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by David A. DePra

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not
under the law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
 
     Law vs. grace is one of the most important contrasts a
Christian must grasp. The Bible lays a tremendous emphasis
upon it. For example, the gospels are full of the conflict
between the Pharisees and our Lord -- showing the conflict
between the law and God's grace. Paul devotes at least three
of his epistles to the subject alone: Romans, Galatians, and
Colossians. Plus we find it cropping up in one form or another
in every other book of the New Testament. Make no question,
this is a topic I can ill afford to neglect. To do so is to neglect
the foundation of Christianity: The grace of God in Jesus
Christ.
     To get to the Truth of law vs. grace, we must ask two
important questions. First: Are we "under law" or "under
grace?" Actually, the answer to that question is easy:   We are
"under grace." Romans 6:14, quoted above, says so.
     But the second question, well, that's not so easy: What do the
terms, "under law," and "under grace," really mean? It is
confusion as to what these terms really mean which has
caused much bondage and deception among God's people.
     Let's begin by examining how the Bible uses the term
"under the law."
     Now we know that whatever the law says, it says it to
those who are under the law, that every mouth may be
stopped, and the whole world may become guilty before
God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no
flesh be justified in His sight. For by the law is the
knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God
without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law
and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is
by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them
that believe, for there is no difference. (Romans 3:19-22)
     Let's stop right here for a moment and glean some
important facts from this passage in Romans. Note especially
the first sentence. It reads, "Whatever the law says, it is saying
it to -- WHO? "To those who are UNDER THE LAW."
Note that: Whatever the law is saying -- it is saying it to
those "under the law." This tells us what the term "under the
law" means: If I am "under the law," the law is speaking to
ME. Or to put it in reverse: If the law is speaking to me, I
am "under the law." I am listening to it and allowing it to
govern my living.
     Ok. But what is the law saying to those who are "under
the law?" It is defining good and evil. It is commanding that
we DO the good and refuse the evil. Then it is judging our
works to see whether we have perfectly obeyed it. If we
haven't -- and we can't -- the law tells us we are
condemned to death.
     That is what the law says to those who are "under the law."
It also sounds quite a lot like the life of many Christians. Many
Christians look to the law to tell them what to do and not do.
They believe that if they do not obey the law they will be
judged -- even condemned. For some, the law is the only
voice they hear.
     What is wrong with that? Isn't the law holy, just, and good?
Sure it is. But that is precisely why if you live under the law it
will condemn you. There is no escape from the holy judgment
of God's law! But God has something better for us. He has
put us under His grace He has put us where the condemning
voice of the law cannot speak: In Christ.
     Notice how clear this Truth becomes once we put our two
scriptures together:
 
Paul said: "Whatever the law says, it says it to those under the law."
 
He also said: "But you are not under law, but under grace,"
 
     If the law is speaking to those "under the law," and God
tells us we are NOT "under the law" -- but "under grace" --
then the law cannot be speaking to US. There is simply no
other conclusion possible.
     This is further verified if we read on in our passage from
Romans 3. Paul says, "Therefore we conclude that a man is
justified by faith WITHOUT the deeds of the law." (Rom. 3:28)
     Now ask: If those "under grace" are justified WITHOUT the
deeds of the law, then how can the law be speaking to them?
It can't be speaking to them. The law has absolutely nothing
to do with their justification. It is not judging their deeds or
passing sentence upon them. They are justified solely by
grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
     Now we can better see what the terms "under the law," and
"under grace" really mean. Being "under the law" means that
my works -- as directed and judged by the law --
determine my justification and standing before God. Being
"under grace," however, means that I am justified before God
completely apart from my works. In effect, to be "under the
law" means that my works determine EVERYTHING. But to be
"under grace" means that my works determine NOTHING. By
faith I stand "under" the finished work of my Saviour.
     "Now wait a minute. If the law doesn't speak to those
under grace, then they can sin all they want. There will be no
restraint; no holy standards to follow."
     Once we grasp the Truth of God's grace, we will know that
it does not do away with obedience to God. Indeed, rather
than do away with obedience, the grace of God is the only real
means of obedience there is. Why? Because through God's
grace I don't merely DO righteous deeds, I BECOME a
righteous person -- through the Living Christ in me. In
Christ, obedience to God becomes natural and voluntary --
simply because I love Him.

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