Law and Grace

The Pursuit of Christ in Freedom

For many, the concepts of "Law" and "Grace" stand in stark opposition. We often see the Law—represented by the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic system—as the heavy burden of "do’s and don’ts," while Grace is the effortless, joyful freedom that follows.

While this contrast captures the essence of the Gospel, it misses a crucial point: the Law and Grace were never meant to be enemies. They are two interconnected aspects of God’s perfect plan, and understanding their relationship is key to genuinely pursuing Christ.

The Purpose of the Law: A Mirror, Not a Ladder

The Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, was perfect (Psalm 19:7). It was holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12).

But what was its purpose?

1. To Reveal Sin (The Mirror): The Law acts like a perfect mirror, showing us the true condition of our hearts. It doesn’t save us; it convicts us. "Through the law we become conscious of sin" (Romans 3:20). It exposes our inherent inability to measure up to God's flawless standard, shutting every mouth and proving that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

2. To Lead Us to Christ (The Guardian): Paul calls the Law a "guardian" or a "schoolmaster" that leads us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). It locked us up and held us captive, not to punish us eternally, but to point us toward the only exit: faith in Jesus. It served its purpose by creating a desperate need for a Savior.

The Law, therefore, is not a ladder for us to climb to reach God; it is the drop-off point that proves we need a parachute—and that parachute is Christ.

Grace: The Power of the New Covenant

If the Law demonstrates our failure, Grace provides the solution. Grace is often defined as God's unmerited favor—He gives us what we don't deserve (salvation) and withholds what we do deserve (judgment).

1. Justification by Grace

The core of the Gospel is justification: being declared righteous in God's sight. This does not happen through our adherence to the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:28). When we put our trust in Him, His perfect life is credited to our account, and our sin is charged to His. This exchange is a gift, purely by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. The Power for Sanctification

But grace doesn't end at salvation; it empowers our ongoing journey of growth, which theologically is called sanctification. Many people confuse freedom from the Law with freedom to sin. Paul vehemently rejects this idea: "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?" (Romans 6:1-2).

The very Law that condemned us now serves as a guide, written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We pursue Christ not because we must follow the Law to earn salvation, but because we want to follow His heart (the essence of the Law) out of profound gratitude for the grace we have received.

Pursuing Christ in Freedom

Our pursuit of Christ is thus a beautiful blend of Law and Grace:

• We are Free from the Condemnation of the Law: Christ fulfilled the Law on our behalf. We no longer live under the fear of judgment.

• We are Free to Fulfill the Intent of the Law: The entire Law is summarized in two commands: to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, grace gives us the ability to genuinely live out this love, which is the truest expression of pursuing Christ.

The Law points out the path, but grace provides the feet to walk it. Our pursuit of Jesus is not an anxious effort to earn God's favor, but a joyful response to the unfailing favor already granted to us in Christ. This is true freedom.