Spirit, Not Law

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

What an unusual statement: Against such things there is no law. Of course no one would make a law against these wonderful qualities. But that’s not what the statement means. Let’s set this statement in context for some clarification.

First Paul declares that if we live in the Spirit, we will not do the things of sin (5:16) because the sinful life and the Spirit-filled life are contrary to each other (5:17).

Second, he tells us that those who live by the Spirit are not under the law (5:18). We’ll come back to this one.

Third, he says that sinful deeds are obvious and then makes a sample list of things that are, indeed, obviously sinful (5:19-21). No one would object to his examples.

Fourth, he lists the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23): those things which are evident in the life of someone who lives daily in the Spirit.

Fifth, he proclaims that believers separate themselves so far from sin that it is like death (5:24).

Finally, he calls upon all believers to walk in the Spirit and not do the works of sin (5:25-26).

On another occasion, Paul told Timothy (1 Tim 1:9), We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels. Its purpose is to show those who are sinful what they have done to convert them. The law breaks down the sinner and punishes him so that he will turn to God.

But there’s good news for those who walk in the Spirit. The law no longer hammers us. It no longer has any effect. We are outside of it.

When we walk in the Spirit, we do not need a list of rules. What is sinful is obvious and we are not interested in those things. Rather, we are focused upon the things which the Spirit directs our attention.

Living without the guilt and punishment of the law only requires us to walk every day in the Spirit of God.