In the New Testament, we are called to embrace the new reality of our lives in Christ. We are no longer the same, for we have become vessels of God’s love, filled with His life of love. As stated in Romans 5, we can have hope and assurance that God loves us deeply. He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and fill our hearts with His boundless love (Romans 5:5).

When we made the decision to follow Christ, something incredible happened within us. It was like undergoing a spiritual surgery, where our old life was removed and a new life was given to us. This new life we received is from God Himself, who is the embodiment of love. We can even say that we were “born again” into this new life, experiencing a transformation that brings us closer to God and His love.

Before encountering Christ, we were sinful and separated from God (Ephesians 2:2). Being “born again” is a spiritual transformation where God removes our sinful nature and gives us a new life through the indwelling of Christ’s spirit. In this process, we are made new and begin to reflect the likeness of God. This new life is received through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:24 “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Now, with the new nature we have received from God, we no longer live according to the laws given by Moses. Instead, we live by faith in the truth of God’s Word. This new life is not based on our own actions or obedience to rules; it is a result of accepting this reality as our own. The Holy Spirit within us guides and influences our words, actions, and thoughts. We rely on Him for strength, wisdom, and guidance, rather than relying on ourselves to obey all the laws of God. This is what it means to live by faith and be led by the Spirit, rather than relying on our own human effort and abilities.

BECAUSE OF THIS NEW REALITY, WE DON’T NEED THE LAW ANYMORE.

The Holy Spirit replaces the laws and does a better job than all the laws combined. The Spirit fulfills the essence of the law within us. We are no longer controlled by our sinful nature but by the Spirit’s activity in us (Romans 8:9). We are now called to live in freedom from the law, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. The truth taught by the Spirit guides us and brings light to our path. We follow the principles of God’s Word, and if something is not endorsed by His Word, we do not do it or believe it, regardless of who says it. Jesus, the living Word of God, teaches us about our identity in Christ and the privileges we have as His own. We must believe to experience these realities.

RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH FREEDOM

Though we are free from the constraints of the law, it does not release us from the responsibility of being guided by the Spirit of God and living in love. The Holy Spirit works within us, shaping our desires and enabling us to fulfill God’s purposes. Like a branch connected to a vine, we receive the life-giving flow of the Spirit, and this life manifests through the fruit we bear. Unlike the law, which cannot make us righteous or cleanse our sins, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to live in alignment with God’s will. By relying on the Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the desires of the flesh and live a life pleasing to God.

Paul reminds us of this in Gal 5;16 “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives, then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” This verse explains that are now under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our lives are controlled by the love of God, for He is love Himself. Love is the central focus in the Kingdom of God.

THE DECEPTION OF PERVERTING GOD’S LOVE

The devil seeks to confuse people by distorting the concept of God’s love. Some may claim that if God is love, we must love everything anyone does. However, true love does not mean accepting everything indiscriminately. Love is inclusive but guided by what is right and true. It is important to recognize that God, who is love, is also holy in all His ways. We should be cautious of these deceptive teachings and understand that genuine love is rooted in God’s holiness, and upholds what is good and true.

Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

The devil deceives by spreading lies about the Scriptures, attributing teachings to Jesus that He never spoke. These individuals may have no knowledge of Christianity or the Bible but falsely claim that Jesus said certain things. It is important to always ask for the specific chapter and verse they are quoting from the Bible. Often, they will have no reference because they have never engaged with the Scriptures themselves.

EMBRACING LOVE AS OUR IDENTITY AND SERVICE TO OTHERS

God’s word is the standard of light and works that are not in alignment with it are considered works of darkness. Love is an act of willingness and cannot be earned or forced. Forgiveness can be challenging, but God’s love surpasses human capabilities. We can trust God to live through us and believe in our new identity in Christ. Love is not an obligation but a desire and fulfillment of God’s law.

Galatian 5:13 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.