The Apostle Paul gave all Christians some of the most encouraging words in the Bible: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Unfortunately, these are also among the most misunderstood words in the entire Bible.
The vast majority of “Christians” believe that the law was nailed to the cross with Jesus Christ. They teach that Christians have been “freed from the law” by grace because the law itself has been “done away.” Therefore, they conclude that Christians do not have to obey God’s law because grace abounds.
Is this commonly held view the truth? Jesus Christ said that “true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Knowing the truth is critical to salvation! We need to know what the Bible really teaches on this important subject.
Is God’s Law “Done Away”?
What is grace? To the typical “Christian,” grace is God’s mercy, His forgiveness, the unmerited pardon from past sin. These are true statements regarding past sins, but what about future sins—sins committed after becoming a Christian?
The Apostle John wrote that “sin is the transgression of the law” (i John 3:4), and Paul explained that “sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Rom. 5:13). Applying some simple logic, if the law was in fact “done away” it would be impossible for a Christian to sin. That means there would be no need for grace once a person accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Savior!
Long after the death of Christ, John boldly stated that “If we [Christians] say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (i John 1:8). Clearly, John was not under the illusion that the law had been done away.
Paul wrote, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandments holy, and just, and good” (Rom. 7:12). Many “Christians” have little or no respect for the law.
John said, “And hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (i John 2:3-4).
Jesus said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17). Many professing Christians say that is not necessary! Jesus also said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matt. 5:17). Modern-day “Christians” say Jesus Christ was mistaken—that He really did do away with the law!
Who are you going to believe?
License to Sin
Paul asked an interesting question: “Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?” His answer? “God forbid”! (Rom. 6:15). According to Paul, no Christian should ignore God’s law, or live contrary to God’s Ten Commandments, just because they are “under grace.”
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (v. 16). Paul was giving this warning to Christians! He knew it was still possible for Christians to “sin unto death”!
What did Paul tell Christians it was impossible for them to do? “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy [Spirit], And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6).
So, it is possible for Christians to fall away, but it is impossible for them to be renewed again unto repentance if they do. In other words, true Christians can commit the unpardonable sin even after coming under grace!
Jesus said the only way to be saved, to avoid committing the unpardonable sin, is to “endure unto the end” (Matt. 24:13). There can be no turning back once you become a true Christian—once you have received the Holy Spirit!
Paul explained that the key to salvation was to become servants of “obedience unto righteousness.” Christians can be “made free from sin” only if they learn to obey “from the heart” (Rom. 6:16-18).
On the first Day of Pentecost in the New Testament era, Peter said, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19).
To repent means to become determined not to sin again! With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, Christians can become converted—changed from carnal, sinful people, to obedient, righteous people. But that change doesn’t happen all at once. Christians continue to sin long after accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. That is why Christians must continue to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). When do Christians need grace the most? When they realize their sin! When they have broken God’s law!
Scripture thus makes clear that God extends His grace, or pardon, for past sins that we repent of. That grace eliminates the penalty for those sins. But it does not nullify or do away with the law, nor does it grant us license to sin in the future! (Jude 4).
Law and Grace
There is no question that Christians are under grace, but the New Testament also makes it clear that God’s law has not been done away! It is not a matter of law or grace. It’s a matter of law and grace. We need both!
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (i John 2:1). Even when a Christian sins, Jesus Christ is an Advocate. Christians can still be forgiven, but there is something important they must do.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (i John 1:9). Why would anyone confess to breaking a law that has been done away? They wouldn’t! That is what is so dangerous about this false doctrine believed by so many today.
Paul quoted the words of David recorded in Psalm 32:1-2, saying, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Rom. 4:7-8).
God wants to forgive the sins of all mankind. But more importantly, God wants to teach people to obey the law! “Whereof the Holy [Spirit] also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:15-17).
This is the New Covenant! When a Christian is being led by the Holy Spirit, God will be writing His laws into that person’s heart and mind. The Holy Spirit will never try to convince someone that God’s law has been done away!
One of the final thoughts expressed in the Bible is Christ’s statement: “[B]ehold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his [the Father’s] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:12-14).
Contrast this glorious promise with the warning in the next verse: “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (v. 15). Many people are being told a great lie concerning God’s law. Even when the truth is plainly recorded for all to see, that lie continues to flourish in the “Christian” community. Why? Because people love that lie. But unless they repent, they will not be saved!
Unfortunately, it is very unusual to find a Christian in this world who would agree with these words of David in Psalm 119:97-101: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”