Sometimes it feels like we misunderstand the law in the Bible, like it’s this rigid checklist designed to trap us under condemnation. But when we look through the lens of grace and rightly divide the Word of Truth, the law is far from a mere set of do’s and don’ts. It’s actually the schoolmaster, the tutor, the stern but loving guide leading us to Christ. That might sound strange to some—how can the law, which condemns, be so gracious? Let’s get into that.
The Law’s Job: Not to Save, But to Show
Paul makes this super clear in Galatians 3:24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Think about it—the law wasn’t meant to be a salvation manual. It was a mirror reflecting our sins, a light shining on the darker corners of the human heart. It exposes our inability to measure up; it highlights our failures. But that’s not destruction—it’s direction.
Have you ever seen a parent tell a child, “This is what you must not do”? They’re not just being restrictive; they’re trying to lead the child toward safety and maturity. The law works the same way. It points out where we fall short so we can understand the necessity of a Savior.
Why We Need a Schoolmaster in the First Place
If I were to ask you, could you in your own strength keep God’s law perfectly? The honest answer is no, right? That’s the point. The law reveals our spiritual bankruptcy. It’s a deep-life reality check that wipes away pride and self-righteousness. This is why the law is such a priceless gift—it unmasks our sin so Christ can fully take center stage.
Let’s be honest: If we thought we could earn salvation by ticking boxes, we’d fool ourselves into thinking we’re better than we actually are. But the law says, “Nope, you can’t pull this off on your own.” Which brings me to the good news—the law doesn’t leave us in despair. It’s designed to drive us to a place of helplessness where grace becomes absolutely necessary.
Grace Isn’t Law-Free, But Law-Fulfilled
Here’s something counterintuitive and crucial: grace isn’t the absence of the law. It’s the fulfillment of it in Christ. Jesus didn’t come to obliterate God’s commandments. Far from it. He came to fulfill them — perfectly, completely, and on our behalf. That’s why the law still has a role after salvation, but now it serves as a testimony rather than a burden.
When Paul writes about the law, his primary concern isn’t dismissing it but putting it in the right place in God’s grand narrative. The law leads us to realize that our righteousness must come by faith, not fleshly effort. When we truly understand that, the law becomes a friend, not a foe.
The Subtle Danger of Trying to Mix Law and Grace
Mixing the law with grace is like trying to blend oil and water. Sure, they can be put in the same container, but they don’t mix well at all. Some try to add the law back into salvation and wound up turning grace into a paycheck for good behavior. That grit grinds down freedom and stifles the Spirit.
A grace believer rightly divides these truths by acknowledging the law’s role before salvation and its purpose after salvation—as a means of guidance, not justification. After all, if justification came through the law, then Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21). Pretty heavy statement.
What Does the Law Teach Us About Ourselves?
The law shines a brutal spotlight on human nature. It tells us we’re fallen, sinful, desperate creatures who aren’t fit to stand before a holy God. It’s like holding a ruler up and measuring yourself—you realize you’re way short of the mark. This isn’t to beat us up but to lead us out of self-delusion.
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “God, I can handle this on my own,” only to stumble? These moments make the law’s message painfully vivid: we can’t manage salvation ourselves. The law teaches us humility and points us toward the only One who can save, Jesus Christ.
Being Led to Christ: The Law’s Ultimate Aim
To insist the law is an ongoing demand to be kept for salvation is to miss the essence of what Paul means by “schoolmaster.” Once the child learns the lesson, the schoolmaster’s job is done. For the believer, Christ is that lesson fulfilled. The law brings us face-to-face with our need for Him.
Therefore, the law is like a signpost on a road trip — without it, you might never know where to turn. It guides, it instructs, it reveals the way. When we understand this dynamic, it’s easier to embrace our freedom in Christ without rejecting the law’s value.
Is the Law Obsolete? Not at All.
Sometimes Christians get confused here. They say, “The law is done away with… we’re under grace now.” Yes and no. The law, as a covenant of works, cannot save us. But its moral principles reveal God’s holy character and continue to instruct believers in righteous living—not as a means of salvation but as an expression of gratitude and obedience.
After salvation, the law becomes a guide, not a master. It’s a reflection of God’s will, inspiring us to live according to the Spirit. Without the law’s moral compass, how would we know what holiness looks like? Grace empowers us to live by the Spirit, but the law images what that new life in Christ should resemble.
Walking in Freedom with the Law in View
So, here’s the golden nugget: the law’s role isn’t to bomb us with guilt but to deliver us into grace. The schoolmaster points us to the One who paid it all. But after that, the law helps us navigate our walk with God. It reminds us what pleases Him and what grieves Him, but no longer in a condemning fashion.
When you read Scripture and feel overwhelmed by the law, remember it’s a tutor, not a jailer. The gospel frees us from the law’s condemnation, but not from the law’s moral framework, which reveals God’s heart and character.
If you want to meditate on some impactful verses about the law, grace, and righteousness, check out an excellent resource here: daily inspiration from Scripture — it’s a treasure trove for those wrestling with these deep truths.
The law calls us out to show us who we are, and Christ calls us in to show us who we can become. That’s the beauty of rightly dividing the Word: you get to see the law not as your enemy but as a faithful mentor that directs souls to the saving grace found in Christ alone.
Keep that in mind the next time the law feels heavy. It’s just the schoolmaster pointing you toward your Teacher.