Under Grace by R. F. Cottrell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 13, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 18.

Under Grace.

By R. F. Cottrell

SOME object to the view that being under the law (Rom. 6:14, 15) means "under the condemnation of the law." They think that to claim this is adding something to the text. We believe that the reasoning powers which God has given us were intended to be used in reading and understanding his word; and that to use them adds nothing to, and takes nothing from that word.

What is meant by the grace of God? It is simply his favor. How is this favor obtained? Through the propitiatory sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Show us a man that has not sinned, and he is one that has no need of this favor which comes only through Jesus Christ; but he is one who keeps, and ever has kept, every precept of the law; otherwise he would be a sinner, a transgressor of the law.

But when the sinner (as are all the human race) finds favor through Jesus Christ, he certainly passes out of a state of condemnation into a state of favor. He is not now under the condemnation of the law, because he has found pardon and favor through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is now "delivered from the law, that being dead" which held him under its threatened penalty. And what was that? It was sin. The law has no demand against him who is not guilty of its violation, but keeps its every precept. Such a one is free. Said David, "I will walk at liberty." Why? Not because he was at liberty to transgress the precepts of the law, but, said he, "for I seek thy precepts." Ps. 119:45.

Let us read the text which is offered as proof that the law of which it speaks has been abolished, being superseded by the favor or grace of God. "For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!" Rom. 6:14, 15.

This is quoted to prove that one precept, at least, of the law spoken of may be transgressed with impunity. And but for that one precept, which is generally transgressed, the text never would have been quoted for such a purpose. But if it proves one precept of the law abolished, it proves the same of every one of them; for there is no distinction. Now if the law has been superseded, as they claim, no human being is bound to keep one of its precepts; because it has ceased to be law. In that case it can be truly said to all men, "Ye are not under the law." But all to whom the apostle spoke were under grace. As truly as they were not under the law, so truly they were under grace. Are all men now under grace? Do all enjoy the favor of God? If so, all are in a very happy condition. None are accounted sinners in the sight of God; for sin is ever condemned by him; the sinner cannot enjoy his favor.

Are there now no servants of sin? Said the apostle to those who, he said, were under grace, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Verse 16. "Sin is the transgression of the law"—this and only this; for this is a perfect definition. Sin is not the transgression of grace. Read the text with this inspired and therefore perfect definition in the place of the word defined.

There can be no valid objection to this. Thus we read: "For the transgression of the law shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we transgress the law, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!"

Our friends do not hold with Paul; for they claim the liberty to transgress the law, because they are not under the law, but under grace. But let us read again from the apostle: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in the transgression of the law that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to the transgression of the law, live any longer therein?" See verses 1 and 2.

Now I submit it to the candid reader: Does Paul teach those of whom he says, "Ye are not under the law," that they may transgress that law? Does he not, on the contrary, teach obedience to it, that they may live no longer in sin? Every candid mind, unwarped by prejudice from the prevailing custom of transgressing one of the precepts of the moral law as given by God himself at Sinai, must admit that the apostle, in these very scriptures, teaches obedience to that law which is the subject of his discourse. Then what does he mean by being delivered from the law, and not being under it, but under grace? Simply that by the favor of God through the sacrifice of his Son they had been pardoned of their past transgressions, and hence the law had no demand against them in reference to its penalty, so long as they were dead to sin, living no longer in it.

Justified by the law? No, indeed. The law has no power, nor ever had, to justify its transgressor. The sinner can only be justified through faith in Jesus Christ. But being set free from sin, by the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ, he obtains a righteous character, that is, the character of a doer of the law; and in the day that God shall judge the secrets of men, according to the gospel, "The doers of the law shall be justified." See Rom. 2:12-16.