The concept of "Release from the Law" is a theological principle primarily derived from the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. This principle addresses the transition from the Old Covenant, characterized by adherence to the Mosaic Law, to the New Covenant, established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul articulates the idea of release from the Law most explicitly in his Epistle to the Romans. In Romans 7:4-6 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit to death. But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."

This passage highlights the believer's transition from being bound by the Law to living under the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The "death" to the Law is metaphorical, signifying a break from the legalistic adherence to the commandments as a means of justification before God.

The Role of the Law

The Law, given through Moses, served as a tutor or guardian until Christ came, as explained in Galatians 3:24-25 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The Law's purpose was to reveal sin and the need for a Savior, pointing to the coming of Christ who would fulfill the Law's righteous requirements.

Fulfillment in Christ

Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the Law. In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Christ accomplished what the Law could not—providing a means for righteousness apart from the Law.

Living Under Grace

The release from the Law does not imply a license to sin but rather a call to live under the grace of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:14 declares, "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." This new way of living is characterized by a relationship with God that is based on faith and love, rather than mere rule-keeping.

Implications for Believers

For believers, release from the Law signifies freedom from the condemnation that the Law brings due to human inability to keep it perfectly. It also means a new identity in Christ, where righteousness is imputed through faith. This freedom encourages believers to pursue holiness and good works, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a response to the grace received through Christ.

Conclusion

The doctrine of release from the Law is central to understanding the Christian life under the New Covenant. It underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which liberates believers from the bondage of legalism and empowers them to live in the freedom and righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.