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Law or Grace

Paul contrasts the phrase “under law” with “under grace” (see Romans 6:14 – 15; Galatians 4:4 – 5; 5:18). “Under grace” means having a God who is for us and gives us what we need; in contrast the law is against us and says we have to earn, through our own performance, what we need. What this means is that life under the law is basically a life in which we get what we deserve, and we have to be afraid of God (see Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:21). In this scenario, to get anywhere we have to make it all happen ourselves. On the other hand, grace means God is for us and says, “I will help you do it.” Grace reverses the law.

When we are under the law — in our natural state — we feel that God is the enemy and that we get what we deserve. We try to “earn” life. We try to do whatever we think will get God to like us or whatever we think will solve our day-to-day problems. Thus, we try to save ourselves; we try to grow and resolve our issues by our own efforts. Yet Paul says that this way of living is the exact opposite of living according to faith and grace. This is not just theology; it is exactly how people end up living out their real-life problems until they grasp the reality of grace. And the result of living under law is failure.

That’s not the path God designed for us. He planned a system that goes beyond the first half of Romans 6:23 and includes the second half. That’s the way of grace — freely receiving “the gift of God,” that is, “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And it means that we continue to turn to God for his grace not only to be forgiven, but also to live and help solve life’s problems. “Eternal life” begins today, not when we die. By living in his grace, we begin to come to life, and that life through grace will last forever.