Law and Grace

The Law, as found in the Old Testament, refers to the Ten Commandments and the other rituals and moral regulations of the Jews. The Law is also referred to as the Mosaic Law – which alludes to its origin.

Grace, on the other hand, is popularly defined as “unmerited favour.” In the context of the New Testament, grace is God’s free gift of salvation for the “man of faith.” This means that it is a gift to all those who believe in the redemptive work of Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the concepts and implications of the Law and Grace for Christians in Romans 4:13 – 25; 5: 8- 21.

Paul’s teaching on Law and Grace

In his letter to the Romans, Paul used the cases of Abraham and Adam to illustrate the purpose and the significance of Law and Grace. According to him, man lives by faith and not by the dictates of the Law. This was proved in Abraham’s relationship with God. Abraham was the father of many nations by faith. He believed the promises of God and faithfully obeyed God’s commands. This act of faith made all to be well with him. Thus, the promise of God to Abraham and his descendants about their inheritance did not come through the Law but through righteousness of faith. Abraham obtained the righteousness of God by faith in God’s promises. In other words, Abraham was justified by his faith and by so doing obtained the grace of God.

How exactly did he obtain the grace of God? Paul noted that though Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah, his wife, 90 years old, he still faithfully believed God’s promise that they would have a child. He also believed that he would become the father of many nations. Thus, Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. This made God’s grace available to him.

Since Abraham was justified by faith, it means therefore that those who adhere to the Law cannot be partakers of the promises God gave to Abraham. However, those who share the faith of Abraham are heirs of God’s inheritance (that is, by their faith partake of the blessings of Abraham). This is because the Law “brings wrath,” while grace ”depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace, and be guaranteed to all his descendents.”

Paul also used the case of Abraham to explain the purpose of Law and Grace. He said that all mankind was condemned because of the sin of Adam, but through God’s grace and righteousness in Jesus, mankind has been saved. Thus, the grace of God makes eternal life available. Paul further states that the Law came in and brought increase in sin but the grace of God through righteousness (which man gets when he believes in Jesus Christ) leads to eternal life.

Significance of Paul’s teaching on Law and Grace

1. It could be gleaned from Paul’s teaching that mere observance of the Law cannot give man salvation because the purpose of the Law was to lead man to God. The Law is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

2. Through faith in Jesus Christ, the Christian obtains salvation and the grace of God.

3. Through the grace of God, the Christian is assured of eternal life.

4. Faith enables Christians to face life’s challenges with courage.

5. Faith motivates Christians for good works in all fields of human endeavour.