Two Laws That Govern Life
There are two fundamental kinds of law that govern human experience.
1. Legal Law – These are rules instituted by a governing authority, such as a government, an institution, or even God. Legal laws regulate behavior through obligation and the threat of penalty for disobedience. Examples include workplace policies, national laws, or the commandments given at Sinai.
2. Natural Law – These laws are inherent principles built into creation, such as the laws of physics or spiritual realities. They operate through cause and effect rather than imposed penalties. For example, touching fire results in burns—not because of punishment, but because of how nature works.
The Bible acknowledges both legal and natural law in spiritual life. Understanding how they function is critical to grasping the message of the gospel.
Three Spiritual Laws (Romans 7 & 8)
Paul outlines three laws central to religious experience:
The law of sin (natural law)
The law of God (legal law)
The law of the Spirit (natural law)
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me... bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." (Rom 7:21-23)
The "law of sin" is a built-in principle in fallen human nature. It drives people to sin instinctively, even when they desire to do good. It's not imposed—it operates naturally.
The "law of God," or the Ten Commandments, is a legal law. It must be taught, learned, and enforced. The carnal man may agree with it mentally, but finds no power to obey it because natural law (sin) overrides it.
Legal law cannot overpower natural law. Thus, while the commandments are righteous, they are powerless to overcome the law of sin. This leads to the frustration described in Romans 7.
But Romans 8 introduces a third law: the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom 8:2)
This is a new spiritual nature—a divine principle implanted through the new birth. It cancels the dominion of sin by replacing the old nature with Christ's Spirit. Righteousness then becomes natural, not forced.
Letter vs. Spirit (2 Corinthians 3)
Paul further contrasts legal and spiritual law in 2 Corinthians 3:
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Cor 3:6)
The "letter" refers to the legal law—what was "written and engraven in stones." This Old Covenant system condemned but could not save. Paul calls it a "ministration of death" because it demanded righteousness without empowering it.
The "Spirit" refers to the indwelling law of life. Under the New Covenant, righteousness is not imposed externally, but produced internally by the Spirit of Christ. Legal law demands; spiritual law empowers.
Not Under the Law
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Gal 5:18)
To be "under the law" is to be governed by legal commandments. But those led by the Spirit are governed by internal transformation. The righteous do not need external laws—they are guided from within.
"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man..." (1 Tim 1:9)
Legal law exists for the unrighteous—to restrain and expose sin. But once a person is born of the Spirit, that system becomes obsolete.
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Rom 6:14)
Delivered from the Law
"But now we are delivered from the law... that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Rom 7:6)
Christians no longer serve through legal obligation but through spiritual transformation. Legalism ends where the Spirit begins.
Christ—The End of the Law
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Rom 10:4)
The law's role in establishing righteousness has ended. No longer does obedience to commandments determine one’s standing with God. Instead, righteousness comes through faith in Christ.
"For he hath made him to be sin for us... that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor 5:21)
This righteousness is entirely apart from the law:
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested..." (Rom 3:21)
All Things Are Lawful
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient..." (1 Cor 6:12)
Paul's startling statement makes sense in light of the gospel. The Christian is not governed by the law, but by the Spirit. Freedom does not mean lawlessness—it means a higher law is at work: Christ within.
Therefore, while the law once demanded righteousness, the Spirit now produces it. This is the triumph of grace, the heart of the New Covenant, and the only true path to transformation.