“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Gal. 6:2-3
By Michael Adekoya – Dear Readers, I have been directed by the Holy Spirit to write to us this week about the “Law of Christ”. First of all, what is the law of Christ? It is simply a term that encapsulates the teachings and commandments of Jesus, primarily focused on love and selflessness. This law emphasizes loving God and others, and it is often seen as the guiding principle for how Christians are to live out their faith in daily life. The Apostle Paul refers to the “law of Christ” in the New Testament, specifically highlighting the importance of love as the fulfillment of all other commandments.
Firstly, The Law of Christ centres on Love – Jesus summarized the greatest commandments as loving God and loving one’s neighbour. In Matt. 22:37-40: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” These commandments emphasize that love is the foundation of all God’s laws. Jesus’ teachings underscore that love for God and others is the essence of the “law of Christ.”
Secondly, The Law of Christ is bearing one another’s burdens – The Apostle Paul explicitly refers to the “law of Christ” in the context of caring for one another and bearing each other’s burdens. In Gal. 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This instruction to bear one another’s burdens illustrates how believers are called to support, help, and serve each other, reflecting the selfless love that Christ demonstrated.
Thirdly, The Law of Christ is following Jesus’ examples of self-sacrifice – The “law of Christ” calls believers to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love. Jesus taught and modeled a life of humility, selflessness, and putting others’ needs before one’s own. For example; John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”Also Phil. 2:5-7, tells us, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”
Jesus’ life and death exemplified what it means to love sacrificially, and believers are called to imitate that same love in their relationships.
Fourthly, The Law of Christ is to be guided by the Spirit and not by legalism – The “law of Christ” is not about adhering to a rigid set of rules but is instead about a transformed life, led by the Holy Spirit and characterized by love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. The Bible says in Rom. 13:10: “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Also Gal. 5:14 tells us that “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
While the Mosaic Law required external observance, the law of Christ is written on the heart and enables believers to live in a way that naturally fulfills God’s commandments through the Spirit.
Again, The Law of Christ is being fulfilled by extending mercy and grace to others – The law of Christ calls believers to extend the same mercy and grace they have received from God to others. This means forgiving, being patient, and acting with compassion. Luke 6:36: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Jesus’ ministry was marked by acts of mercy, and He often challenged His followers to treat others with the same compassion they received from God.
Furthermore, The Law of Christ is to serve others in humility- By following the law of Christ, this involves humility and a willingness to serve others, putting their needs above one’s own. Jesus taught that greatness in God’s Kingdom comes from serving. In the Gospel of Mark 10:43-45, Jesus stressed that, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Living by the law of Christ means adopting a servant’s heart, as demonstrated by Jesus, who served those around Him selflessly.
Moreover, The Law of Christ is to be living out the “Golden Rule” – That is, loving others as one would wish to be loved. In Matt. 7:12, Jesus emphasises that “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This principle guides interactions with others, reflecting Christ’s teachings about empathy and treating others with respect and kindness.
Finally, The Law of Christ is to Fulfil God’s Old Testament Commandments through Love – By living out the law of Christ, believers naturally fulfill the moral requirements of God’s law, because true love leads to actions that honor God and promote the well-being of others. 1 John 5:2-3: “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”
Rather than focusing on legalistic rules, the law of Christ brings believers to a place where they can live out God’s commands joyfully and willingly, as an expression of love.
In conclusion, The “law of Christ” is a way of living that is defined by love, first for God and then for others. It calls for believers to act with selflessness, humility, compassion, and mercy, following the example of Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers can fulfill the law of Christ by loving others in a way that reflects Christ’s love, thereby naturally fulfilling God’s commandments and bearing witness to the transformative power of God’s love. Are you walking by the “Law of Christ” as enumerated above or you’re still walking in legality, self-righteousness and thereby religious rather than being spiritual as we are expected to be as New Testament believers? Well, the choice is now yours. Remain blessed!
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