Note: for the best experience please pick-up this book to follow along.
Day 7: Law vs. Grace – The Balance of Freedom
In Romans 6:14, Paul delivers a profound statement: “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” This verse highlights one of the central themes in the book of Romans—the tension between living under the law and living under grace. As believers, we are no longer bound by the law for righteousness; instead, we live in the freedom of grace. But what does this mean, and how do we navigate the relationship between law and grace in our daily lives?
The Purpose of the Law
Before we can fully understand grace, we need to grasp the purpose of the law. The law, given to Israel in the Old Testament, was God’s standard for righteousness. It outlined how people were to live in order to be holy and set apart for Him. However, the law also exposed the reality of sin. As Paul explains in Romans 3:20, “through the law we become conscious of our sin.” The law revealed how far we fall short of God’s perfection and holiness.
The law was never intended to save us. Instead, it served as a “schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24) to lead us to Christ by showing us our need for a Savior. It showed us that, on our own, we could never achieve the righteousness required by God. The law exposes our inability to live a sinless life and points us to the grace found in Jesus.
Living Under Grace
Grace is the unearned favor of God, and it is the foundation of our salvation. In Romans 5:20-21, Paul writes, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Grace goes beyond merely covering our sins—it sets us free from the power of sin and gives us new life in Christ.
Living under grace means that we are no longer striving to earn God’s approval through works. Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to follow the law perfectly. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law on our behalf, and through His sacrifice, we receive the righteousness of God by faith. This is the beauty of grace: we are justified by faith, not by our works.
Grace is Not a License to Sin
However, Paul anticipates a potential misunderstanding of grace. In Romans 6:1-2, he asks, “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?” Grace is not a license to live however we want, ignoring God’s standards. Instead, grace empowers us to live a holy life, motivated not by fear of punishment, but by love and gratitude for what Christ has done.
When we truly understand the grace we’ve received, it transforms our hearts. We don’t want to abuse that grace by continuing in sin. Instead, we desire to live in a way that reflects the holiness of God. Grace frees us from the impossible burden of the law, but it also calls us to live in obedience to God out of love, not obligation.
The Balance of Law and Grace
While we are not under the law, the law still serves an important purpose in our lives. It reveals God’s character and gives us a picture of His standard of righteousness. As believers, we don’t follow the law to earn salvation, but we do look to God’s commands as a guide for living a life that pleases Him.
The balance of law and grace can be summed up in this way: the law shows us our need for grace, and grace empowers us to live out the righteousness that the law requires. The law convicts us of sin, but grace offers us forgiveness and the strength to overcome sin.
How This Applies to Us Today
Understanding the relationship between law and grace is essential for living the Christian life. Many of us fall into one of two traps: we either try to earn our salvation by following the rules (legalism), or we treat grace as a free pass to do whatever we want (license). But Paul calls us to a higher way—living in the freedom of grace while honoring God’s righteousness.
If you find yourself constantly striving to be “good enough” for God, remember that you are not under the law. Your worth and salvation are based on God’s grace, not your performance. On the other hand, if you’ve been treating grace as an excuse to live however you please, reflect on the cost of that grace. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your freedom, and the right response is a life of obedience and gratitude.
Reflection Questions:
- How have you seen the tension between law and grace play out in your own life?
- In what areas do you struggle with either legalism (trying to earn God’s favor) or license (abusing grace to justify sin)?
- How can understanding the balance of law and grace help you live more fully in the freedom Christ has given you?
Final Thought
The law and grace are not in opposition—they work together to lead us into deeper relationship with God. The law shows us our need for a Savior, and grace provides the way to salvation and transformation. As we walk in this balance, we can live in the freedom of grace, free from the burden of the law but empowered to live holy lives that reflect the love and character of God. Let’s embrace this freedom, honoring God with our lives as we walk in the grace He has so generously given.