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Law vs Grace: The Work of the Holy Spirit

Part 6: The Work of the Holy Spirit One of the greatest differences between living under law and living under grace is the role of the Holy Spirit . Under law, people tried to obey God in their own strength. Under grace, the Holy Spirit empowers us from within. 1. Before Christ, the Holy Spirit Came Upon People In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not live inside believers. He came upon individuals temporarily to empower them for specific tasks—prophets, judges, kings, and leaders. But Jesus promised something greater: “He dwells with you and will be in you.” — John 14:17 This was a radical shift. A new covenant. A new way of living. 2. After Christ, the Holy Spirit Lives Within Us Because Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, the Holy Spirit now takes up residence inside every believer. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 This means: We are not alone. We are not powerless. ...
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Law vs Grace: Law vs Self-Made Laws

Part 5: Law vs. Self‑Made Laws When most believers think about “law,” they think only of the commandments given through Moses. But many Christians live under a second kind of law—one far more subtle and often more damaging: the laws we create for ourselves. These self‑made laws are the rules, habits, coping mechanisms, and personal systems we rely on to feel righteous, safe, or spiritually stable. They are not written in Scripture, yet we treat them as if they are holy commandments. 1. Self‑Made Laws Are Still Law Anything we rely on for righteousness—other than Christ—is law. “I don’t go here.” “I don’t watch that.” “I don’t drink this.” “I always do this when I’m stressed.” “I follow this routine to stay holy.” These things may not be wrong in themselves. Many are harmless. Some are even helpful. But when we rely on them for peace, strength, or spiritual stability, they become law —and law always leads to condemnation when we fail. 2. Self‑Made Laws Can...
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Law vs Grace: The Purpose of Grace

Law vs Grace Part 4 If the law reveals our sin, then grace reveals God’s heart. Grace is God’s answer to our inability. It is His provision for our weakness, His covering for our failures, and His power working in us through the Holy Spirit. Grace is not a backup plan. Grace is the plan. 1. Grace Removes Condemnation The law condemns because it exposes sin. But grace removes condemnation because Christ paid for sin. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 Condemnation belongs to the law. Freedom belongs to grace. When our faith is placed in Christ and His finished work—His death, burial, and resurrection—grace flows into our lives. We are no longer judged by our failures but covered by His righteousness. 2. Grace Empowers Us to Live Holy Grace is not permission to sin. Grace is the power to overcome sin. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” — Romans 6:14 Under law, w...
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Law vs Grace: Why the Law was Given

Law vs Grace: Part 3 To understand grace, we must first understand why God gave the law. The law was never meant to be a ladder we climb to reach salvation. It was meant to be a mirror that reveals our need for salvation. 1. The Law Defines Sin Before the law, humanity had no written standard. People knew certain actions were wrong, but there was no divine, written definition of sin. God gave the law to make sin unmistakably clear. “I would not have known what sin was except through the law.” — Romans 7:7 The law exposes the sin within us. It shows us where we fall short. It reveals our flaws, our failures, and our inability to meet God’s perfect standard. 2. The Law Reveals Our Need for Mercy Once the law shows us our sin, it produces conviction. It brings sorrow. It makes us aware that we cannot save ourselves. This is intentional. “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” — Galatians 3:24 The law teaches us that we need a Savior. It drives us to re...
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Law vs Grace: What is Law?

Law vs Grace: Part 2 When we talk about the law in Scripture, most people immediately think of the Ten Commandments or the laws given through Moses on Mount Sinai. These laws include moral commands, civil regulations for Israel, and ceremonial practices such as sacrifices, festivals, and rituals (Exodus 20; Leviticus; Deuteronomy). But before God gave Moses the law, humanity had no written standard. People knew certain things were wrong—like murder—but there was no formal, God-given definition of sin. The law changed that. The Law Defines Sin Paul explains that the law was given so we could see sin clearly: “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” — Romans 3:20 The law acts like a mirror. It shows us what is wrong in us. It reveals our failures, our shortcomings, and our inability to meet God’s perfect standard. The law itself is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), but it exposes the sin within us. The Law Condemns, But It Cannot Save The law was never meant to prov...
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Law vs Grace: Introduction

I'm doing a nine (9) part mini-series on Law vs Grace. Many believers struggle to understand the difference between law and grace . We know both concepts are in Scripture, and we know both come from God, yet we often confuse their purpose. When I speak of “law,” I’m referring to biblical law —the commandments, statutes, and regulations given through Moses. But I’m also referring to the laws we create for ourselves: the rules, habits, and personal systems we rely on to feel righteous, safe, or spiritually stable. The truth is simple but often misunderstood: The law was never given as a means of salvation. It was given to define sin and reveal our need for God’s mercy (Romans 3:20). Grace, on the other hand, is God’s answer to our inability to keep the law. Grace is His unearned favor, His covering, His mercy, and His power working in us through the Holy Spirit. Grace is not permission to sin—it is the divine strength that helps us walk in obedience without condemnation (Roma...
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Christ the Head and His Body, The Church

I am studying the Book of Galatians, and while reading in my Jimmy Swaggart Commentary, he begins discussing how God sees us. This brought to mind a previous blog post entitled “Our Position in the Cross of Christ.” Knowing and understanding your position In Christ Jesus (Romans 6:3–4) is so very important, and remaining in this position is imperative. Please excuse the repetition, but I am doing it for a specific purpose. Jesus is the Head of the Church, and the Church is the “body” of Christ — a Head and a body. When God looked down upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, He saw Jesus, The Head, with a spiritual body. Jesus’ spiritual body consisted of individual members — The Church! So we, who are In Christ Jesus , hung on the Cross with Him. When The Head, Jesus, was taken down, His spiritual body — The Church — was taken down. We died with Him. On that third and glorious day, The Head, Jesus, with His spiritual body consisting of individual members — The Church — arose...
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