1 Corinthians 9:19-21 & Galatians 6:2

Last Sunday we undertook to understand the teaching of Galatians 2 and the fact and the implications of the Christian in this dispensation being dead to the Law of Moses and being instead Christ being alive in the believer. Today we are going to begin exploring what it means to be alive in Christ. And part of that is that though the “me” and “you” that, along with Paul, is dead to the Law of Moses, the new me and you (now Sons of God) are  very much alive to God’s Law, and that is the Law of Christ. In other words, we’re not lawless as Sons of God, but we are under a new law code, or principle.

A biblical law code is a set of rules issued by God to a specific group of people, for a specific time or age. It is binding on that specified group alone; and they are aware that it is binding. The law codes are based on the character of God, applied uniquely to the people under them. To violate the law code that is currently in effect is to commit a trespass against God, which is a sin to do. but it is important to note that it is not trespass to violate a law in a previous (or future) law code.

So for example, Adam was not required to circumcise his sons, nor celebrate communion. Adam and Eve could wear mixed fabrics if they so chose. Abraham did need to circumcise his sons but could eat shrimp to his heart’s content. Moses did circumcise his sons, could not wear mixed fabrics, nor eat shellfish, but he could eat any fruit he wanted to, unlike Adam. Cain was not executed for murdering his brother (Gen 4). Peter was allowed to “kill and eat” any formerly unclean animal (Acts 10).

Why? Because they were all under different law codes or principles.

So is lobster back on the menu? Yes. Is circumcision a thing of the past? Yes. Can I make my daughter a prostitute, can I commit adultery, can I murder or lie? Nooooo. But wait!? Aren’t we then arbitrarily selecting which laws to keep? I never said we’re not under any law. I said we are not under the Law of Moses. Jesus gave us a new and elevated law code. Our text this morning clearly states it.