Grace and Law, What's the Difference?

Understanding the affiliation between grace and the law is necessary for those who claim to be Christians. This is because if these two topics are misunderstood in how they relate, then some may find themselves holding to a false hope. The believers in Galatia believed a false gospel that said Christ’s sacrifice was not enough for salvation. This was Paul’s purpose for writing them. Paul said, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6–7 NASB). Paul calls this form of the gospel distorted because it attempts to add the law to Christ’s work. As believers seek to understand their salvation, they must recognize that they are no longer under the law. When this is accomplished, they will be capable of living freely in Christ.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). It is this verse that summarizes Paul’s thoughts about the law. Believers have been freed from living under a law that was impossible to obey. Paul reminds the Galatians that they are heirs of the freewoman and, therefore, they have an inheritance as sons and daughters. Galatians 4:6–7 says, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Believers can find assurance that they will receive their inheritance through the grace of God. However, the law does still have some use today.

The purpose of the law was to reveal sin. It showed the Israelites what God’s expectations are and that no one can meet them on their own. This is why the grace found in Jesus’ sacrifice is so valuable. Christ took the place of mankind so that they can freely receive the righteousness of God. “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:23–26). The role of the law in today’s context then is to continue showing believers what sin is so they know how to avoid it. The law helps point individuals to see that their only hope is in Christ. The advantage found in grace is that the law is written in the hearts of believers so that they do not have to worry about a list of rules. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). When believers live in the Spirit and under grace, they will not have to keep a constant focus on the law as was the custom in the Old Testament.

Works Cited

NASB. New American Standard Version. The Holy Bible. Lockman, 2013.

This article was originally written for Assignment 5-1 of The New Testament and Theology taught by Professor Joel Jupp (Moody Distance Learning)