From Law to Grace: Embracing the Freedom in Christ

Transition from law to grace through Christ – Romans 6:14, Galatians 5:1

Law & Grace

In Christian theology, the relationship between law and grace is central to understanding the gospel. The law, as given in the Old Testament, was meant to guide God’s people and reveal sin. However, with Christ’s coming, the law is fulfilled, and believers are now under grace (Romans 6:14). This means righteousness is achieved through faith in Christ’s completed work, not through legalistic adherence.

Theologian Martin Luther emphasized this with his doctrine of justification by faith alone, a key Reformation idea, where the law shows sin and drives us to Christ, while grace saves us. Many contemporary teachings echo this, suggesting Christ’s sacrifice frees believers from needing additional works, liberating them from legalism to live in grace’s freedom.

The relationship between law and grace is fundamental, often interpreted as a shift from Old Testament law to New Testament grace through Christ. Research suggests many teachings emphasize that Christ’s sacrifice fulfilled the law, rendering it no longer binding in the same way, aligning with Romans 6:14, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Martin Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith alone, from “The Freedom of a Christian” (The Freedom of a Christian), underscores this, with the law showing sin and driving to Christ, while grace saves. In Reformed circles, like John Calvin, the law guides Christian living post-justification. Still, contemporary views often emphasize freedom from legalism, suggesting Christ’s work makes believers perfect without works, liberating from fear-driven, sin-consciousness life.

This chapter explores the transition from living under the law to living under grace through Christ’s finished work, a central theme in many contemporary Christian teachings. The law, as given in the Old Testament, was meant to guide God’s people and reveal sin, as stated in Romans 3:20, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Galatians 3:24 further explains, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”

Christ fulfilled the law’s requirements, as seen in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,” and Romans 10:4, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” This fulfillment means believers are now under grace, not law, as Romans 6:14 declares, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace,” and Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Living under grace involves freedom from sin’s power, not condoning sin but enabling holy living, as Romans 6:1-2 asks, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Jude 1:4 warns against turning grace into a license for immorality, but the emphasis is on grace as the power to live victoriously.

To illustrate, consider a believer burdened by legalism, feeling they must earn God’s favor through works. Through understanding grace, they find freedom. The law was a shadow, but Christ is the reality. His finished work has set us free from the law’s demands.

Grace is not a license to sin; it’s the power to live victoriously. When we understand that we are already accepted and loved by God, we are motivated to live a life that honors Him.

Martin Luther, in “The Freedom of a Christian” (The Freedom of a Christian), emphasized justification by faith alone, aligning with this view. Joseph Prince, in “Destined to Reign” (Destined to Reign: The Secret to Effortless Success, Wholeness and Victorious Living), writes, “Grace is not about what you do; it’s about what Christ has done. It’s the power of God unto salvation.”