Some are confused when it comes to defining the law of Christ. It ought not be so. Some question whether we are even under law in this age of grace. To them, the “the law of grace in the love of God” keeps Christians in “a pleasing relationship with God” (“What does it mean that Christians are not under the law?”, gotquestions.org) even as they continue to sin. They say you cannot so sin as to lose salvation once you are saved by grace. Others say in a very general way that God’s law is a law of love. (Love is certainly a central aspect of God’s law, Matt. 22:36-40; Jno. 13:34-35.) Others focus on the liberty we have in Christ to minimize the binding authority of Bible patterns while maximizing unity in diversity. So, what does the Scripture say about the law of Christ?

A law is a rule of action prescribed by legitimate authority upon those under that authority. A law has binding authority or power to regulate one’s actions and to hold one accountable for those actions (Rom. 7:1-3). A body or collection of laws may be referred to simply as “the law,” an example of which would be the Law of Moses (the entire system of law, Matt. 5:17; Lk. 2:22-24).

It is evident that we are under divine law, otherwise there would be no sin, “for where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15). This principle is then applied, “sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Rom. 5:13).

All of us are under God’s law, and that law belongs to Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:21 says we are not “without law toward God,” but “under law toward Christ” (NKJV, “under the law of Christ,” ESV, NASB). Without equivocation, the apostle Paul said we are subject to (under) God’s law (rule), and the law to which we are subject belongs to Christ. This gives practical application to Christ’s declaration, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Christ exercises His authority by His law. When we submit to it we walk according to the Spirit, but when we refuse to submit to it we walk according to the flesh (Rom. 8:1, 6-8).

The law of Christ has been revealed. It is the gospel that Christ’s apostles preached to the world (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). The law of Christ is the body of truth revealed to the world through Christ (Heb. 1:1-2; 2:1-3).

The law of Christ is the new covenant. A covenant is the disposition of God’s will, a testament that dispenses an eternal inheritance according to His will (Heb. 9:15). The new covenant (new testament) of Christ consists of God’s “laws” and is written on hearts and in minds when the gospel is believed and obeyed (Heb. 8:10; 10:16; Lk. 8:15; Col. 3:16). It contains commands we must obey, including commands (laws) regarding love, worship, service, moral living, etc. – “every good work” in which we are to walk (Eph. 2:10). The law of Christ is the New Testament.

The law of Christ is the law of faith. The gospel is called “the faith,” the system by which sinners are justified (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 1:11, 23; 2:16). Paul explained the law of faith removes boasting as it justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26-28). Furthermore, far from invalidating law as an active element in justifying sinners (even though the law of Moses could not do so), the apostle emphatically said that by the law of faith (the gospel) we “establish law” (Rom. 3:31). The law of faith is active and justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26-27, 28-30).

The law of Christ can be fulfilled. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). We are under obligation to fulfill (satisfy, complete, accomplish) Christ’s law. In this case we do so by bearing mutual burdens (such as restoring a fallen Christian, Gal. 6:1). It is not only possible to keep the law of Christ, we are duty bound to fulfill it. Whether our hearts and our lives have kept the law of Christ will be judged by Christ on the day of judgment (Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The law of Christ is the law of liberty. This does not mean we are at liberty under Christ to minimize His authoritative word (His law). For example, it does not mean we are at liberty to choose alternative ways to worship God (Jno. 4:24). It does not mean we are free to choose alternative standards of moral living (2 Tim. 2:22; Tit. 2:11-12). Such conclusions are gross distortions of our liberty in Christ. The liberty we have in Christ is our freedom from sin’s bondage (Gal. 5:1; Jno. 8:32-36). That is how Paul discusses “liberty” in Galatians 5:1 (13). The law of Moses could not give liberty from sin. To bind it upon Christians destroys their freedom from sin, putting them under the law’s yoke of bondage.

The word that saves our souls is the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:21-25). We must examine ourselves by it and do what it says. That is when God blesses us (Jas. 1:25).

What the Scriptures say about the law of Christ replaces confusion with understanding. The law of Christ is the gospel, the New Testament, the law of faith, the law of liberty. We are under its authority as it justifies us by grace (Gal. 2:16). We are accountable to Christ for our heart and our conduct under it. The question each of us must answer is whether we will believe the law of Christ and fulfill it.