Law or Grace

Timing is everything. The timing and placement of the following passage can make a world of difference.

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

It is true the definite article before law isn't in the greek textus receptus, but it doesn't matter in this article, my point is sustainable either way.

Often we take "not under law" or "not under the law" to mean we have no commitment to commandments, as if every commandment is a law. The next verse sheds more light on what we are under. 

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

We aren't under a principle or law, we are under a person, Jesus Christ. For some reason teachers correlate all commands with law. Yet, some commands are meant to save and provide instruction for grace, they aren't in legal form but are requirements nonetheless.

The word grace doesn't mean forgiveness, though forgiveness can come from grace. Grace can cover the forgiveness as well as the attitude and instruction leading to the forgiveness.

χάρις

charis

khar'-ece

From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

We are under graciousness which means God doesn't hold us to every moral precept he could, and we don't have to do some things others may expect.

The issue is whether grace still requires us to obey Christ. We aren't under law but under graciousness and joy. This can be God's acts of love and joy, such as offering Christ, giving us instruction and then saving us, or our acts of joy as we willingly serve Christ.

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

In a nutshell, we obeyed the instruction sent to us, an act of grace, and entered a servant relationship under Christ.

Grace included instruction, obedience, and becoming a servant.

Evangelicals have formulated a heretical definition of grace. Grace can include instructions to follow and can require our heart felt obedience. We aren't under law, but under gracious obedience. It was after saying we are under grace in Romans 6 that he said we obeyed a doctrine delivered. They are discussed in the same framework. Grace leads to repentance. Grace led to Acts 2:38 you might say. It has repentance.

We will be judged by our attitude toward Jesus.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

Rom 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 

Rom 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

Grace means we aren't judged by statutes, but our gracious response to his goodness. We will still be judged by our deeds as they apply to responding to Jesus.

Another difference between Grace and Law is the deliverer. Prophets tended to provide grace whereas Moses delivered law.

By delivering commands through messengers God wasn't relying upon law, he was giving Grace.