Avoiding the Yoke of Slavery

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

I recently heard a definition for sin that was new to me, but perfectly defines the religious. Sin is "the indulgence of the flesh through the pursuit of religion." The indulgence of the flesh is normally used to describe the ungodly and their violations of God's law. As Paul laid out in Galatians 5:19-21, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." But, do we consider that the opposite of what Paul describes can be a form of indulging the flesh? Trying to live your life restraining yourself from engaging in these acts can be considered a sin because the focus is still on your flesh. In this case, a person needs to subject themselves to some form of law to guide them on how best to restrain their flesh. As usual, this can lead to a confrontation between those who do not believe Christians are under the law and those that do. What follows is a conversation between myself and a lady who believed we are under some form of law. 

To give this context, I had responded to another individual which is the first comment below. Then, the conversation begins with this lady's reply to my comment. 

Me:  Once we come to Jesus Christ by faith, the law has done its work. We can now live in a trusting and dependent relationship on the indwelling Holy Spirit instead of trusting and depending on laws designed to manage our flesh.

Her:  Is this what we see in how people in churches behave towards one another? Or is everyone merely trusting the Holy Spirit being freed from the laws of how to treat others regardless of how they actually do? Secondly, why did Peter warn us about lawless people in 2 Peter 3:17?

Me:  I don't know what others see, but what I have experienced with people in the church is that they are attempting to live lives of obedience and repentance to some form of law and failing. The idea of trusting in the Holy Spirit is foreign to them. To them, it is either law or licentiousness. They have no idea of the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. And this leads to your second question. The people I am talking about are lawless. They are the ones trying to live under the law and thus, they are lawless because they are disobedient to its demands. The law demands perfection, not our best effort. The "error of the lawless" Peter warns against are the legalists, the ones focused on modifying their flesh through keeping the law. The "secure position" we are warned against falling from is going from a life of living by grace through faith to one of law through works. It is why we see Christians judging and condemning each other for their perceived "disobedience." The law was God's contribution to man's best effort to be like Him and is of no use without having somebody to compare ourselves to. All Christians focus on is each other's behavior (are you giving, going to church, overcoming sin, etc) and whether or not they will be blessed or cursed by God. It is as if the New Covenant doesn't exist. They measure their relationship with God by how well they are doing under the commands put on them by their church and other Christians, not from God. Grace and Peace.

Her: I think you have really changed what Peter said here to something quite different than his intension. In a verse or so before he writes, "Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight." He writes make every effort. He does not write "live a life of grace with no effort on your part." The lawless ones are those who do not do the commandments of Christ which Jesus himself says are a light burden and an easy load. But it is not NO burden and NO load. The law, by the way, does not demand perfection. It is a guide for those who need a guide. That is, the law says treat others as you would like to be treated. The secure position of one of being in Christ and saved but always in danger of falling away from that secure position. The Bible actually says the Law of the Lord is good, converting the soul. David loved God's law. It changes the heart.

Me:  I believe making every effort is not evidence that we are under the law. It is making every effort not to fall prey to those demanding you live a life under the law. If we engage in law-keeping, then we will not be found spotless and blameless if God were to judge us by that standard. We are already spotless and blameless because of our faith in Christ (Colossians 1:22). Yes, the law does demand perfection (Deuteronomy 28:1; Joshua 1:8; Matthew 5:48, Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). One under the law would think that salvation can be lost because if it depends on our obedience and repentance to law, then we are all doomed and Christ's work on our behalf was pointless. The Law is for the lost not for Christians (1 Timothy 1:8-10). The law is to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24) not to lead us as Christians. Anyway, if you want to live under the law and by your works, please be my guest. We just have different views of Christian life. Pray for me if you disagree and I will pray for you. Grace and Peace.

Her: I don't think Jesus is exalted in legalism, as clever as that sounds.

Me: No, He taught the law to show us our sinfulness so we would recognize our need for the grace and mercy of God.

Her: Actually He wanted us to do justly towards others and gave details. Do not murder wasn’t given so we would understand ourselves better but to prevent murder.

Me: But, yet the Jews, whom the law was for, murdered people all the time (i.e. Stephen, Paul persecuted Christians, and giving false testimony to have Jesus crucified). Love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10) not obedience to it. When I am loving someone as Jesus is loving me, I won't be sinning against them, much less murdering them. Besides, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:21-22)." Have you ever been angry with a brother or sister? Have you ever called anyone a fool? If so, you are subject to judgment and in danger of the fire of hell. 

This is where it had ended. I hope this illustrates what it is like to stand for the grace of God with those who try to steal our liberty in Christ, try to make us fall from our secure standing in the Lord, and desire to put us under the bondage of the law. Stand firm in the freedom to which you have been called.