24 Alive to Christ' Law

If it is because you are not under Law but under grace that sin will have no dominion over you, then to be under Law is to be dominated by sin, and to be under grace is to be liberated not only from the dominion of sin but also from the regime of the Law. However, what the apostle Paul is trying to get across to us is just this: to be under grace is to live according to the Spirit; to be under Law is to live according to the flesh trying to physically keep the 613 commandments in the Mosaic Law, thinking this leads to salvation (Romans 8:5, 13).

With the Law of God Paul is not finding any fault, because it is God's Law. It forbids sin, and it promotes and commands righteousness. Men and women of God in Israel had found the Law to be a safeguard against sin. Great peace have those who love thy Law, said one psalmist; nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165); another could say, The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul (Psalm 19:7).