Law and grace cannot mix because they are two totally contrary principles—grace rests on God's unmerited favor, while legalism rests on human effort in the energy of the flesh.
Scripture says if it is by grace it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace (Rom. 11:6), and believers are "not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14). Les Feldick stresses this same point: you cannot mix the two, and the bondwoman and her son must be cast out because law and grace cannot live under the same roof.
Romans 6:14 — States plainly that believers are not under law but under grace, so sin does not have dominion over them.
Romans 11:6 — Shows that grace and works are mutually exclusive—if grace is by works, it is no more grace.
Galatians 4:30 — The command to cast out the bondwoman and her son pictures the necessary separation of law from grace.
Romans 6:14 declares, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." The next verse anticipates the objection that grace gives permission to sin: "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Romans 11:6 states the either/or principle: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." In Galatians 4, the Scripture quotes the words about Hagar and Sarah: "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." Then it applies it directly: "So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." Taken together, Scripture distinguishes believers as under grace, not law, and presents the two as standing on opposite foundations.
Les Feldick teaches that law and grace are absolutely incompatible. He says the difference between them is like "pitch midnight and high noon sunlight" (Clip 4). Grace must stand totally by itself because if works are added, grace is no longer grace (Clip 1). He points to Romans 6:14 to show that believers are "not under law but under grace," and explains that the whole book of Galatians was written to prove that the law has no power over believers under grace (Clips 4, 6). Les also stresses the allegory of Sarah and Hagar: "You have to cast out the bondwoman and her son. Law and grace won't mix. Law and grace can't mix" (Clips 0, 2). For Paul, this was a battle he would not give up—he refused to command Gentile converts to embrace any kind of legalism (Clip 2). At the same time, Les is careful to say that grace is not a license to sin; grace changes our appetites and motives (Clips 5, 6). He defines legalism simply as "anything we can do in the energy of the flesh" (Clip 0).
Romans 6:14 declares that sin, or the old Adamic nature, shall not have dominion over believers because they are not under law but under grace (Clip 4). Les explains that these are two totally different concepts, and the book of Galatians was written to prove that under grace the law has no power over us (Clips 4, 6). This does not mean grace gives license to sin—Paul answers the question with "God forbid" in Romans 6:15 (Clip 6).
In Galatians 4:30 the Scripture says, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." Les says this means law and grace won't mix and can't mix; you have to cast out the bondwoman and her son (Clip 2). For Paul, this was a vital issue—he would not command his Gentile converts to embrace any kind of legalism (Clip 2).
No. Les says he has taught for more than twenty years that grace is not license; it does not give us freedom to do as we please. Grace changes our appetites and motives (Clip 5). Paul asks in Romans 6:15, "Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Les adds, "Liberty is not license" (Clip 2).
Les illustrates law and grace with a newly married couple. If a husband puts up a list of do's and don'ts, the wife responds with her own list—that is a marriage based on law, and what is lacking is love. But the same couple in love will naturally fulfill the very things that would have been written down (Clip 7). This shows that law demands outward compliance, whereas grace operates through a changed heart.
The Allegory of Sarah and Hagar
Les contrasts Mount Sinai and the giving of the Law with the message of grace given to Paul; he defines legalism as anything done in the energy of the flesh.
Grace Cannot Mix with Works
Les explains Paul's argument that if grace involves works, it is no longer grace—the two cannot be mixed.
Cast Out the Bondwoman
Les stresses that law and grace won't mix and can't mix; you have to cast out the bondwoman and her son, while clarifying that liberty is not license.
Two Contrary Principles
Les explains that God dealt with Israel under law but deals with us today under grace—two totally contrary principles—and Paul consistently cried against legalism.
Midnight vs High Noon
Les says law and grace are as different as pitch midnight and high noon sunlight, citing Romans 6:14 to show believers are under grace, not law.
Grace Is Not License
Les answers the charge that grace means license; grace changes appetites and motives rather than giving freedom to do as we please.
Under Grace the Law Has No Power
Les points to Romans 6:15 and the book of Galatians to show that believers are not under law; while the law has no power over them, grace is not license.
The Marriage Illustration
Les uses a newlywed couple to show that law-based rule-keeping lacks love, while love naturally fulfills the same requirements.
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 showing believers are under grace, not law.
Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
It answers the objection that grace gives a license to sin.
Romans 11:6: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
It shows that grace and works are mutually exclusive.
Galatians 4:30: Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
This command pictures the separation of law from grace.
Galatians 4:31: So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
It identifies believers as children of the free woman, not of the bondwoman.
Romans 3:7: For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Paul raises the same objection about grace being misused, which Les connects to the false idea that grace is license.
No. Scripture says if it is by grace it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace (Rom. 11:6). Les Feldick puts it plainly: "Law and grace won't mix. Law and grace can't mix," and the bondwoman must be cast out (Clip 2).
No. Both Paul and Les Feldick deny this. Romans 6:15 asks, "Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Les emphasizes that grace is not license and that it changes our appetites and motives (Clips 5, 6).
In Galatians 4, Hagar the bondwoman and her son Ishmael represent the law and those under it. Paul quotes Scripture saying to cast out the bondwoman and her son because the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. Les says this shows law and grace cannot live together (Clips 0, 2).
Watch the Teaching: Abraham, Sarah, and the Allegory of Law vs. Grace | Genesis 20-21