What is the Law of Christ?

Introduction

We’ve heard of the law of Moses (famously summarized in the 10 commandments) but what is the law of Christ?

The term is found twice in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 teaches us that while we are not under the Law of Moses we are indeed under the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 simply says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

The Role of Moses’ Law

There are many debates about how much the Law of Moses applies to Christians today. Some scholars divide Moses’ law into 3 parts – Moral (e.g. the Ten Commandments), Ceremonial (e.g. animal sacrifices etc.) and Civil (e.g. rules concerning the nation of Israel).  This is a helpful framework and, while it is obvious from the New Testament that the ceremonial and civil laws no longer apply to us, where does the moral law fit in?  

There are at least two views on that subject. One view states that the moral law is still applicable to us. The second declares that none of the Mosaic law is applicable to us but rather the law of Christ. Jesus simply states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17). 

It is imperative to understand, that whatever of Moses’ Law (or Christ’s law for that matter) applies to us today, it can in no way offer us justification or righteousness before God.  Romans 10:4 declares, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  And 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us that only by faith in Jesus can we be made righteous before a holy God. 

Definitions

If you take the second view of the moral law (which I myself lean towards) then we still need to define what the law of Christ is. Yes, Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses but He did not abolish it. There are still rules that apply to the Christian! 

Bible Commentator, William MacDonald, defines it this way, “The Law of Christ includes all the commandments of the Lord Jesus for His people found in the New Testament.” Scholar, Douglas Moo, similarly writes, “The Law of Christ is Paul’s way of stating the demand of God that is binding on Christians since the coming of Christ.” 

The Law of Christ

So, the law of Christ seems to be the rule of life that He and the Apostles laid down for Christians. Among other rules given in the New Testament, nine of the Ten Commandments are re-iterated. Only the keeping of the Sabbath is left open for debate. Douglas Moo explains, “The OT Law is not to be abandoned… but interpreted and applied in light of its fulfillment by Christ.”

On one hand, the law of Christ is more intense than the Old Testament Law. For an example read the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says such things as, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:43-44). On the other hand, John can say, “…His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3). 

Love Fulfills the Law

The Law of Christ is also deeply connected to love: 

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40). 

Jesus later tells His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34). Finally, Paul, in full agreement, joyfully says, “…love is the fulfilling of the law.” (see Romans 13:8-10, see also James 2:8). 

To fulfill the law is no longer a grievous thing and it is no longer a thing we do in our own strength. We are motivated by love, empowered by grace and energized by the Holy Spirit! 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the law of Christ (as defined by MacDonald and Moo) is what we are to obey today as followers of Christ and we do so in love and by love. The law of Moses was our guardian to bring us to Christ but, to paraphrase Moo, we are no longer bound to the law of Moses, we are bound to Christ, the fulfiller of the law.