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HELEN SANDERS
3-9-2026
THE LAW VERSUS GRACE
There are factions in the body of Christ that demand you do certain things to “be saved.” This is a very legalistic attitude, like the Pharisees had with Jesus.
Why was the law given to Moses. We read the answer in Galatians 3:19 where it says, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained [prepared] by angels [messengers] in the hand of a mediator.”
This scripture lets us know that the law was given to show us what sin was. Jesus became our mediator that frees us from sin and the law.
Galatians chapter 4 tells us that we have been adopted into the family of God [verse 5] to redeem or buy us back from the bondage of the law of sin and death. This does not give us the freedom to sin whenever we want. Our new nature received at salvation must control our old nature and choose not to sin. When we sin, we must repent or we become out of fellowship with God. There is still relationship, but no fellowship.
Grace is the undeserved favor that God bestows upon us because of what Jesus did for us. Remember, “…while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” [Romans 5:8] The law is made up of many works, but they do not rid us of sin. The Galatians were foolishly taught by Judaizers that they must be circumcised and do other religious works to be a Christian. They were being taught that salvation through Jesus’ shed blood was not enough. This is error. Nothing but the blood of Jesus saves a person.
In Galatians chapter 5 Paul warns the Galatian church and us in verse 1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Then verse 4 says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified [cleared of the guilt of sin] by the law; ye are fallen [given up] grace.” In other words, you must choose the law or grace. You can’t have both.
The law shows us what sin is, and that it brings death. Grace shows us how to receive life through Jesus Christ. In essence you must choose which to follow; the law that brings death, or grace that brings life. I choose life.
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