Out of Deep Waters

We return to the question of whether the law is still binding on Christians and whether we are expected still to obey it. Yes and no! Yes in the sense that Christian freedom is freedom to serve, not freedom to sin. We are still slaves (Romans 7:6), slaves of God and of righteousness (6:18, 22). But also no, because the motives and means of our service have completely changed. Why do we serve? Not because the law is our master and we have to, but because Christ is our husband and we want to. Not because obedience leads to salvation, but because salvation leads to obedience. And how do we serve? “We serve in the new way of the Spirit” (7:6). For the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the distinguishing characteristic of the new age, and so of the new life in Christ.