Paul makes this same point in 1 Corinthians. His subject is the importance of sharing the Gospel. He works hard to adapt to different audiences, so as to preach the Gospel most effectively to each group.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:20-23)
Notice that Paul himself was “not under the law.” Nor was he without law. Instead, he was “under the law of Christ.” Paul did not want people to misunderstand him when he met different needs in different ways. He was never without a guiding system. The system, or law, he followed was that given by Christ.
We are under the law of Christ
Elsewhere Paul refers to “the law of the Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2), and James speaks of “the perfect law, the law of liberty” (James 1:25). The importance of obedience is a major theme of the New Testament.
- James shows the vital importance of doing what God says (James 1:22, 25; 2:14-26).
- Jesus had already established that knowing Him is a matter of obeying, not just saying, “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49).
- Hebrews 5:9 says that Christ is the Source of eternal salvation “to all who obey Him.”