How does Romans 6:14 encourage living under grace rather than the law? The Heart of Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) – Sin once dominated, but its authority is now nullified. – The believer’s realm has shifted: no longer under the condemning power of law but under the liberating reign of grace. Grace Versus Law—Why the Distinction Matters • Law: exposes sin, sets a holy standard, but offers no power to meet that standard (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:10). • Grace: God’s undeserved favor that both forgives and empowers obedience through the indwelling Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-12). • Under law, failure breeds more guilt; under grace, forgiveness breeds gratitude and Spirit-enabled change. How Grace Empowers Holiness 1. New Master: grace installs Christ, not sin, on the throne of the heart (Romans 6:17-18). 2. New Motivation: love for the Savior replaces fear of punishment (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). 3. New Power Source: the Holy Spirit fulfills the righteous requirement of the law in us (Romans 8:2-4). 4. New Identity: we count ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11), acting from who we are, not who we were. Practical Ways to Live Under Grace – Start each day affirming your position: “I am under grace; sin is not my master.” – Saturate the mind with Scripture that highlights what Christ has done (Colossians 3:1-3). – Rely on the Spirit moment by moment: yield, ask, obey (Galatians 5:16). – Replace legalistic checklists with a relational focus—“What pleases my Father?” – When you fail, run to the cross, not to self-punishing efforts; receive cleansing and keep walking (1 John 1:9). Supporting Passages that Echo Romans 6:14 • John 1:17 — “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” • Galatians 3:24-25 — The law was a guardian “until Christ came… now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” • 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” • Hebrews 4:16 — Approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. • Titus 2:11-12 — Grace not only saves but “trains us to renounce ungodliness.” Bottom Line Romans 6:14 frees believers from striving to keep God’s standards in their own strength. Living under grace means trusting Christ’s finished work, depending on His ongoing power, and enjoying the freedom to obey from a heart transformed by love instead of driven by fear. |
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