Suggested Reading: Romans 8:1-17

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death—Romans 8:1-2

We have a Christian obligation to live under and in the liberty Christ has secured for us and to example this kind of living to others who may not know what this kind of life(style) is like. Too many Christians are still living under the Law which Christ completed on the Cross of Calvary. Using the Old Covenant and Books of Law as their manual for living life, attending places where they hear nothing but Law and condemnation, absent of and sparce in the grace and mercy of God. We are to follow the Commands of God and do our best to keep and honor them, but we are not people locked into the Levitical laws we read and learn in the Books of Law.

When Christ hung on the cross one of his very last words was, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) What did he mean? Certainly, that he had done everything his Father sent him to do, of course his mission had been completed, fully accomplished, but especially that he had fulfilled the requirement of the Law. Remember God said without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). Through one man (Adam) came death but through one man (Jesus) came life (Romans 5:12). Christ fulfilled the letter of the Law so we would not have to suffer and die for our sin. We will all have to experience a physical death; there is no way around that, but we will not have to remain dead, we will not have to pay the penalty of our sin, but through Christ’s suffering and death we can now live eternally. Through him our sins have been forgiven. That deserves a “Hallelujah.” It deserves to be highlighted in our lives and celebrated so all to see and know the joy and freedom we have.

Now, as people who have placed their faith in the saving work of Christ, our only obligation is to example our faith and share what we know with an unbelieving and doubting world. We are not to live under a death sentence but a life sentence. To speak or live under the Law is the ministration of death and this is not why Christ suffered and died, so we could live under a cloud of death, but he suffered and died in our place so we could claim life and live under the brightness of the New Covenant which is the ministration of life.

The New Covenant points us to the lavish love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God; it does not hold us to penalty and death. It points us to the compassion, not judgment of God. Some grow up hearing and being taught nothing but Law and works in order to gain heaven, yet Jesus says by faith heaven is ours, by grace and not by works so that none will be able to boast that they did it by themselves or through their works and efforts (Eph. 2:9).

I have been married to my husband for nearly fifty years. That’s a long time. I am not a young married woman any longer but past the time in life and marriage where I might be uncertain or insecure about the love we share and have, a woman who knows and has the assurance of being loved. This means I can live in that freedom. I do not abuse it but am confident and free in it.

This is how God wants us to live in his love. To know we are loved. We do not abuse that love, as Paul wrote. We know we are forgiven and live under grace, but do we sin more that God’s grace may abound more? No, of course not (Rom. 6:2). We live to please God and do what is right before him, but we also live confidently and securely. We do not have to run off and hide as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden when they sinned, no longer perfect or pure, and were not sure what would happen. Since that time God not only promised a Savior but sent his Son Jesus to die for us; he proved his love for us in that way (Rom. 5:8). Now we are free in Christ, confident in Christ.

Our Christian liberty will be one of the strongest, most convincing, and effective influences on unbelievers and even those who are living under Law and condemnation. It is our Christian duty and obligation to demonstrate before others the freedom we have been given, to example the truth that we are the finished work of Jesus on the cross, that we are joint heirs with him, and all the treasure, reward and joy of heaven is ours just as it was his. Fulfilling this Christian duty and obligation will not be a burden but a joy and blessing! Let’s Pray,

Dear God, what a great and wonderful reminder of what we have been given through Jesus our Savior. Through him and his work on the Cross of Calvary you have given us freedom; we have Christian liberty and can live this life without fear and dread of what is to come. We are free in your love and free to love, liberated from anxiety and worry, no longer restrained but can enjoy the pasture of your grace and mercy, forgiveness, and love. Help us to be examples of Christian liberty to those who don’t know or are living under Law and condemnation. May the life we live in Christ be the manifestation of life and not death. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen