“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Ever heard or quoted that verse before, especially when the discussion of ‘law’ comes up? It’s a great line, is it not? But have you ever wondered who that might apply to, though?

Our ‘entitled ticket-boy-wonder’ was quick to quote that to the judge in my analogy from yesterday’s message, which I hope you read; and I use that example from time to time to illustrate how we have not truly understood what grace is...or how it works in the life of a true follower of Jesus. So Galatians 5:18 might bring more clarity as to who are the true recipients of this thing we call ‘grace’:

“IF...IF...IF...you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Gal. 5:18). Please allow that to sink in, for a moment.

Want to take a shot at guessing what this implies for anyone who is NOT...being led by, or following the leading of God’s Spirit? (Rom. 8:14; Luke 6:46).

We are told in Romans 8:13 that if we are being led( by His Spirit)...we are ‘putting to death the deeds of this flesh nature’, not just dialing them down or covering them up, or ignoring them. We are being led to confront them head on, confessing them and then repenting of them as we put them to death once and for all as we ‘overcome’ them by the ‘blood of the Lamb’ ... through our faith in Christ Jesus. Does that not sound promising to you to know that you can truly defeat anger and pride and lust and bitterness...once and for all?

And guess what...those who are actually ‘walking in the Spirit...no longer fulfill the lusts of the flesh’ (Gal. 5:16)...because those who ‘belong to Christ...have... (done what, according to Gal. 5:24)? We ‘used to do those things...when we walked according to the pattern of this world when the spirit who now works in sons of disobedience’ was operating IN us as we fulfilled those fleshly desires’ (Eph. 2:2-3). But children of God no longer live that way. And if you are being told any different...you might be in danger of being ‘deceived by empty words’ (Eph. 5:5-6).

So let’s talk about this ‘law’ once again, because I have no doubt that many are confused and ‘in the dark’ when it comes to the subject of God’s law(s) and the relevancy it has, if any...to NT believers/followers of Jesus. I know I was ignorant of this for years...until God began to remove the scales from my eyes beginning 6 years ago. So let’s take a look from scripture as to what we should know about God’s laws based on what is revealed to us in scripture.

We know that Jesus did not come to abolish or to do away with the law, based on His declaration in Matt. 5:17. I know people are quick to chime in when hearing this, saying: “But yes...Jesus fulfilled the law”! And then they say nothing else as if that should clear everything up. Some might add this misconceived idea that anyone who confesses a faith in Christ then reaps the benefits and blessing ‘because Jesus fulfilled the law’...which then has me wanting to ask...’yea...and???’ And guess what we are supposed to be doing if we are truly ‘abiding in Jesus’, according to 1 John 2:3-6? We are supposed to be ‘keeping the commandments (law) and walking just as Jesus walked’.

So what purpose does the law serve?...Paul asked in Gal. 3:19; and that is a great question. How would you answer that? (What is the reason any society has laws, even today?) Paul goes on to say there that “it was added because of transgressions...” which occurred some 430 years after God established a covenant with Abraham (Gal. 3:17).

So let’s read on. Paul tells us in Romans 7:12 that the law continues to be holy...and just... and good...as the commandment is holy and just and good’. In fact, look at Romans 2:13 where Paul informs us that “not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” That alone...should give all of us serious pause. Now hang with me because it would be easy (if you are getting confused)... to just dismiss all of this and tell yourself “I’m just putting my trust in Jesus and that is all I need to know and do!”.

Take a moment and read through 1 Timothy 1:8-10. Does Paul state, once again that the ‘law is good...if used lawfully’? And who does he say that law is for...and not for? The law still stands in effect, but ...is ”not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and disobedient and the ungodly and sinners and the unholy...etc...” (9). (Once again, why do we have laws today...be it criminal, civil, or traffic laws?)

So let me ask you this- “who exactly is a ‘righteous’ person”...according to 1 John 2:29 and 3:7-8? Does it say that ‘anyone who has accepted Jesus as personal savior is righteous’, or does it say something else there?

Now let me attempt to ‘connect some more dots’ here with the hopes we might gain some more understanding of the relevancy of God’s law, even today. Going out in your own strength and ability in an attempt to ‘keep God’s laws’...does not make anyone ‘righteous’ (Rom. 3:20-22). The truth of the matter is- none of us are capable of fulfilling God’s law in the manner in which He demands that we do, which is summed up nicely in ‘loving Him with all our heart, mind, and strength...and loving others as He loved us’ (Matt. 22:36-40; Luke 10:25-28; John 13:34-35; 15:12; Rom. 5:8).

But...but...but...IF/when we are led by His Spirit, guess what the results are...IF...IF...IF...we are truly led by His Spirit and put to death all the deeds of this flesh nature? Take a look at Romans 8:4 and get ready for a ‘light bulb’ to come on for you when you read that! We fulfill the law of God...Through our faith in Christ (which is an active faith) as we follow Him. That is the ONLY way this can happen. Now...some of you might be wondering- ‘so where does “grace” come into all this?’ I’m glad you asked- take a look at Ezekiel 36:23-27. Then ask yourself this:

If God’s law was irrelevant to us today, then why did He make the point to foretell of a day coming when He would ‘would write His laws in our minds and hearts’ (Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10;10:16)? And who exactly does He say will cause us to walk...in these laws and statutes, there in Ezek. 36:27?

Friends...that...is ‘grace in action’. It’s ALL Him...doing it...IF...IF...IF...we have surrendered to His Lordship and are following Him! (Luke 6:46; John 10:27). But where the ‘ignorance meter’ really lights up for most of us today...is when it comes to understanding what the implications are if we are NOT...being led by His Spirit. Then we are ‘under the law’ and subject to all the wrath and condemnation that the law brings (Hosea 4:6), which is what we will study tomorrow, Lord willing.