Romans 6:15
[15] What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! (ESV)
When Jesus stepped into time and gave his life for mankind's sin everything changed. For centuries the way to be made right with God was only found in an effort to keep the Law given by Moses. What people did not fully understand is that it was impossible to keep the Law. Christ came to set us free from the curse of the Law and make a way to righteousness by fulfilling the Law in His body.
It is hard to teach old dogs new tricks. The Jewish people had the Law. Even though they could not keep the Law their pursuit of trying to keep the Law was their identity. Now, Jesus Christ comes and says that the Law is ineffective and that salvation is by faith in him alone. Many Jews rejected their own salvation because they could not leave their life of pursuing the Law.
This is important background as we look at today's verse. Those who loved the Law were challenging Paul's doctrine of salvation by God's grace. They would claim that if you are living under the grace of God it will lead to a reckless life of wanton sin. Paul raises the issue again by saying, "Should we sin because we are under grace, not under Law? No way!
The one who would respond to God's grace by licentiousness gives evidence that he has not truly received the grace of God. Those who have been saved by grace are not the same person that they were under the Law. They have become a new creation. They are now led and empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives within them. Does grace lead to unchecked sin? No way.
Are you struggling to live by God's grace because you are afraid you will be a reckless sinner? Surrender to the power of God's Spirit. Allow him to lead you. He will guide you into all truth, not into sin.
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