Freedom and the law

Jesus Christ sets believers free from the law

Jesus Christ’s life of perfect obedience to the law was the fulfilment of it

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

See also Ga 4:4–5; 1 Pe 2:22

Jesus Christ’s death fulfils the demands of the law

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

See also Heb 7:27; Heb 9:11; Heb 9:26–28; Heb 10:11–14; 1 Pe 2:24; 1 Pe 3:18

On account of Jesus Christ’s death, believers can be righteous independently of the law

Romans 3:21–26 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

See also Jn 1:17; Ro 10:4; Php 3:9

Believers are set free from the law’s condemnation

Galatians 3:21–25 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

See also Ro 6:1–14; Ro 7:1–6; Ga 3:13; Ga 4:5; Ga 4:21–31 The lives of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac are interpreted figuratively, to illustrate the believer’s freedom from the law’s condemnation; Ga 5:1; Eph 2:14–15; Col 2:13–14

The freedom of believers rests on the power of the Holy Spirit

Ro 7:1–6; 2 Co 3:17–18

See also Ro 8:1–17; Ga 5:16–18; Ga 5:22–26

The believer’s freedom to obey the law voluntarily

Psalm 119:32 ESV

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

See also Ps 37:31; Ps 119:45; Ps 119:97; Je 31:33; 2 Co 3:3; Jas 1:25; Jas 2:12