Law & Grace (an observation)

I recently came across this humorous picture on a social networking site, at least on first glance I thought it was humorous, until I took the time to truly examine the real message it is sending to present day believers.  Let me explain!  The key verse used as a foundation for the illustration is Romans 6:14 which reads…

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom 6:14)

This is a wonderful truth, we are ‘no longer under the law’, no longer required to meet the 613 articles of the Old Testament law (Mitzvot) which I have to say (as a male, gentile believer) is a huge relief, as one of the requirements of the Old Testament law is circumcision, and I really don’t fancy booking myself in for circumcision any time soon!  Whilst preaching His most famous sermon, the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus said…

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. (Matt 5:17)

Jesus fulfilled all of the law, He met every single requirement of all 613 articles. He lived a totally sinless life so that through His sacrifice on the cross, all the righteous requirements of the law could be met in us (Rom 8:3&4). Hallelujah!  We are no longer bound to animal sacrifices in order to overcome sin. We have a Saviour in Jesus Christ who has taken our place and bore the punishment for our sin in His own body.

Now, lets take a look at the foundation verse to our infamous picture in context and examine some of the negative message that it’s sending out…

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom 6:11-14)

In this passage, Paul is talking very clearly about the freedom we have from sin through the life we have with God in Jesus Christ. Verse 12 tells us clearly “do not let sin reign in your mortal body”, followed in verse 13 by the encouragement to “offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness”.  Why should we do these things?  The answer is provided in verse 14…

“because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom 6:14)

The grace of God has set us free from the law and the effects of the law. The law is the school master that leads us to Christ. It reveals sin to us and shows us our imperfections. Grace sets us free and grants us the ability to live free from sin. Just as Paul writes to Titus…

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12)

Being under grace does not liberate us from living righteously, it enables us to live righteously! Being under grace does not liberate us from living holy New Testament lives, it gives us the power to live to the glory of God. How this relates to the picture above is found in the fictional statement made by the caricature judge. Observe the words writen…

“Give more! Pray more! Fast More! Evangelise More! More! More! More! You’re not doing good enough! Obey the law! Turn or burn! …and …and don’t forget it’s 10% not 9%!”

Remember, I thought this picture was funny… at least until I had a good look at it. What I noticed, and have come to decide is very concerning, is the relationship that is being made between the 613 articles of the law and the New Testament functions of prayer, fasting and evangelism. These function have no relationship to the 613 articles of the law and are actively encouraged throughout the New Testament. Let’s look at a few verses to ensure we are upholding New Testament Christian living…

pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NIV)

But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. (Mark 2:20 NIV)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. (Acts 13:2 NIV)

What we need to learn from these things is not to take one truth to such an extreme that it causes us to remove, or devalue, other truths in scripture. We are under grace, but we are not liberated from New Testament teaching or exercising the disciplines of the Christian life.

Remember the words of Paul…

“offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.(Rom 6:11-14)

Pastor Neil Reid