We’ve heard it said time and time again, “ye are no longer under the law, but under grace.” The question is: what does it mean to be under grace? Is grace a license to break the law? Does grace excuse believers from the law, or does it replace it?

The Apostle Paul addressed the same question we look at today:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:14

The Question of Grace vs. The Law: more Scriptures to consider:

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:18.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

Let’s explore the topic with an example.

You live in a two bedroom apartment and have a roommate called Adam. When Adam first moved in there were absolutely no problems. He was well mannered, well groomed, cleaned up after himself – just a delight to live with. A few weeks later Adam began leaving his belongings around the apartment, something that you absolutely hate! So you confronted Adam and let him know that he “lives with you, and not the other way around.” And if he will continue to live in your apartment then he must not leave his belongings around the apartment.

You see, what you just passed there was a law. Let’s look at the essence of a law carefully, laws are given to separate. Good from evil, acceptable from unacceptable, right from wrong, left from right. Laws can only exist when there are two opposing natures trying to co-exist.

Let’s take a look at the Word of GOD. Mankind was around for sometime before YAH introduced His commandments and laws. Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, yet the law did not come until Moses. Until YAHUVEH GOD sought a people to call His own. A people who He would live amongst. A people who would call Abba YAHUVEH their Elohim/God, and Father YAHUVEH them, His people/children.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19.

YAHUSHUA plainly teaches us that He did not come to destroy the law, nor the prophets. But came to fulfill them. Let’s note that. YAHUSHUA goes on to state: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

As scriptures state, the law is not evil, yet it reveals evil in us. It reveals that our nature is evil. What YAH deems Holy and good, we hate and remove from. Yet what YAH hates, the very same thing we love and abide in.

The law condemns and punishes because it reveals our sinful nature. The law distinguishes good from evil, it brings knowledge of sin, it brings separation from YAHUVEH GOD because it shows us that we are sinful, and He, Holy.

The law separates us from our Creator, yet YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH, the Word made flesh came that we might be reunited with Father YAHUVEH. This is often why grace and law are seen as opposites. Truth is, YAHUSHUA did not come to destroy the law. It would make no sense for Him to destroy the law as He is the Word made flesh. YAHUSHUA came that the law of YAH may be written on our hearts.

Expanding on the roommate example above, there are two ways that we can live with God.

1) He teaches us what pleases and displeases Him. That through this knowledge we keep his commandments thus abiding in His love. This is the law.

2) God creates within us with the desire to please Him. He births us anew with a heart after His own. In other word we become like Him – righteous. We desire what He desires, and abhor what He abhors. This is grace.

More Scripture to reference

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:31-34

HalleluYAH! The new covenant is YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH/Jesus Christ. Grace is the perfect law of YAH living in us. YAHUSHUA is the Word of Abba YAHUVEH, made flesh, He is the “Way, Truth, and Life.” If YAHUSHUA abides in us, then truly the Father Himself abides in us also.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

Grace is not the doing away of the law. Grace is the other side of the law, being one with the lawgiver. Grace allows us to keep the law naturally. Grace is the law written in our hearts.

Moses when giving the law sprinkled blood on the book of the law and on the people.

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:19-22.

They were enjoined, yet it was done externally. On the other hand, grace is the law written in our hearts. This is one of the revelations of Holy Communion. The word that was made flesh (bread) becomes a part of us, YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH/Jesus Christ lives in us.
When you are one with the Word, you are free. For your nature is as the nature of God, Holiness. All your desires are holiness – you are free from all external laws because of the perfect law of God that abides and leads you.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:18.

Grace and the Law, what are your thoughts? You’ve heard mine, what are yours? Comments in comment section!