LAW OF CHRIST - NEW COVENANT By Donna Dorsey Wulfemeyer Updated 2020
The Law of Christ states that we can’t be good enough or righteous enough to enter heaven by following the Law and The Prophets. It says we need to believe in Jesus as our Messiah (savior). His death for us is what makes us righteous in God’s sight.
For our salvation, which can never be earned, God simply asks us to love him, love others (both believers and non-believers) and believe in God’s son. The NT contains hundreds of commands. All of them come under the general heading of love. Everything He commands is an expression of love. This I believe is the Law of Christ and this fulfills all that was said in the Law and the prophets without the need to look at a check list of demands.
Jesus asked believers to love each other in order to show the world we are his followers because in doing so we follow his example for living. Receiving our righteousness from God thru Jesus, not the law, explains the Law of Christ which is the New Covenant. Prior to Christ the law was a list of do’s and don’ts that were created to help people live peaceably with God and others. However people were unable to keep the commandments so the blood of animals was shed on our behalf. After Jesus was the final sacrifice, the Law of Christ took effect; by belief in Christ all our sins are covered/removed and we are made righteous in God sight.
To fulfill all law of Christ: Love God/Jesus, Love each other, believe in Jesus
The Law of Christ: 1. Serve God out of love and gratitude. 2. Faith makes us right with God. (Saved, sinless, righteous in God’s site.) 3. We show God our love for him thru our faith in Jesus as our Messiah 4. When we listen to and follow what the spirit tell us to do we are obeying the law of Christ and serving in the new way of the Spirit. (Serve in the Spirit - is to keep you mind off sinful things and on spiritual things; things the Spirit desires. Don’t let sin control you; let the Spirit control you. Live a life lead by the Holy Spirit so that you conform to God’s standards. 5. The Law of Christ says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 6. Live under God’s grace not a set of rules to be followed. 7. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. 8. The whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9. Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. 10. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 11. Christians fulfil the Law thru belief in Jesus, loving God and other people. 12. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 13. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” 14. We should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.
Law of Christ verses Matthew 28:19-20 (Said by Jesus) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
John 8:51 (Said by Jesus) I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!
Romans 30-21 (Paul) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify” Me: Receiving our righteousness from God thru Jesus, not the law, explains the Law of Christ which is the New Covenant. Prior to Christ the law said do this and do that and because you will fail, the blood of animals will need to be shed on your behalf. After Jesus was the final sacrifice, the Law of Christ took effect; by belief in Christ all our sins are covered/removed and we are made righteous in God sight.
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 (Paul) When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (Paul) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.”
Romans 10: (Paul) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.
Romans 8:2 (Paul) because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 10:4 (Paul) Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Philippians 3:9 (Paul) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Not Saved by Works Verses John 6:27-29 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 8:39 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. (His work was having faith in God)
Romans 3:19 -21 (Paul) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Romans 3:27-28 (Paul) Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Romans 4:4-8 (Paul) Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man whom God credits righteousness apart from works. “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
Romans 9:31-33 (Paul) but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Galatians 2:16 (Paul) know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 3:1-5 (Paul) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
Galatians 3:2-3 (Paul) This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:10-11 (Paul) All who reply on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (Paul) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9 (Paul) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Titus 3:5 (Paul) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
Revelation 20:12 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Work of God is to believe in Jesus)
Revelation 20:13 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. (Believer’s works: Believe in Jesus as the Messiah.)
Do Works to Show Love for God and Others Verses Matthew 5:16 (Original disciple of Jesus) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 16:27 (Original disciple of Jesus) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Acts 10:35 (Paul) But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (Righteousness is belief/faith in Jesus as the Messiah not physical work.)
Acts 26:20 (Paul) but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Works = Belief in Jesus, obedience to Christ and his teachings as a way of life, devotion to Christ by trusting him, loving him, showing our gratitude and loyalty to him.)
Ephesians 2:10 (Paul) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Good works for a believer are: believe in Jesus, live a life loving God and serving/loving others.
Titus 3:8 (Paul) This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Hebrews 10:24 (author not known) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works
James 2:14-26 (Half-brother of Jesus) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (Love one another; we show this by what we do. To have Godly actions. Works is also trusting and doing what God tells us to do. Living a lifestyle pleasing to God is an indication that our belief in Jesus is more than just knowing facts about him)
James 3:13 (Half-brother of Jesus) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
1 Peter 2:12 (Original disciple of Jesus) having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Revelation 2:5 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) Remember the height from which you have fallen; repent and do the things/works you did at first. If you do not repent I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Addressing back sliders. .Live showing your love and obedience to Christ.)
Revelation 2:9 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (Live showing your love and obedience to Christ.)
Revelation 2:13 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to my name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Works are explained here by not denying their belief in Jesus. “I know your works” is not in this verse when reading the Greek Lexicon.)
Revelation 2:23 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:26 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations (Christ’s standards; belief in him.)
Revelation 3:8 (John - Original disciple of Jesus) “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.