Fulfilling the Law of Christ

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

Question

What’s the law of Christ? Paul doesn’t define it in this verse, but he describes how we can observe it. We do so by carrying each other’s burdens.

But I don’t recall Jesus instructing His disciples to do this. And what’s more, this notion of the law of Christ smacks of legalism. Doesn’t it conflict with the doctrine of grace which Paul stressed wherever he travelled?

John the apostle highlighted the distinction in his gospel.

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17

So what does Paul mean by the law of Christ and how are we Christians supposed to keep it?

Background

Let’s back up and start from the top.

Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to teach them (and us) how to stay saved. I realize that a lot of ministers and pastors disagree. They believe that many in the church were buying into a Jewish notion of salvation by the works of the Mosaic law. So the apostle had to remind them that God’s grace saves those who trust in Christ.

But Paul reveals his heart in the middle of the letter when he asks two questions that are more realistic than rhetorical:

“Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” – Galatians 3:3

The Galatian knew that their journey with Jesus had begun by God’s grace given by the Holy Spirit. But how do we stick to the path of Christ? What keeps us on the right road to heaven? Obeying laws and regulations in our own power, or relying on the same Spirit Who got us going? The answer is clear: the Spirit who starts our life with Jesus sustains us with Him and will bring us home to glory.

In chapter 5, Paul asks them another question, one designed to encourage and correct: 

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” – Galatians 5:7

Again, these Christians had started their spiritual race well, but along the way, they were getting disrupted. Attempting to please God by keeping rules and regulations was distracting them from depending on the Holy Spirit. And that’s unfortunate because the goal of discipleship, a Christlike life, is possible only by the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Afterwards, Paul instructs about how to deal with Christians who get so caught up in self-reliance that they end up violating God’s will:

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

Spirit-centered, gentle, humble, self-aware–these describe mature Christians who are growing in holiness. Such children of God are capable of helping a fellow believer repent of a shortfall and prevail over it. Rather than condemning one who sins, they serve as agents of restoration. The Spirit is the secret to overcoming sin.

25 times Paul mentions the law in this letter. He wants to dissuade people from trying to perfect themselves by keeping the ordinances of the old covenant. In contrast, he refers to the Spirit or spirit 14 times and grace 8 times. These are the sources of victory in the Christian life.

Answer

So what does Paul mean by the law of Christ? He beats the Galatians at their own game by using their language against them. He takes their enthusiasm for God’s law as the supposed means of holiness and directs it to Jesus. And isn’t the prime ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal and exalt Jesus? If the Galatians would conduct themselves in the Spirit, they’d be less concerned about the law of God and more focused on the Son of God.

Application

What’s the law of Christ? In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, it’s the way of life in the Spirit. A heart growing in purity and power by the grace of God. A soul becoming more like Jesus every day.

Are you accustomed to relying on yourself to live up to God’s standards? How long can you maintain that course before you crash? Instead, let the Holy Spirit transform you. He will renew you and put you on a different path. Follow Him and you will learn more about Jesus and come to resemble His character. He’ll help you to deal with your sins and use you to take care of the failures of others with effectiveness and compassion.

That’s how you fulfill the law of Christ.