The law of Jesus is more dynamic than the law of Moses. I discovered that Jesus Christ did not want His followers to live a nonchalant and undisciplined lifestyle. So, He updated the law of Moses for the New Testament believers.

A lot of people do not like to hear that they are under the law. They love to quote Galatians chapter 5 verses 18: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

The translation of verse 18 in the content and context of Galatians chapter 5 is that, once you give your life to Jesus, you are no more under the sacrificial law that could condemn you to death.

Jesus was condemned for your sins and He died for your sins. Then He resurrected to give you a gracious life, which is above the sacrificial law. That does not mean you won’t be controlled by the law of Jesus Christ.

The mindset of Paul when he wrote the letter to the Galatians and others was to discourage them from embracing the Old Testament Law of Moses (such as ceremonial laws) at the detriment of Faith in Jesus Christ.

I discovered something funny about Paul; when he was in the midst of the Gentiles, he did not obey any Jewish law. But, when he was in the midst of the Jews, he obeyed the same law he told the Gentiles not to do.

He made this remark in his letter to the Corinthians. “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.”

Paul did not encourage anyone to disobey the law of Jesus Christ. The secret of Paul’s spiritual freedom from sin is attached to the faith in Christ and the obedience to the law of Jesus. Romans chapter 8 verses 2 says: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” 

7 laws of Jesus You Cannot Disregard

I agree that we are no more under the sacrificial laws, ceremonial laws and the selfish laws of the Pharisees. But, Jesus Christ who delivered us from all these laws does not want us to live an unguided or lawless lifestyle. So, it is wise for us to obey His rules.

1. Avoid Unholy Anger and Abusive Words

Anger and abusive words are prerequisite of a murder case. The law of Moses was silent about the prerequisite, but the law of Jesus did not.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 21 and 22 says: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”

2. Close Your Eyes to Lust

Jesus Christ does not approve the habit of watching pornography, sexy films or ex-rated magazines. Jesus Christ advised us to exercise self-control, which is the only way to escape the sin of adultery.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 27 and 28 say: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

He told us to cut off any part of our body if that is the only way to stop the mess. Many people thought that the statement in Matthew chapter 5 verses 29 to 30 is a proverb due to the harsh literal translation. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perishes, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perishes, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” It’s neither a proverb nor a parable. (The sharia law court got their idea from these verses.)

3. Divorce in the Law Does Not Imply Re-marriage
   

The law of Moses gave room for divorce and remarriage, but the law of Jesus did not. Jesus allows Christian to divorce their partner if and only if there is an evidence to prove the adultery.

The logical part of the law is that, both the divorced couple shall stay single for all the days of their lives. Did you ask me why? Fine! Jesus said: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.”(Luke 16:18)

This practice is common in the world, but it is against the will of the LORD.

4. Don’t Make Conversational Vow

The law of Moses allowed different forms of swearing, but the law of Jesus does not allow such anymore. Simply say “yes or no” during any form of conversation. Christians don’t lie because the devil is the father of lies. So, don’t swear to impress people.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 33 to 37 says: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne… But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

5. No More Eye For An Eye

The law of Jesus mentioned in Matthew chapter 5 verses 38 to 41 sounds too strange that many preachers and ‘bible scholars’ said that it was a proverbial statement. The content and context of the passage showed that the instruction is a direct statement and not a parable.

The motive of the law is to make every Christian a peacemaker and a non-violent person. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also…”

6. Love Your Enemies

The only way to show that you are a true child of God is when you show love to those who hate you. Malice is not an acceptable character. Matthew chapter 5 verse 43 to 45 say: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust…”

7. Don’t Blow Trumpet

If you make a public announcement of the amount of money or assets you give to the poor or for the sponsor of the Gospel, then your reward is limited to the applause you received from the crowd.

Matthew chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 says: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward… that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

When you give your life to Jesus Christ, you are no more under the bondage of sins. But, you are obliged to obey the law of Jesus stated in the Bible. The law of Jesus is to guide you to live a holy life in this sinful world. His Grace and Sacrificial Blood on the cross are not meant for living a careless life, but they are strength for you to survive a righteous life on earth.