By the grace of God I am what I am – I Corinthians 15:10

What happens when we are set free from the law by grace? One of the most common testimonies I hear is, “For the first time in my life, I am free to just be myself! I’m free to be me.”

The ultimate consequence of living under law is outright rebellion – when you give up because of the hopelessness of ever making it.

Time and time again, I have seen these people who have been branded as “rebels against God” or “backslidden Christians” come out of their chairs in excitement and joy as they learn for the first time about the incredible grace, love and acceptance of God in Jesus Christ.

In all my years as a Christian, I have never heard anyone say, “I’ve had it! I am sick to death of the love and grace of God. I’m sick of other Christians loving and accepting me. I’m giving up this Christian life.” No, I’ve never heard that.

But I couldn’t count the number of Christians I’ve known who have given up because of being under law, who have been broken by the crushing burden of trying to be good enough to earn God’s acceptance, who have been mangled by the competition, the judging, and the demands to conform to some group’s standards. “We’ll accept you if you look like, walk like, talk like, and act like us.” And the implication is always, “And God will, too.” So what are we to do?

Christ came to free us from the burden of the law by calling us to a life united with His. We are beloved, accepted children of God, who have been called to His “banquet table” to experience Jesus Christ living in and through us every day. Abundant life is not “pie in the sky”. It is real, and it is ours for the taking if we will only believe. Let’s not settle for anything less.

Bob George
Classic Christianity (1989)