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Law of Sin & Death vs Law of Christ

Different Laws in the Old and New Covenants

The Law of Sin and Death (death, bondage, flesh).

And, the Law of Christ (love, freedom, liberty, and Spirit).

Romans 8:1-2 CSB
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, [2] because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 9:20-21 CSB
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law-though I myself am not under the law -to win those under the law. [21] To those who are without the law, like one without the law-though I am not without God's law but under the law of Christ-to win those without the law.

Galatians 6:2 CSB
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Slave or Free

Galatians 4:21-31 CSB
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. [23] But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. [24] These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written, Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. [28] Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. [30] But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” [31] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.

The Two Laws Contrasted

James 2:8-13 CSB
Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. [9] If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. [10] For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. [11] For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker. [12] Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. [13] For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Two Different Standards of Judgment

Which Law (standard) YOU use and by how much (measure) you use it will be applied at your judgment.

Matthew 7:1-2 CSB
Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. [2] For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.

Luke 6:37-38 CSB
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

So, what Law are you judging others by? The Law of Sin and Death, Or the Law of Christ (love)?

God's Wrath

So you can be under the WRATH of God…

Romans 4:14-15 CSB
If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, [15] because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Galatians 3:10-13 CSB
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. [11] Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. [12] But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

God's Love

Or you can be forgiven by his LOVE…

1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 CSB
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, [5] is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. [6] Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. [7] It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. [13] Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.

The Old and New Covenants have different laws governing them. The Law of Sin and Death governs the Old Covenant and leads to death, bondage, and flesh, while the Law of Christ governs the New Covenant and leads to love, freedom, liberty, and Spirit. If you are in Christ Jesus then you are no longer under condemnation because the law of the Spirit has set you free. The law of Christ should be obeyed and if you follow it you will be blessed. Judging others by the Law of Sin and Death brings wrath, while judging others by the law of Christ brings love. The standard and measure you use to judge others will also be applied at your own judgment.

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 15:26,56 CSB
The last enemy to be abolished is death. [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

This serves as a powerful reminder that under the Old Covenant, the Law brought about the knowledge and power of sin, which leads to death. But thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we have been set free from this Law of Sin and Death, and instead live under the Law of Christ — a law of love, freedom, and Spirit. The choice is ours to make: to live under the bondage of the old or to embrace the liberty of the new.

Questions that Challenge Your Current Understanding

  1. How does your understanding of the Law of Sin & Death differ from the Law of Christ?

  2. Reflecting on Galatians 3:10-13, how does faith in Christ liberate us from the curse of the law?

  3. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13, how has understanding God's love influenced your interactions and judgments towards others?

  4. How does the understanding of Christ's victory over death and sin reinforce your commitment to the true Gospel message?