Saul was Free

This whole week we’ve been looking at the things that changed in Saul’s theology once he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Perhaps the greatest change for him was the role the law played in his life.

"For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:19-21 NIV)

Before, the law was the way for Saul to get right with God.  After, he understood that we cannot get right with God through the law.  Our relationship with God is made right through Jesus.  His death took our place.  He is the perfect and final sacrifice.  He is the High Priest that opens up the curtain to the Holy of Holies where God dwells.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV)

Before, we were afraid to approach God because we may die.  Now, Jesus provided a way for us to return that is promised to be safe.  We will not die because Jesus died in our place.  We will live because Jesus is alive again.  These promises allow us to approach God without fear of death.  It all changes for the better when we encounter Jesus.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV)

This shift changes how we approach our everyday lives, too.  Before, we needed to learn the law, memorize the law, and follow the law.  Now, the law has been fulfilled through Jesus so everything changes.  What do we do now?  We walk by the Spirit.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13-14 NIV)

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh...The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:16-23 NIV)

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:5-6 NIV Emphasis mine)

Did you notice the change here?  If asked before his encounter with Jesus, Saul would have said the only thing that matters is our faithful adherence to the law.  Now that he has met Jesus, he says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  We have been set free.

How about you?  Have you been set free from the fear of death?  Are you ready and willing to face our living God?  Do you walk by the Spirit of God?  Do you live out this faith in Jesus, expressing itself through love?