“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
Many in Christendom have understood this to mean that the law (commandments) is no longer binding since we are under grace. However the Bible states the contrary.
1. Was the commandments of God made void?
“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid:yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17
Hebrew definition: Fulfill which is “plēroō” means: satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), accomplish, (be) complete, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
Answer: From these text it is very clear that Christ did not come to destroy the commandments neither is it void through faith, rather to fulfill. For the Bible does not contradict itself neither is it in disharmony. So the question which should be asked is, what does it mean to be under the law or under grace? Also is “the law” spoken of in this verse really referring to the Ten Commandments?
2. What does it mean to be “under the law”?
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19
Answer: Amazing! We gather that under the law is understood to be “guilty before God.”
3. What is grace?
“Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life…” Gen 19:19
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:11-12
Answer: Oh what a blessing! Grace is the mercy shown unto us by God which brings salvation.
4. What is Salvation?
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Answer: Salvation is being saved not in but from our sins. However there is a text which brings all of this together.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Praise God. He has died so that we would be made free from the “law”, from the law of sin and death, free from all guilt, free from shame. God have not made us free from His commandments, but free from the law of sin and death, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Which would enable us to live righteously.
5. What is righteousness?
“My tongue shall speak of thy word for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
Answer: God’s commandments are righteous.
The grace of God is there to forgive us for breaking God’s law, giving us a new life without the guilt of our past. Christ also through His blood and His life has given us the opportunity to live righteously even though we have messed up. He lived a life pure and spotless in full obedience to His commandments, depending upon His father for divine strength. Showing us that we too can obtain righteousness as we depend solely upon Him for strength.