Do We Live by Law or by Grace?

To answer this question, let’s begin by defining both the Mosaic Law and the grace of God. By doing this, we can determine the roles that God’s Law and His grace play in our lives.

What is Law?

The Law generally refers to the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments reflect the perfection of God and the perfect life that He calls us to, even though we can never fully attain it.

Furthermore, we should note that Jesus did not abolish or destroy the Law; instead, He fulfilled it. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” The Law stands as a moral foundation for all that is right and good, highlighting God’s holiness and guiding us in how to live.

What is grace?

Grace is defined as being given something we do not deserve—something we have not earned. The gift of salvation is “by grace…through faith” in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). His death paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection gives us life. The Lord’s life, death, burial, and resurrection represent the good news—the gospel of saving grace. We cannot do anything to earn it; we can only receive it as a free gift from God, through Christ.

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Through God’s grace, we are transformed and made more like Jesus.  Zechariah 4:6: “Not by [your] might, nor by [your] power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”  This means we depend on God’s Spirit, not our own strength, to live the life He desires for us.

The Purpose of the Law

Since the Law cannot save anyone, what is its purpose? The answer is that the Law is good because it reveals our sin to us.

Romans 3:20  …for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

For those who have not accepted Christ, the Law exposes sin and leads them to see their need for salvation. For believers, the Law reveals where we fall short and helps us grow in holiness, or sanctifying faith.

In His final moments on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” As Christians, we understand that His finished work paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way to eternal life. The same grace that saves us in justification is also active in saving us in our daily walk of faith (sanctification).

The Grace of God

In His final moments on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” As Christians, we understand that His finished work paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way to eternal life. The same grace that saves us from our sins in justification is also active in saving us in our daily walk of faith (sanctification).

 “It is finished” is true in our justification and our sanctification. It is the Lord’s finished work and His gift of the Holy Spirit that grows us in holiness and conforms us to His image (Romans 8:29).

We should preach the gospel to ourselves every day, remembering Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection.  Take comfort in the fact that He has forgiven every sin you have ever committed or will commit.

Colossians 2:13-14  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 

Also, remember the power of the Holy Spirit, who equips and empowers you to grow in your love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Living in Grace and Guided by the Law

We live IN His grace and BY His grace.

As Christians, we live by the sanctifying grace of God. But we also stand on the Law of God as our moral foundation, the basis of all that is righteous. The Law instructs us and directs our hearts and minds to seek God, while reminding us of how far short we fall in obeying His commands.

Remembering His grace will equip, encourage, and empower us to understand and love His Law as another gift of grace— a “picture” of the holiness and glory of God—the holiness that we will one day attain and the glory that we will one day behold.

 1 Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Therefore, we thank God for the grace He gives us.

In conclusion, remember this: the Law reveals the sin in your life that creates a barrier between you and God, but only grace can restore you to a right relationship with Him. Only by grace can you find rest in Christ.

We live by Grace!!!

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