Do we live by law or by grace?

Q. Do we still live by the Mosaic Law? Did the Law end with the death of Jesus? Do we live by Law or by grace? I have to answer this question for some people, but I am not sure myself. What does the Bible say about it? 

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. 

Paul reminds us that “the law is holy, and the commandments holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). While the Law is indeed all of these things, it is important to understand that it cannot save anyone; only Jesus can save sinners. Jesus came to earth and kept the Law perfectly, which means He honored God by living according to His will and did not break any of His commandments—something we cannot achieve.

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.”

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. 

In addition to saving grace, there is also a sanctifying grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When we come to Christ in repentance and faith, trusting in His finished work on the cross, He saves us from the penalty of our sins. In doing so, He also gives us eternal life and the presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides and teaches us in all things, and convicts us of sin. This moment marks the beginning of our lifelong journey of sanctification on earth. Sanctification is the process of growing in holiness and becoming more conformed to the image of our Saviour, as Paul proclaims in his letter to the church at Rome:

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.

Thus, the gospel not only saves us from the penalty of sin, but it also provides us with sanctifying grace that saves us from the power of sin by enabling us to overcome it. We are incapable of conquering sin on our own; therefore, God graciously gave us with His Spirit:

 Zechariah 4:6: “Not by [your] might, nor by [your] power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

What purpose does the Law serve today?

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.

The Law proclaims God’s perfect standard for righteous living, and we are to measure our behavior by this standard. It is only when we recognize and understand our sin that we can repent, turn from sin, and turn to Christ. The Law works in the lives of all people: 

1. For the lost, the Law reveals their sin and leads them to saving faith in Christ.
2. For believers, the Law reveals their sin and helps them grow in sanctifying faith, meaning growing in holiness. 

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, in 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.

The answer to the question, “Do we live by Law or grace?” 

We live IN His saving grace and BY His sanctifying grace!

As Christians, who have repented and trusted in Christ’s finished work, we live in the grace of His gift of salvation and we live by the grace of His Spirit, who dwells in us and sanctifies us.  

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.

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 of obeying His commands.  Therefore, we thank God for the grace He gives us. 

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!!!

<*}}}><

SaveSave