray, would he wish to go, who is not satisfied with the instruction which di”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 74: be not understood, neither Christ, nor the truth of the Gospel, nor the inward peace of the soul, is properly known. Our endeavor must rather be, while not suppressing this very necessary part of doctrine, to obviate the absurd objections to which it usually gives rise. 2. Christian liberty seems to me to consist of three parts. First, the consciences of believers, while seeking the assurance of their justification before God, must rise above the law, and think no more of obtaining justification by it. For while the law, as has alr”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: allow stealing of any description, whether from a friend or an enemy,” (August. Lib. de Doctr. Christ). Now, these two commandments, “Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not commit adultery,” Paul brings under the rule of love; nay, he says that they are briefly comprehended in this saying, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” ( Rom. 13:9 ). Therefore, Paul must either be a false interpreter of the Law, or we must necessarily conclude, that under this precept we are bound to love our enemies just as our friends. Those, then, sh”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Law of the Gospel, Called the New Law, Considered in Itself, Art. 1: Article: Whether the New Law is a written law? I answer that, "Each thing appears to be that which preponderates in it," as the Philosopher states (Ethic. ix, 8). Now that which is preponderant in the law of the New Testament, and whereon all its efficacy is based, is the grace of the Holy Ghost, which is given through faith in Christ. Consequently the New Law is chiefly the grace itself of the Holy Ghost, which is given to those who believe in”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 127: § 2. He was made under the Law. The humiliation of Christ included also his being made under the law. The law to which Christ subjected Himself was, (1.) The law given to Adam as a covenant of works; that is, as prescribing perfect obedience as the condition of life. (2.) The Mosaic law which bound the chosen people. (3.) The moral law as a rule of duty. Christ was subject to the law in all these aspects, in that He assumed the obligation to fulfil all righteousness, i.e ., to do everything which the law in all its forms demanded. This s”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 5.--AS THE WICKED MAKE AN ILL USE OF THE LAW, WHICH IS GOOD, SO THE GOOD MAKE A GOOD USE OF DEATH, WHICH IS AN ILL.: The apostle, wishing to show how hurtful a thing sin is, when grace does not aid us, has not hesitated to say that the strength of sin is that very law by which sin is prohibited. "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law."(1) Most certainly true; for prohibition increases the desire of illicit action, if righteousness is not so loved that the desire of sin is conquered by that love. But unless”
James (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on James 2:8: The apostle, having condemned the sin of those who had an undue respect of persons, and having urged what was sufficient to convict them of the greatness of this evil, now proceeds to show how the matter may be mended; it is the work of a gospel ministry, not only to reprove and warn, but to teach and direct. Col 1:28, Warning every man, and teaching every man. And here, I. We have the law that is to guide us in all our regards to men set down in general. If you fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, you do well, ”

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