I am not looking for an excuse to go and break the law.
Far from it. I struggled with the guilt, shame and condemnation that it brings, trying to be a real Christian and forever asking for God to forgive me and to change me. I was attending church, praying, fasting, worshiping, studying the bible, attending men’s groups, participating with church leadership but I had a daily struggle with sin. I was trapped. There was no way out except to beg for forgiveness and try harder next time. Something was wrong.
Could it be that I had not been taught correctly? They were such lovely people and had my best interests at heart. The trouble was it did not work. I struggled for ten years. I loved the bible and diligently went to bible school and tried to learn as much as I could about God and how it all worked.
Finally I heard some teaching that could not be denied.
“What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.” (Ga 3:19 NKJV)
The scripture says that the law was until the Seed (Jesus) should come. The law kept guard over us until faith came. I studied the words over and over. And then it finally sunk in. After faith came there would be a change. There it was in scriptures.
“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Ga 3:23-25 NKJV)
But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Did I read it correctly? Does it really say that once I believe in Jesus I am no longer under the law? This was different, new and I was unsure. I checked different bible verses and went back to the original Greek. It was correct. After faith came, I was no longer under the law.
Now I had opened a can of worms. I was out on my own. The bible software did not lie. It clearly stated that I was not under the law when I believe in Jesus. And I believe in Jesus as the Son of God who has paid for my sin. But what does it really mean? What law is it talking about? Do I just go and break the law on purpose?
I quickly looked up the cross references and found this gem.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Ro 6:14 NKJV)
This was the answer I was after. I did not want sin to have dominion over me, but how does it work. I am not under law but under grace.
“”For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.” (Ga 2:19 NKJV)
I want to live to God but I don’t know how. All I know is that the scriptures were telling me that I need to die to the law. It is my way out of sin. It will be a journey but I can’t share it with anyone because it is different to what I am being taught in church. All I know is that this is the start of my freedom and it will take me months to relearn the scriptures based on what Jesus has done and not the law. I have to relearn everything and trust that God will teach me.
My journey has begun. I am not sure where it will lead but the bible has said sin will not have dominion over me so I am in. Now I need to find out what law I am not under, but that is for the next post.
The New Covenant 