It means that for the believer, the old sin nature no longer has dominion because they are not under the demands of the Mosaic Law but under God's grace.
According to Les Feldick, this phrase from Romans 6:14 indicates that believers are free from the stringent demands of the Law and are now under a completely different system: grace. This does not give license to sin; rather, it means that the old Adamic nature is not to rule over the believer. Grace is God's unmerited favor, and it empowers the believer to live led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:14 — This verse directly states the phrase 'not under the law, but under grace' and is the foundation for the teaching.
Romans 6:14 states, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This indicates that being under grace changes the relationship to sin: it is not to have dominion over the believer. The verse contrasts being under the law with being under grace, implying a fundamental shift in how a believer relates to sin and to God. In Romans 6:15, Paul anticipates the objection: "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." This shows that grace is not a license to sin. The passage as a whole teaches that believers are freed from sin's dominion through grace, not through law-keeping.
Les Feldick emphasizes that this phrase from Romans 6:14 is a clear statement that believers are no longer under the demands of the Mosaic Law. He describes the difference between Law and Grace as being as distinct as "pitch midnight and high noon sunlight" (Clip 6). He teaches that grace is unmerited favor, and it means that the believer is saved by faith plus nothing, not by works or religious effort (Clip 4). He stresses that being under grace does not mean we become lawless; rather, grace is never license, and believers are now led by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Clips 1, 5). He also connects this to the allegory of Hagar and Sarah, where the bondwoman (law) is cast out, showing that law and grace are not to be mixed (Clip 0).
According to Les, there is as much difference between Law and Grace as between midnight and high noon sunlight (Clip 6). The Law is a system of 'thou shalt' and 'thou shalt not' that demands human effort, while Grace is God's unmerited favor, based on what Christ has done. Legalism is trying to do things in one's own effort, whereas Grace relies on the completed work of the cross (Clip 1, 3).
No. Les repeatedly states that 'grace is never license' (Clips 1, 5). Paul's question in Romans 6:15 'Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?' is answered with 'God forbid' (Clip 3). The believer is freed from sin's dominion, not given permission to sin.
In Clip 0, Les explains that the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son Ishmael represent the Law given at Sinai, while the free woman (Sarah) and her son Isaac represent grace. The instruction to 'cast out the bondwoman and her son' means that law and grace cannot coexist. Believers are children of the free woman, not the bondwoman.
Allegory of Law vs. Grace
Les explains that the bondwoman and her son (law) must be cast out, showing that law and grace cannot be mixed; believers are children of the free woman.
Grace and the Holy Spirit
Les stresses that being under grace does not mean lawlessness; the believer is led by the Holy Spirit, and grace is never license.
What 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Really Says About Who Goes to Heaven
What he's really saying is that he is no longer under that demanding burden of the law, and he's now under grace. Now let's go back and compare some Scriptures that maybe we've looked at previously. Let's go back for just a second to Romans chapter 6, and verse 14. Here's where we get it the clearest, and this is where we spent a lot of time when we were back in Romans. Romans 6. Romans 6.
The Disciples' Prayer Explained: Matthew 6 Verse by Verse
Shall we sin, or in other words, exercise our liberty? Shall we sin because we are not under the Law, but under Grace? And God forbid. But do you see the differences there? You're not under Law, you're under Grace. And the whole book of Galatians is written to prove that very fact, that under Grace the Law has no power over us.
Definition of Grace
Les defines grace as God's unmerited favor that saves the believer on the basis of faith alone, contrasting with the law's demands.
Not Under Ritual of Law
Les repeats Romans 6:14 and clarifies that believers are not under the rituals and stipulations of the Law of Israel or the demands of Judaism, and again emphasizes grace is not license.
Difference Between Law and Grace
Les uses the vivid contrast of pitch midnight vs. high noon sunlight to show that law and grace are totally different concepts.
The Disciples' Prayer Explained: Matthew 6 Verse by Verse
And over the next several weeks this is what we're going to be hammering away, that we're not under the Law as Christ ministered to Israel. We're under Grace, and it's all the difference in the world. Colossians chapter 2, verse 13, where Paul writes to the Believer. Now remember Paul always writes to the Believer, he never writes to the unsaved world. He always writes to the Believer.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This is the key verse directly stating the phrase and explaining that sin no longer has dominion over believers.
Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
This verse addresses the potential misapplication that grace permits sin, clearly rejecting it.
Colossians 2:13: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Les references this verse to show that believers have been forgiven and made alive in Christ, which is the basis of grace.
No. Les Feldick teaches that grace is not license. While believers are not under the law, they are not to use their freedom as an opportunity to sin. Instead, they are led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:14 is the foundational verse: "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This shows that grace frees us from sin's dominion.
According to Les, Christians are not under the Law as a system, but that does not mean they are lawless. They are under grace and are guided by the Holy Spirit.
Watch the Teaching: Abraham, Sarah, and the Allegory of Law vs. Grace | Genesis 20-21