The phrase “Law of the Land” describes the body of laws in force within a sovereign country or region. The natural citizens of a country usually know what is acceptable behavior within their society as they have lived under the rule of law there throughout their lives. Over time, these laws become second nature and are basically automatic responses to the day to day situations confronted by the citizen. However, if a person travels or moves to another part of the world under a different rule of law, they must come to know the laws applicable within that sovereign jurisdiction.
How, you may be wondering, does this relate to New Testament Christianity? That is a good question considering a very small percentage of those who profess to be in the kingdom (under the sovereign reign) of Christ fully grasp the body of legislation comprising the terms of citizenship therein. Every kingdom has a body of laws governing the lives of its citizens, and the kingdom of Christ is no exception.
So, what constitutes the “rule of law” in the kingdom of Christ? The confusion on this matter is widespread and can be exasperating for those attempting to learn how to live. Considering our citizenship was transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col. 1:13; Phil. 3:20), it behooves us to learn our constitution in His kingdom.
Some claim there is no law in the kingdom of Christ because Paul said we are not under law but grace (Rom. 6:15). This misses the point of Paul’s rhetorical question. He was talking specifically about the Law of Moses, not law per se. In Romans 8:2, Paul spoke of the “…law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus…” He was crystal clear in 1 Corinthians 9:21 that he himself was “…not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ…” James spoke of the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25). Furthermore, the Hebrews writer quoted Jeremiah concerning the New Covenant and said, “…I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts…” (Heb. 8:10). So, the argument for spiritual anarchy in Christ fails of Scriptural support.
The second misconception of the “Law of the Land” in Christ’s kingdom leads people to seek authority for certain practices from Moses’ Law. From this idea comes burning incense, interpretive dance in worship, mechanical instruments of music, Sabbath keeping, tithing ten percent, etc. The trouble with this is it fails to distinguish what covenant to which people living today are amenable. As an example, there was a time when we lived under British law here in the United States, but no longer is this the case. Try driving on the left side of the road here and see how the authorities react to the defense that we were once under British rule.
How, you may be wondering, does this relate to New Testament Christianity? That is a good question considering a very small percentage of those who profess to be in the kingdom (under the sovereign reign) of Christ fully grasp the body of legislation comprising the terms of citizenship therein. Every kingdom has a body of laws governing the lives of its citizens, and the kingdom of Christ is no exception.
So, what constitutes the “rule of law” in the kingdom of Christ? The confusion on this matter is widespread and can be exasperating for those attempting to learn how to live. Considering our citizenship was transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col. 1:13; Phil. 3:20), it behooves us to learn our constitution in His kingdom.
Some claim there is no law in the kingdom of Christ because Paul said we are not under law but grace (Rom. 6:15). This misses the point of Paul’s rhetorical question. He was talking specifically about the Law of Moses, not law per se. In Romans 8:2, Paul spoke of the “…law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus…” He was crystal clear in 1 Corinthians 9:21 that he himself was “…not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ…” James spoke of the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25). Furthermore, the Hebrews writer quoted Jeremiah concerning the New Covenant and said, “…I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts…” (Heb. 8:10). So, the argument for spiritual anarchy in Christ fails of Scriptural support.
The second misconception of the “Law of the Land” in Christ’s kingdom leads people to seek authority for certain practices from Moses’ Law. From this idea comes burning incense, interpretive dance in worship, mechanical instruments of music, Sabbath keeping, tithing ten percent, etc. The trouble with this is it fails to distinguish what covenant to which people living today are amenable. As an example, there was a time when we lived under British law here in the United States, but no longer is this the case. Try driving on the left side of the road here and see how the authorities react to the defense that we were once under British rule.