Law | Spirit

The Old Covenant was established at Sinai at the beginning of the Exodus
but entrance into the Inheritance, (the promised Land), began 40 years later,

The New Covenant was established at Calvary at the beginning of the Tribulation around 30AD
but entrance into the Inheritance, (the promised Kingdom of God), began 40 years later around 70AD.

The Everlasting Covenant in Christ's Blood continues as long as Jesus our High Priest lives, forever without end,
but the Tribulation endured only while the Old Testament world order, represented by old Jerusalem, was passing away.

"Legalism" is an oft misused term, frequently employed by the lawless, the rebellious to mock obedience to anyone, even obedience to Christ who warned plainly in Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

The term "Legalism" appears nowhere in Holy Writ but was a technical, theological term devised to refer to attempts to attain righteousness specifically via The Law of Moses, which was fulfilled at the Cross by Christ around 30AD. (See Cross of Christ: Old to New Covenant moment of change /?q=node/87).

THE LAW OF CHRIST (LOVE) compared to THE LAW OF MOSES (LEGALISM) :

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill The Law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under The Law [of Moses] I became like one under The Law [of Moses] (though I myself am not under The Law [of Moses]), so as to win those under The Law [of Moses]. 21 To those not having The Law [of Moses] I became like one not having The Law [of Moses] (though I am not free from THE LAW OF GOD but am under THE LAW OF CHRIST), so as to win those not having The Law [of Moses].

(slightly modified NIV, referencing the underlying Greek)

Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from The Law of Sin & Death. NKJV

[ie of Moses = "When you sin, you will die" aka "The Ministry of Death" 2 Cor 3:7 and "The Ministry of Condemnation" 2 Cor 3:9 Whereas the Gospel is "The Ministry of the Spirit"].

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Law of Christ.
The Law of Sin & Death = The Law of Moses.

Therefore,
The Law of Christ sets us free from The Law of Moses.

We are not left without law, lawless.

2 Corinthians 3:5-4:1
But our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as Ministers of the New Covenant, not of the Letter but of the Spirit; for the Letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ["The Letter" here would be the tablets of stone that the LORD sent from Sinai via Moses to His People. How much better the Person of the Holy Spirit than that old Letter of stone, the Law of Moses].
7 But if the Ministry of Death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the Ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the Ministry of Condemnation had glory, the Ministry of Righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech — 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 4 Therefore, since we have this Ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
NKJV

The Word = The Perfect Law that gives freedom = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that gives freedom.

Therefore,
The Law of God = The Law of Christ = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Word = The Perfect Law (The Law of Perfection) = The New Covenant in Christ's Blood

James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to The Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to The Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into The Perfect Law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.

"In that He says, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." ~Hebrews 8:13, penned over 1930 years ago.
NKJV

THE NEW TESTAMENT LAW OF CHRIST REPLACES THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW OF MOSES BECAUSE
THE EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK REPLACES THE PRIESTHOOD OF AARON

Speaking of Jesus, being made a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, superceding the order of Aaron:

Hebrews 7:12-17
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].

13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

v12 - So we see that a change came to The Law [of God] with the change of priesthoods.

When the priesthood of Aaron was changed out for the priesthood of Melchizedek, then The Law of Moses was changed out for The Law of Christ.

It is uncommon for people to refer to The Gospel as "The Law of Christ," but Paul used the term in Gal 6:1 and 1 Cor 9:21. The Law of Christ is synonymous with James 2:8 "The Royal Law" as well as Rom 8:2 "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus:" i.e., The New Covenant in Christ's Blood.

Even as
The Law of Moses was given at the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt
and remained a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Aaron,

The Law of Christ was given at the beginning of the exodus (Tribulation period) from the Old Covenant Law of Moses
and remains a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Melchizedec.

As,
The Law of Moses embodied more than the 10 Commandments
and came to refer to the entire corpus of commandments of the Old Covenant,

The Law of Christ embodies more than just a few sayings of the Lord Jesus
but is acknowledged as refering to the entire corpus of New Testament commands.

It should be noted that a only very small portion of God's commands through Moses in the Old Testament pertained strictly to the Exodus period and are readily recognised as such: "Strike the rock," "Talk to the rock," "Stretch out your staff," "Move camp when the cloud lifts or the fire moves," etc.

Likewise, only a very small portion of God's commands through the Spirit of Christ in the New Testament pertained strictly to the 30-70AD Tribulation period and are readily recognised as such with specific time statements associated with each one: Matt 10:23 "You will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes," and notably 1 Cor 13:8-10 & Eph 4:11-13 which likewise contain "until ..." time-limiting statements.

Heb 7:14 & Heb 7:17 - Jesus is identified as a priest forever after this order of Melchizedec.

Heb 7:16 - Jesus' endless life is referred to, granting greater strength & longevity to His Commandment, The Law of Christ.

Therefore,
The Law of Christ shall remain in effect as long as Jesus remains High Priest, i.e. as long as Jesus lives.

Belief in Christ = Believing what Christ said.

"Jesus is my Lord" = "Jesus is my Owner, my Master, my Boss, Jesus' Words tell me what to do."

Faith = taking Jesus seriously enough to obey Him.

James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith [in Christ] without works [of obedience to Christ] is dead?

Hebrews 7:12-17
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].

LEGALISM = OBEDIENCE TO THE OLD TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF MOSES = THE OLD LAW OF GOD

LOVE = OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF CHRIST = THE LAW OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT LEGALISM HAS GIVEN WAY TO NEW TESTAMENT LOVE

1 John 5:1-4
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
NKJV

John 14:15-16
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
NKJV

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
NKJV

John 15:9-14
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
NKJV

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.

The Law of Christ

Inspired by the Holy Spirit from Heaven with His Baptism,

Delivered by His own mouth with His miraculous ministry,

Signed by His own Blood with His Cross,

Approved by His Father God Almighty with His Resurrection,

Personally enforced with all power in Heaven & Earth since His 70AD Return.

The Law of Christ

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

~Hebrews 13:8

For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
~Hebrews 9:16-18 NKJV

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.

~1 Timothy 1:5