I’ve been following an interesting Twitter thread about the freedom of Christians from the law, originated by Steve Martin. The argument is that Christians have total freedom, not being restricted by any constraints of the law. Christians are not subject to the strictures of the 10 Commandments.

The starting point for the discussion was:

“Gigantic Christian Myth Number 9

The 10 Commandments still apply to Christians.
They most surely do not. If they did then every believer would go to Hell. They apply to creatures. Not to Christians. “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe.” Romans 10:4″

I think it’s a starting point deliberately chosen to shock and provoke thought. The “natural” response is to say, “What, can I steal, murder, commit adultery, covet …?” The answer is “yes, and no”! Earlier in that Letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 10:1-2)

The issue is subtle, perhaps. There’s nothing a Christian can do that will affect salvation. Salvation is entirely at God’s discretion, and nothing we do, good or bad, can affect it. But a Christian loving God first and neighbors next is unlikely to do those things that moral law would prohibit. But what we do is not conditioned by the law — especially not the Old Testament law — but by our love.

English Pastor and Theologian Derek Prime wrote on this issue, commenting on 1 Corinthians 10:23-24:

A glorious truth of the gospel is the freedom into which our Lord Jesus Christ brings us. Our Saviour declared, ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36) and Paul wrote, ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free’ (Gal. 5:1). But, like any truth, it can be abused by human sinfulness. Our freedom is not freedom to do what we like, with no restraints placed upon us. Freedom with no restraint becomes irresponsible excess and produces moral chaos. Prime, D. (2005). Opening up 1 Corinthians (p. 91). Day One Publications.

It is not the law that constrains us, but our love for Him who freed us!