Romans 6:14
I’ve heard this phrase so many times when I share with Christians about how our family obeys the law of Moses: "But we aren’t under the law. We’re under grace."
To these people, not being under the law must mean “We are not obligated to be obedient to the law.” I think that’s an interpretive error.
Not being under the law (for the believer in Christ) actually means not being under the law's penalty or curse. Paul, in the book of Romans, writes about salvation by grace through faith (Romans 2-5). He does this on the basis of the work of Yeshua; his perfect life, substitute death, and victorious resurrection. Faith in Yeshua's work frees us from the penalty of the law, and therefore sin has no dominion over us any longer, meaning we have been set free from the curse of the law due because of sin.
If you've ever been caught speeding you know what the phrase "under the law" can refer to. The moment the policeman turns on his blue lights and gets behind you, you know you’ve broken the law and are under the law. If by grace someone pays the fine for you (or the cop lets you go with a warning), you are then released from the penalty of the law. You are no longer under the law. Should you then speed away while shaking your fist at the cop for pulling you over? After all, you're under grace, right?
When I hear people make the statement “We’re not under the law but under grace,” I immediately ask them where that’s written. Most of them do not know. I then tell them, “Romans 6:14.” After this I share with them what Romans 6:15 and following says. I’d encourage you to go read those verses right now.
To these people, not being under the law must mean “We are not obligated to be obedient to the law.” I think that’s an interpretive error.
Not being under the law (for the believer in Christ) actually means not being under the law's penalty or curse. Paul, in the book of Romans, writes about salvation by grace through faith (Romans 2-5). He does this on the basis of the work of Yeshua; his perfect life, substitute death, and victorious resurrection. Faith in Yeshua's work frees us from the penalty of the law, and therefore sin has no dominion over us any longer, meaning we have been set free from the curse of the law due because of sin.
If you've ever been caught speeding you know what the phrase "under the law" can refer to. The moment the policeman turns on his blue lights and gets behind you, you know you’ve broken the law and are under the law. If by grace someone pays the fine for you (or the cop lets you go with a warning), you are then released from the penalty of the law. You are no longer under the law. Should you then speed away while shaking your fist at the cop for pulling you over? After all, you're under grace, right?
When I hear people make the statement “We’re not under the law but under grace,” I immediately ask them where that’s written. Most of them do not know. I then tell them, “Romans 6:14.” After this I share with them what Romans 6:15 and following says. I’d encourage you to go read those verses right now.