The Law of Christ

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

According to Paul’s teachings there is no law that can control or manipulate us as we are beyond all law and belong to the Holy Spirit. But here and in 1 Corinthians 9:21, Paul uses the term “law of Christ”. Both these statements point at the emphasis of fellowship between brothers being the law of Christ.

In the NT, no other law but fellowship is given the status of a law. This is a very important message as Jesus when spoke about this in Mathew 22:37-40, after the first law that emphasizes the relationship with God that we need to love Him, the next important law is to love our neighbors. This does not contradict with Paul’s statement that we are above all law because this law does not require obedience like all worldly laws. The law of Christ expects love.

A detailed description of Christ’s law is the Sermon on the Mount. Here in Mathew 5:38-42 Christ makes it mandatory to lose all kinds of hatred or revenge completely and send love everywhere. To win souls Jesus proposes three submissions from us. The first is to the neighbor’s anger, second to his need and then to his love. These are the perfect steps in displaying Christ’s love where he submitted to our anger at the cross, then to our need through death and resurrection so that we would be forgiven and then to our love by sending the Holy Spirit to walk with us in our pursuit of glory.

Just like the commandment in the Ten Commandments that required us to honor our father and mother which has an attached blessing that our days will be more, this commandment of loving our enemies has an attachment that we will be sons of our Father in heaven (V 44,45). Jesus in the same statement adds that the Father is perfect with His Fatherly role with all good and evil people, but if we have to be this Father’s sons we have to copy this action of the Father.

In Galatians, as soon as Paul speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, he requests the church to do away with hatred, practice encouragement and burden sharing which fulfills the law of Christ. In 5:26, Paul advises not to provoke anger and immediately in 6:1 he requests to restore if anybody sins with a spirit of gentleness. Restoration is completely different from condemnation. We are expected to do this restoration in the model of verse 2 which wants us to share each other’s burdens. If anybody sins, we should share the burden and encourage this person towards perfection. This was exactly what Jesus did at the cross.

Similarly in 1 Corinthians 9:21 Paul emphasizes in going to whatever extent to earn souls for the Lord. Paul, though being a free person, acted like a complete servant to all. This servant carried the burdens of others. His submission is willing to take up any role or responsibility to win hearts. In this context only Paul says that even if he is not under the OT law, he is submissive to the law of Christ which again is towards God. The law of Christ expects mutual encouragement and sincere burden towards souls at whatever costs it may require.

Additionally, Paul includes self-examination in Galatians 6:3-5 with this statement. This is because of the reason given in the first verse. When we share other’s burdens we are open to temptation and that may lead to failure. Self-examination is very much required at many stages before we start sharing the burdens of others. The lesson given to us is that people can bear their own burdens, but if we who are spiritual, can share other’s burdens and restore them. This ministry needs caution. The word “deceive himself” points to the fact that this examination is not simple and most people are falsely convinced that they are righteous and are being led by the Holy Spirit.

And in the next few verses (6-10), Paul includes material helps in the law of Christ. This especially has be done inside the church because material debts or crisis are reasons for sin. Carrying one another’s burdens is expected with all our earnings and strength. Also, this is where the scripture allows offerings to preachers. But here, Paul includes the verse “Be not deceived, God is not mocked” which monitors the motive of our good deeds on if we would want to feed the flesh or the spirit by doing these deeds. Let us note that when we think ourselves being worthy and try to take other’s burdens, we are deceiving ourselves. But when we try to feed the flesh (self-satisfaction) by helping others, then we are mocking God.

While concluding the book of Galatians, Paul emphasizes that our relationship with the world is crucified at the cross and so, we do all good things for the glory of the cross. This relationship when started brings us towards glory that elevates Christ about everything else. 

Amen.