Just to explain further what Paul meant by "not under law."
Paul says in
Romans 6:14, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." But then in
verse 15 he says,
"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!" Paul makes it clear that just because Christians are under grace does not mean they can go on to sin and break the law.
So if being under grace does not exempt us from keeping the law, what does Paul mean by saying that Christians are not under the law? He gives that answer in
Romans 3:19. “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Here Paul equates being under the law with
“being guilty before God.” In other words, those who are under the law are guilty of breaking it and are under the condemnation of it. This is why Christians are not under it. They are not breaking it—not guilty and condemned by it. Therefore, they are not under it, but are under the power of grace instead. Later in his argument, Paul points out that the power of grace is greater than the power of sin. This is why he states so emphatically in
Roman 6:14, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Grace overrules the authority of sin, grace gives power to obey God’s law. This is the reason why true Christians are not under the law’s guilt and condemnation and also why Paul states that they will not continue to sin.
Here is an example that I've posted before to explain what Paul meant about not being under law but under grace.
Suppose a murderer has been sentenced to death in the electric chair. Waiting for the execution the man would truly be under the law in every sense of the word—under the guilt, under the condemnation, under the sentence of death, etc. Just before the execution date the governor reviews the condemned man’s case and decides to pardon him. In the light of extenuating circumstances the governor exercises his prerogative and sends a full pardon to the prisoner. Now he is no longer under the law but under grace. The law no longer condemns him. He is considered totally justified as far as the charges of the law are concerned. He is free to walk out of the prison and no policeman can lay hands upon him. But now that he is under grace and no longer under the law, can we say that he is free to break the law? Indeed not! In fact, that pardoned man will be doubly obligated to obey the law because he has found grace from the governor. In gratitude and love he will be very careful to honour the law of that state which granted him grace. Is that what the Bible says about pardoned sinners?
“Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (
Romans 3:31). Here is the most explicit answer to the entire problem. Paul asks if the law is nullified for us just because we have had faith in Christ’s saving grace. His answer is that the law is established and reinforced in the life of a grace-saved Christian.
The truth of this is so simple and obvious that it should require no repetition. Have you ever been stopped by a policeman for exceeding the speed limit? It is an embarrassing experience, especially if you know you are guilty. But suppose you really were hurrying to meet a valid emergency, and you pour out your convincing explanation to the police-man as he writes your ticket. Slowly he folds the ticket and tears it up. Then he says,
“All right, I’m going to pardon you this time, but …” Now what do you think he means by that word
“but”? Surely he means,
“but I don’t want to ever catch you speeding again.” Does this pardon (grace) open the way for you to disobey the law? On the contrary, it adds compelling urgency to your decision not to disobey the law again.
Link.
