Clarification About God's Law & Grace
This is probably one of the most misunderstood topics of scripture and I pray that this may help others clear up any confusion on this. Feel free to look up these biblical references on this topic:
Romans: Chapters 6, 7, & 8: 1-17
Matthew: Chapter 5: 17-20
John: Chapter 14: 15, 21, & 23-24
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Obedience is doing something that pleases God (because you love Him)
*Following both the letter AND the spirit of the law*
Legalism is doing something your own way (for your own selfish reasons) while pretending to do something that pleases God
*Following ONLY the letter and not the spirit of the law (or vice versa)*
God’s Law (His Commandments / His way of doing things) is only a mirror that points out our sin in us. It does not have the power to change a person’s heart on its own. That’s why heart transformation via the Holy Spirit as a result of faith in Christ is needed in order to actually keep God’s Law. Christians don’t keep the Law in order to be saved. They keep the Law because they already are saved (out of gratitude) by faith in Christ. Obedience is the fruit (aka evidence) of a heart that truly loves God and wants to please Him.
“Under the law” - Means a person is under condemnation of it (because they are breaking it intentionally). This also means that the person is dependent upon or controlled by the law in order to do what is right (because they won’t just do it on their own).
“Under Grace” - Means a person has accepted Christ’s sacrifice for their salvation and are no longer breaking the law intentionally. They are led by the Holy Spirit now, which means they will automatically do what is right as a result of following the Holy Spirit and don’t technically “need” the law to stay in check (like those who are actually under the law). [Galations 5:16-18]
The Law was not made for the righteous, but for the wicked. [1 Timothy 1:9-10 and Galations 3:19]
Upstanding citizens don’t technically need the law because they would never do anything to break the law. But criminals will... which is why it is in place. This makes sense in both a civil society and in God’s kingdom.
None of this removes our responsibility to follow God's Law though. Paul said himself that we must still uphold the law [Romans 3:31] and even Jesus said himself that he never came to abolish the law. What he was trying to teach people was a better way to keep it [Read all of Chapter 5 in Matthew for full context].
When Jesus died on the cross, the only things that were abolished was the animal sacrifices (because his sacrifice was for all and the temple curtain was torn in two signifying that change) and the actual charge of our sins [Colossians 2:13-15].
A person cannot be arrested without a "charge", which is simply a formal accusation of something they did wrong. When that person goes to trial, the judge hears testimony from both sides and decides if the charge is true or false. If the charge is true, then sentencing begins. Imagine Jesus coming into the courtroom AFTER it had already been proven that we broke God's law and we are set for punishment (the wages of sin is death), but he instead took that punishment on himself and pardoned us. Now we are no longer under condemnation because there is no longer a "charge" against us. Christ paid the penalty. THAT IS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED!
God's law went nowhere and will remain until all things in prophecy come to pass [Matthew 5:17-19].