Would Paul object to the way James calls Christ’s will “law” (James 2:8-12)? Hardly, for Paul himself said of himself, “…not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21 cf. 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 6:2). What is the kingdom if it has no reigning King? What is the King if He has no will and no law? In fact, the King Himself launches Christianity in terms of His absolute authority and our full obedience.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:18, 20).
The New Covenant, while not a legal system like the Old Covenant, nevertheless has its laws. “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). To treat Christianity as though it has no laws is utter perversion that seeks to dethrone Jesus as King.
Anyone seeking to separate obedience from faith must fight Paul first. What is Paul’s missionary goal? For people of all nations to be saved through the Gospel. Now notice how he words that goal in the book of Romans:
We have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5).
For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed (Romans 15:18).
[The mystery] has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26).