Cecily Zamora
The law of Christ is to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Christians are to obey the law of Christ, and this is not about remembering the commandments in the Old Testament Law but about focusing on loving God and others. Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, and his sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to save. Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law but under the law of Christ. This law of Christ is fulfilled by loving God and loving others, and it is not about legalistically obeying a series of commandments but about expressing love and gratitude.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Love God | Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength |
| Love your neighbour | Love your neighbour as yourself |
| Carry each other's burdens | Help those weighed down or menaced by some burden or threat |
| Avoidance of sin | Overcome sin out of love for God and others |
| Faith | Have faith that God will supply the Spirit of Christ |
| Joy | Battle against pride and self-exaltation to keep the windows of fellowship open to the Spirit of joy |
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What You'll Learn
Love God and your neighbour
Loving God and your neighbour is at the core of the entire Old Testament Law. Christians are to obey the law of Christ, which is to love God with all of our being and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
Jesus reveals that these two commandments are so united that they cannot be separated. In Mark 12:28–31, Jesus states:
> The most important [commandment] is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.
The critical work that reflects love for God is faith in Christ. As Jesus says in John 6:29, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Our faith in Christ is manifest by an attitude of dependence on Him and actions of obedience to Him.
However, we may unintentionally neglect what Jesus points to – to love your neighbour. We should consider loving our neighbours where we live, work, study and play. Many of us who declare our devotion to Christ would humbly confess how poorly we love our neighbours. We may not even know their names, nor know much about their lives.
Loving your neighbour is not a program, but an attempt to reveal God’s unprecedented love. The display of God’s love through human instruments is often a bridge to revealing Jesus and His gospel.
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Avoid sin
The law of Christ is to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. As such, the avoidance of sin is to be accomplished out of love for God and others.
Sin is defined by the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church as "missing the mark", or "failure to hit the target". It is also described as "lawlessness", "transgression of the law", and "disobedience", or "rebellion". In the New Testament, sin is viewed as "a power to which human beings are subject, and against which they need to be redeemed".
Sin is often associated with a lack of faith. In Romans 14:23, Paul writes, "Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." Similarly, in Galatians 3:22, Paul states that "the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
To avoid sin, one must recognize and confront it. This involves understanding the commandments and teachings of Jesus, as well as recognizing the value of Jesus' sacrifice and responding with love, gratitude, and obedience. It is important to remember that our motivation for overcoming sin should be love, not a desire to legalistically obey a series of commandments.
Additionally, Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and to be alert to those who are weighed down or facing threats, offering help and support. By doing so, they fulfill the law of Christ.
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Bear one another's burdens
The law of Christ is to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This is supported by various scriptures in the New Testament, such as Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:23-25, and Ephesians 2:15. In Galatians 6:2, it is stated that "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".
While the Bible does not specifically define the law of Christ, it is understood by most Bible teachers to be the greatest commandments as stated by Jesus in Mark 12:28–31:
> "The most important [commandment] is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
To bear one another's burdens is to come alongside a struggling individual and help ease the weight of their trial or temptation. This can be illustrated by the example of a man staggering under a heavy load, who is aided by a brother who rushes to his aid, lifting part of the burden and allowing the struggling man to carry on.
It is important to note that bearing one another's burdens does not mean assuming responsibility for someone else's behavior or their total provision. Instead, it is about providing support and encouragement to help others through their struggles. This can be achieved through selfless giving and responsible boundary-setting.
By helping each other with our troubles, we truly obey the law of Christ. This is further emphasized in Romans 13:8–10:
> "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
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Obey the law
Obeying the law of Christ is a central tenet of Christianity. The law of Christ is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself. This is derived from Mark 12:28–31, where Jesus states:
> The most important [commandment] is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.
Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. He and his followers lived in a way that the Hebrew Scriptures had spoken about since the beginning. Jesus stayed true to God through every test, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.
Christians are to obey the law of Christ, which is to love God and love others. This is not about checking off a list of commands but about expressing love and gratitude through obedience.
Paul writes in Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." This means that if a fellow Christian is weighed down or threatened by some burden, we should be alert and do something to help.
The law of Christ is not easy, but it is achievable because when we are weak, Christ is strong. Through faith, God supplies the Spirit of Christ, and through the Spirit, we produce the fruit of love. By trusting in him, we will fulfil his law of love.
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Forgive others
Forgiving others is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. In the Bible, God is portrayed as merciful and forgiving, and he calls on believers to seek forgiveness and extend it to others. This is reflected in the Lord's Prayer, where believers ask for forgiveness as they forgive those who have wronged them.
Forgiveness is also presented as a commandment from God. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus instructs his followers to forgive others if they wish to be forgiven by God. This principle of reciprocity is further emphasised in Mark 11:25, where Jesus says, "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Forgiveness is deeply intertwined with our relationship with God. By forgiving others, we reflect God's character and demonstrate our love for Him. It also facilitates reconciliation and restores broken relationships, as described by the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
Additionally, forgiveness is not about excusing or forgetting the offense. Instead, it is a conscious decision to let go of resentment and anger. As humans, we may struggle with the idea of forgiveness, especially when we have been deeply hurt. By drawing strength from God's love and grace, we can navigate the complexities of our emotions and interactions.
Lastly, forgiveness promotes emotional and spiritual health. Holding onto grudges and resentment can lead to bitterness and emotional bondage. By choosing to forgive, we free ourselves from the grip of negative emotions and experience healing and freedom.
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Frequently asked questions
The law of Christ is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself.
By loving God and loving others, we fulfill the law of Christ. Our motivation should be love, not legalistic obedience.
When Christians are weighed down by burdens or threats, we should be alert and quick to help, thus fulfilling the law of Christ.
Jesus fulfills the law by obeying it perfectly and becoming the key person through whom God heals all humanity and creation.
