By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuuel

Galatian 5:13-15 “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. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

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.