What does it mean -- "not under the law"

Does it mean we don't have to obey God's law?
Of course it doesn't mean that, since God's purpose is to deliver us from sin. The law defines sin, and it's sin we need to be delivered from!

So why does Paul say we are not "under the law" but under grace?


The previous chapters have strongly emphasized a point.

That point is that no matter how hard we try, or how many good deeds we do, we will never earn salvation for we are all sinners condemned to death.

We must be justified by a Being outside of ourselves.
Our justification is not dependent on us observing any law -- not even the ten commandment law.

To be saved by law means one has to keep the law perfectly, completely, not just outwardly, but also inwardly, fully in thoughts and motives. To break it just once, one ends up being condemned by the law, as law breakers. Adam just ate a little forbidden fruit, yet everything hinged on that one sin, and threw everything into the camp of sin.

We haven't just sinned once -- we have sinned millions of times. The only thing the law can do for us, is condemn us.
We must keep that reality in mind as we study Romans six.

Christ was born "of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Gal 4:4-5

Christ was born under the same moral law that condemns humanity.
But that moral law did not condemn Him -- it vindicated Him and declared Him righteous. Why? Because, He alone, of all born of woman, kept the law fully and completely.

To be "under grace" is accepting not only Christ dying for our sins, but also accepting His merits of a perfect life accredited to us. He gives us a clean record, He gives us His righteousness and then bids us to walk with Him in obedience in the paths of righteousness.

We are not "under the law" which condemns us, but that law is still the standard of righteousness in which we walk with Christ in obedience to His leading, and the prompting of His Holy Spirit.

"The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law; for they are holy, just, and good".