The Purpose of the Law
Paul writes in Galatians 3:24: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." The Law was never designed to save us; it was designed to show us our need for a Savior.
The Law reveals God's perfect standard. When we measure ourselves against that standard, we discover that all have fallen short (Romans 3:23). That is precisely the function of the Law: to lead us to Christ.
Grace as an Undeserved Gift
Ephesians 2:8-9 is one of the clearest texts in all of Scripture: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast."
Did Jesus Abolish the Law?
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus clearly says: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Christ perfectly fulfilled everything the Law demanded, satisfying its requirements on our behalf.
Living Under Grace
Living under grace does not mean living without moral standards. Grace frees us from the power of sin, not from the duty to obey God. The Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), and we walk in obedience out of love, not fear.
