Are we under law or grace?

Romans 7

The answer to the question above depends upon you!

Paul has already laid out the argument that where sin is grace shows up to cover it and where there is much sin there is much grace. The purpose of the law was ultimately to show how much we truly need God and his grace.

In all of our human strength, abilities, and gifts we are unable to reach a place of perfection or to be good enough to come into relationship with God. What hope then do we have? Grace is our hope. Grace is a free gift from God to anyone who would simply believe in the work Christ did on the cross for each one of us.

The law is like a diet! When you are on a diet you focus primarily on what foods you can’t eat. Because of this focus, the temptation is even greater. The law continually shows us what we are not allowed to do and what we must stay away from. The law shows us how far away from God we really are. It fulfills it’s purpose by showing us how much of a sinner we are. In many ways the law is governed by fear, in that we fear failing God constantly.

Grace is freedom! Under grace it is no longer what we are not allowed to do but the privilege we have to really enjoy a relationship with God. Grace opens a pathway to receiving love and giving love directly to the Father. When l submit to God’s grace, it is love that rules in my heart. For example, under the law I am told, “You shall not commit adultery”. I am told what not to do. Under grace, I do not fear committing adultery because of the love I have for my wife. I am in love with my wife so I would never consider adultery. I don’t need to worry about the law. Grace enables us to have a love relationship with God.

Under grace we have the freedom to fall in love with the Lord and to receive His love. There is no fear in love because perfect love eliminates all fear. We battle the need to earn God’s love rather than simply resting in His grace. Tomorrow we will talk more about that as we read Romans 8.

You choose whether you are under law or grace. If you have a relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus the Christ, then you are under grace. If you do not then you are under the law and are subject to all of the penalties of the law. The law can’t get us into the presence of the Lord. It is only grace that can do that. Grace can’t be earned. It is a free gift given to whoever would accept it. Don’t live under the law! Accept God’s grace for you.