Obligated to Law

There is something appealing to the idea of having a simple code of conduct to live by so we will have all the benefits accorded to those who comply. Simply do the correct things and everything will be fine, no glitches, no detractions, no worries. We all like to think we can live up to a simple code but the Bible gives us a contrasting view.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. ¹

The letter to the Galatians is quite clear that we have either freedom from the bondage of the Law in Christ or we are wholly obligated to fulfill the entire Law through our flesh. There is no middle ground, no point of compromise, no discretion or even grace if we insist upon living up to the Law. The dividing line away from the grace of God is decisive and will dominate the consequences of self-vindication. Only faith in God’s sufficient grace overcomes,

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. ²

So, while we may have imagined a simple code being easier to attain, God says only through the Spirit, by faith do we have any hope of God’s love being effective for any possibility of us living in His Grace. He then goes on to assure is is possible in the life of the Spirit:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ³

The only ability to overcome the ways of the flesh, living apart from the Law, is to live and walk in the Holy Spirit given by the LORD to all who confess, repent and agree to live according to the Spirit of God indwelling disciples. ‘If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law’ for God has provided effective righteousness by faith in exchange for a life trying to measure up to the Law.

It is a matter of the gift of Grace or the burden of Guilt. You chose.