Throughout the Church’s history, there has been an interesting understanding of grace vs law. This view is perhaps best illustrated when viewing texts such as Romans 6:15 which states:
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!” (Romans 6:15 NAS95)
Traditionally this passage has been understood by mainstream Christianity to mean that believers are no longer “under” obligation to keep the law of Moses, but are rather held to some code of conduct that is undefined.
Paul is sure that the Roman Christians have themselves experienced this new freedom from sin, for the wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which [they] were entrusted (17b). By wording the matter in this way, Paul hints at the same time that Christians, freed from the Mosaic law, are nevertheless bound by an authoritative code, a ‘form of teaching’ in some ways similar to that of the Mosaic law (see 2:20). Christians have a new obligation. Vs 17-23 explain it as a development from what Paul has said earlier in the chapter. Freedom from sin, Paul asserts, means not that Christians are autonomous, living with no master or any obligations. It means rather a new slavery: but to righteousness (18-19) and to God (22).1
The notion that no longer “under the law” means that we are now freed from obeying the law of God and are now held to a different standard of “righteousness” is simply not supported by the rest of the Bible. In the same letter, Paul asks, “does faith, therefore nullify the law?” His answer… “may it never be, rather, it establishes the law.” (Rom. 3:31) Jesus tells us that not one jot or tittle has passed away from the law and that whoever breaks one of the least of the commands and teaches others to do the same shall be called least in the Kingdom. (Matt. 5:17ff) John tells us that sin is “lawlessness” (1John 3:4) and the list could go on.
Rather, it seems much more likely in the context of Romans 6 that Paul’s point is that we are no longer under the condemnation of the law, but have been set free from such condemnation through the payment made by Christ and are now free to serve God. This payment made by Christ is the definition of grace. We deserve death for our transgressions, but instead God has taken the penalty for us. Oh the sweet taste of undeserved grace that is bestowed on us by our Lord and Savior. Such a reality should bring any wretched sinner to a place of complete loyalty and devotion to our King.
Loyalty and devotion, how is this accomplished? Through obedience.
Many may find it contrary to the mainstream Christian mindset when I say that I believe God’s law is an outpouring of His grace. But with the penalty of disobeying the law taken away, the Torah itself becomes a perfect form of grace for the believer. This can be seen in several different ways.
The law of God is a reflection of who He is. If we want to understand God and His holiness in anyway, we must turn to the law. God states multiple times in the law that we are to “be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44, 19:2, 20:26, etc) We are able to do this by keeping the law because the law is a reflection of God. It is the best picture of God’s holiness that we as humans can see. To be able to see a picture of who God is and what His nature is is a means of grace.
The Bible tells us to conform to Christ and to be like Christ:
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1John 2:6)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:1-2)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
Mainstream Christianity does not disagree with the idea that we are to conform to Christ or be imitators of our Lord. Yet, what this looks like is not quite clear. Many will say that the law of Christ is anything that our Lord restates in the New Testament. This gets sticky though because laws such as cross-dressing and/or bestiality are never spoken outside of the law. It is then often argued that the moral parts of the law are to be kept by Christians while the ceremonial and civil laws have been done away with. This argument is also extremely flawed since a significant amount of the commands found in the law that Christianity does not practice, seem to fall into multiple categories including “moral.” Beyond this, can we honestly say that disobeying any command of God is moral? Certainly, any command that the most holy God has given should be considered a moral law.
The law of God is grace because it shows us how we are to follow, walk like, and conform to Christ.
Throughout history, YHVH has stood out as very different from the false gods. Those who worship other deities are left guessing as to when their god may get angry, withhold blessing, or simply decide to wipe out the worshipers. We see idols being made and offerings being placed in front of them to entice the deity to come close and be appeased.
On the totally opposite end of the spectrum, our God is personal, he wants to have a personal relationship with us. We do not have to attempt to lure God near to us so that He can be appeased, but rather, God dwells in us through His Holy Spirit. What is more, we are not left wondering if God will be angry with us on any particular day, or if He got drunk (like the pagan gods often do) and decide to wage war against us. Our God has told us exactly how He operates through a covenant document. We are told how temporal blessings come and what makes God angry. We know exactly what will get Israel kicked out of their land, and we know exactly how they can stay there. God is not hiding His ways from us, rather, through grace He has given us clear instructions on our relationship with Him.
Within Judaism it is understood that God loves Israel because He gave them commandments. The Torah itself states this:
“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:5–8 ESV)
Many within Christianity today believe that less “rules” means more love. The concept is reversed within Judaism and for good reason. A good example of this is to look at our kids. I tell my kids not to touch hot things, not to be mean to others, respect their elders, not to lie, and the list goes on. What is more, there are consequences for my children if they disobey. Most parents today would say this is not me being mean or hating my children, but a parent showing love by preparing my children for the world and to be upstanding members of society.
For some the opposite is true. We know parents that don’t discipline their children when they disobey, and we even know a family that doesn’t use the word “no” in their home. While this may seem like a fun way to run a household, the proof is in the pudding. Their kids are so misbehaved that my kids and their friends don’t want to hang out with them.
God’s commandments are not a burden (1John 5:3) but are an outpouring of love and grace to the ones He has chosen to call His own.
David calls the law of the Lord perfect, renewing the soul (Psalm 19:7), yet many believers today do not think of the law as perfect but as a flawed and outdated set of rules that needed to be changed. However, it is my belief that the law of God is not only perfect but is a delight and an out powering of God’s grace to His children. Believers that study the law of God will inevitably begin to, not only see its wonderful benefits and its beauty, but will fall in love with the covenant because it is a reflection of the one who has died for us and paid the price so that we can be in relationship with Him.
In the end, the law of God is so much more than rules and regulations for believers, it is an out powering of God’s grace to His people.
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