Biblical Insight: Let’s start with a biblical perspective. Paul writes in Galatians 5:18–24:
“...But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
This passage contrasts the inner moral compass (Spirit) with external, physical regulation (law). Paul suggests that when individuals live by the Spirit—guided by divine love and virtue—they naturally fulfill the moral aims of the law without needing enforcement. The “fruit of the Spirit” aligns with natural law: virtues that transcend legal codes and reflect a higher moral order.
What Is Natural Law?
Natural law and legal (or positive) law represent two foundational approaches to understanding justice and order in society. While they often intersect, they originate from different sources and serve distinct purposes.
Natural law is a philosophical concept rooted in the idea that certain rights and moral values are inherent in human nature and discoverable through reason. Thinkers like Aristotle, Cicero, and later Thomas Aquinas argued that natural law reflects a universal moral order—what is “right” regardless of human legislation. For example:
The belief that murder is wrong
The idea that people should be treated equally
The notion that truth and justice are virtues
Natural law is often tied to divine or spiritual principles, suggesting that morality is not invented but revealed or discovered.
What Is Legal Law?
Legal law, or positive law, is the system of rules created and enforced by humans using governments. Legal law is needed when humans believe that they are islands unto themselves. These laws are written, codified, and subject to change based on societal needs. Legal law aims to:
Maintain public order (e.g., criminal laws)
Protect individual rights (e.g., civil rights legislation)
Regulate/punish behavior (e.g., traffic laws, tax codes)
Legal law tries to correct injustices that arise from human actions such as theft, fraud, or violence—by imposing penalties and offering remedies.
When Does the Law Apply?
Legal law applies in situations where individual actions affect others or the public good. Examples include:
Contract disputes
Property ownership
Criminal offenses
Workplace regulations
These are areas where society needs a common standard to resolve conflicts and ensure fairness. We say that the law applies to everybody, but does it?
When Is Law Not Needed?
Not all human behavior requires legal oversight. Many personal, ethical, or spiritual decisions fall outside the scope of legal enforcement:
Acts of kindness or forgiveness
Personal beliefs or thoughts
Voluntary charity
Inner virtues like patience or humility
These are governed more by conscience, culture, or spiritual teachings than by statute.
Conclusion
Natural law appeals to universal morality; legal law enforces societal order. While legal systems attempt to correct injustice, they cannot legislate the heart. As Galatians teaches, true righteousness flows from within—where legal law becomes unnecessary because love, justice, and self-control reign—and therefore blessings flow to all.
07/06/25