Under grace the believer is no longer under the Law's dominion but is set free to live by the indwelling Spirit, with God's love and forgiveness rather than the Law's punishment.
Les Feldick draws the contrast as strongly as 'pitch midnight and high noon sunlight' — the Law demanded strict obedience with death as the penalty, while grace is unmerited favor based entirely on what Christ has done. Because believers are 'not under the law, but under grace,' sin does not have dominion over them. This freedom does not make grace a license to sin; instead, the Holy Spirit leads and guides the believer.
Romans 6:14 — This is the key verse Les quotes to show the believer is not under the Law but under grace, and sin no longer has dominion.
Romans 8:4 — Les references this verse to show that the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in believers through their position in Christ.
In Romans 6:14 Paul declares, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." The believer is described as being under grace rather than under the Law, and as a result, sin does not have dominion. Galatians 5:1 exhorts believers to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." In Colossians 2:13, Paul states that believers, being dead in sins and the uncircumcision of their flesh, are quickened together with Christ and have all trespasses forgiven. The foundation of this is expressed in 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." The Bible also links the fulfillment of the Law's righteousness to those in Christ. Romans 8:4 says, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Les Feldick contrasts Law and grace as strongly as 'pitch midnight and high noon sunlight' (Clip 2). Under the Law, he explains, the command was strict and the penalty severe — picking up sticks on the Sabbath was punishable by death. But the believer is not under the Law; he is under grace. Grace is unmerited favor: nothing a person does counts with God; everything is based on what Christ has done on the believer's behalf (Clip 1). This does not lead to lawlessness, however. Les emphasizes that 'grace is never licensed' (Clip 4). Believers have been set free from the stringent demands of 'thou shalt' and 'thou shalt not' and are now led and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Clip 4). The whole book of Galatians, he notes, was written to prove that under grace the Law has no power over us (Clip 5). Even though the Law was perfect, holy, and righteous, the righteousness of the Law is now fulfilled in us because of our position in Christ (Clip 6). Believers are not under the Law as Christ ministered to Israel, but under grace, having been forgiven all trespasses (Clip 7).
Les Feldick says the difference is like midnight vs. noonday. Law is characterized by commands with a deadly penalty, such as stoning for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. Grace is unmerited favor, based entirely on what Christ has done. Romans 6:14 states that sin shall not have dominion over believers because they are not under the law but under grace.
No. Les emphatically says 'God forbid' to the idea of sinning because we are under grace. 'Grace is never licensed.' Believers have liberty but are not to use it as an excuse for sin. Instead, they are led by the Holy Spirit. The whole book of Galatians was written to show that under grace the Law has no power over us, but this does not mean freedom to sin.
Once a person believes the gospel, the Holy Spirit comes in, becomes God's brand upon the believer, and is the very power of God within. Under grace, the believer is not under the stringent demands of 'thou shalt' and 'thou shalt not,' but is led and guided by that dwelling Holy Spirit.
The Revelation of the Grace Gospel
Les explains that Paul's gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection was a direct revelation from the ascended Lord — the good news that becomes the power of God to believers.
Not Under Law, But Under Grace
Les explains that the difference between law and grace is like daylight and dark; grace is unmerited favor, and sin (the old nature) does not have dominion because the believer is not under the law.
Two Totally Different Concepts
Les contrasts law and grace as pitch midnight compared to high noon sunlight, and points to Romans 6:14 to show that the dominion of sin is broken because we are under grace.
Law Demands, Grace Deals in Love
Les contrasts the Law's penalty (stoning for picking up sticks on the Sabbath) with grace, under which God deals with believers in love through discipline.
Grace Is Never License
Les says that although believers are not under the law, grace is never a license to sin; the Holy Spirit becomes God's power within us, leading and guiding our lives.
Under Grace, the Law Has No Power
Les says the book of Galatians proves that under grace the Law has no power over us, yet grace does not give license — it places believers in a different set of circumstances.
The Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us
Les shows that although the Law was perfect, holy, and righteous, believers are not to go back under it; the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in those who are in Christ.
Forgiven All Trespasses
Les stresses that believers are not under the Law as Christ ministered to Israel; under grace, God has forgiven all trespasses and made believers alive with Christ.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This is the foundational verse Les quotes to show that believers are under grace and therefore sin does not have dominion over them.
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Mentioned by Les in the context of the liberty believers have in Christ, warning them not to return to the bondage of the Law.
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.
Quoted by Les to show that believers have been forgiven and made alive with Christ, which is the result of being under grace.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This verse, quoted by Les, reveals that the cross is the basis of grace, though it is foolishness to those who are perishing.
Romans 8:4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Les references this verse to show that the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in believers through their position in Christ, not by keeping the Law.
No. Les Feldick is emphatic: 'God forbid' is the response to that idea. He explains that grace is never licensed — believers have been set free from the Law, but they are not free to sin. Instead, the Holy Spirit now leads and guides the believer's life.
Les gives the example of picking up sticks on the Sabbath, which under the Law carried the death penalty. Under grace, believers who fail are not stoned or cast out; God deals with us in love and, when necessary, disciplines us to bring us back.
Les teaches that the Law itself was perfect, holy, and righteous. But believers are not to go back under it; instead, because of their position in Christ, the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in them — not by keeping commands, but by being in Christ.
Watch the Teaching: The 3 Parts of the Law & Why They Don't Save You