(a) How did Paul differentiate between law and grace? (b) What is the significance of these two concepts in the life of a christian

Answer Details

(a) How Paul differentiated between law and grace (Romans 3-8; Galatians 2-3; Ephesians 2)

• The Law demands works; grace is a free gift. The Law commands, Do this and live, requiring perfect obedience, whereas grace is God's unmerited favour freely given in Christ, not earned by works, so that no one may boast.
• The Law exposes sin; grace forgives it. Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin, for the Law reveals wrongdoing but cannot remove it; grace justifies the sinner freely through faith in Christ's atoning death.
• The Law brings condemnation and death; grace brings righteousness and life. Since no one is justified by the works of the Law, all under it stand condemned, but by grace the believer receives eternal life as a gift of God.
• The Law was a temporary custodian; grace is the fulfilment in Christ. Paul says the Law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, but now that faith has come we are no longer under that custodian.
• Justification is by faith, not by law. A person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law, for Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

(b) Significance of these two concepts in the life of a Christian

1. The Law makes the Christian aware of sin and his need of a Saviour, humbling him before God.
2. Grace assures the believer of free forgiveness and acceptance, giving peace and confidence before God.
3. Salvation by grace removes pride and self-righteousness, since it is God's gift and not human achievement.
4. Living under grace does not mean lawlessness; the believer, freed from condemnation, now serves God out of love and gratitude and fulfils the Law's true intent through the Spirit.
5. It gives the Christian security, knowing that his standing rests on Christ's finished work and not on his own imperfect obedience.