From Law to Grace

 BY Argie Simonis

The apostle Paul describes an important truth in his letter to the Galatians:

"And the law is not of faith: but, The man that does them shall live in them." Gal. 3:12

Let's combine this with what he said to the Romans:

"... whatever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23

The conclusion here was a blasphemy for both the Pharisees of the day and the Christian legalists of today. It is a sin for a New Testament believer to try to have a relationship with God by trying to keep the Law of the Old Testament.

The Law itself is not a sin:

"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid..." Rom. 7:7

But it is sin to try to use the law for justification with God. This was never the purpose of the law.

Under the Law, a person got what he deserved. Under faith, however, the New Testament believer receives grace because of what Jesus did for him. Any departure from faith, especially the return to the Old Testament Law, voids the work of Christ and is the worst sin of all:

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal. 2:21

Only our faith in Jesus unlocks the prison door from the guilt and condemnation of the Law. The Lord redeemed us at a very great price from the curse of the Law and we, as His children, must walk in the freedom He has given us and enjoy our lives with Him!