Bible Studies

Going Back to the Law is Committing Spiritual Adultery

by Michael Edwards 
07/26/26
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In Romans 7, Paul uses a clear marriage illustration to help us understand our relationship to the law and to Christ under the New Covenant.

“Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:1-4 NASB).

Paul’s point is simple and powerful. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If she joins herself to another man while her husband is still alive, she commits adultery. But when her husband dies, she is free to marry another without guilt.

In the same way, we were once bound to the law, that gave sin its power to condemn us - (The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law 1 Cor 15:56 NASB). But through the body of Christ we died to the law. The law no longer has jurisdiction over us. We have been released so that we can be joined to Another—Jesus, the risen Lord. We are now the bride of Christ. Our first “husband” (the law) has died to us through the cross, and we are free to belong fully to Jesus.

This is why going back to the law is so serious. If we who have died to the law and been joined to Christ now turn back to the law as our means of righteousness or acceptance with God, we are acting as if our first husband is still alive. In spiritual terms, we are committing adultery against Christ. We are leaving the freedom and intimacy of our marriage to Jesus and returning to a relationship that has already ended.

Paul says the same thing in Galatians: “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4 NASB). Falling from grace is not falling into sin. It is leaving the grace of Christ and returning to the law for righteousness. That return severs us from the living relationship we have with our Bridegroom.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.(Romans 6:14 ESV). Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4 NASB). The law was a tutor to lead us to Christ, but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (Galatians 3:24-25 NASB).

This truth is not meant to condemn anyone. It is meant to protect the beautiful freedom and intimacy Jesus purchased for us with His own blood. He wants us to rest fully in Him as our Husband, bearing fruit for God through union with Him, not through striving under a law that has already been fulfilled and set aside.

Has the law been abolished? No. The law remains in place to be a tutor or guide to Christ for the lost, so they can see their sin and a need for the Savior. Do you remember that Paul said he did not know sin but by the law? It also remains to protect us all to some extent, you from me and me from you, from the fallen sin nature that still dwells in everyones flesh. But, the Bible is very clear a believer has died to the law, set free from the law of sin and death.

Stay joined to Christ. Abide in His love. There is no need to return to what has already died. Your Bridegroom is enough.

So what keeps us from sinning under grace? Picture it this way. Imagine a woman married to Mr. Law. He is strict, black-and-white, and demands perfection in every detail—how the house is kept, the food is cooked, the schedule is followed. Any mistake brings sharp disapproval or punishment. She lives in constant fear, trying hard to measure up, yet never fully succeeding. Her service is driven by dread of failure.

Then Mr. Law dies. She is free to marry Mr. Grace—Jesus. Mr. Grace is completely different. He is kind, patient, and full of love. He makes breakfast for her. He helps with the work. He listens to her heart. When she makes a mistake, He does not explode in anger or withdraw His affection. Instead, He holds her close, forgives her, and encourages her. His perfect love has cast out the fear she once lived under (1 John 4:18 NASB).

Now why does she want to do things well? Not because she is afraid of punishment, but because she loves Him. She joyfully serves out of gratitude and affection. His kindness leads her to change (Romans 2:4 NASB). She is free—and in that freedom she delights to please the One who loves her so completely.

This is the New Covenant reality. “For the love of Christ controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NASB). Grace does not produce lawlessness. Grace produces love, and love is then one and only thing that fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10 NASB). We no longer serve under fear of the letter that kills, but under the Spirit who gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6 NASB).

If you believe Gods Word, then you must believe these verses. Love is the only thing that fulfills the law. Going back to the letter of the law to be right with God is Spiritual adultery and severs you from the grace of Christ - Gal 5:4. What commandments are we under in Christ - Love God, Love others as Christ has loved us and believe the gospel. 

8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves [g]his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10Love [h]does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Rom 13:8-10 NASB

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Gal 5:14 NASB 

We are qualified to minister the Spirit of the law (love) not the letter that brings death. Only God is qualified to minister the letter, yet with the woman caught in adultry Jesus ministered love. If you compare Jesus life to the Pharisee's, you can see the difference in ministering the letter (death) and ministering the Spirit, love (life). Jesus walked in the Spirit of the law and fulfilled the Fathers desire by walking his entire life in love. The only ones he opposed were those who were leading people away from the Truth, those who were scattering instead of gathering. 

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 ESV

Since love is the ONE and ONLY thing that fulfills the law according to scripture, do you want to know how to love much? No matter who you are or what you have done, terrible sinner most of your life or you think you were only a moderate sinner, you must understand that you have been forgiven much, no matter where you see your life on that sin scale, then you will love much and that fulfills Gods law.

"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 NASB

Rest in your marriage to Mr. Grace. His love is enough to keep you close and transform your heart.

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." Luke 22:20