The Holy Spirit leads us today, and this means we “are not under the Law” (v18). When we “walk in the Spirit,” allowing the Spirit to work in us and guide us, we will not sin, we will not “fulfil the lust of the flesh.” This is living by the inner “law of (regulation by) the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 9:2a).

For nearly 1,600 years, from Moses to Paul, Israel labored to keep the Mosaic Law. Unlike their heathen (Gentile) neighbors, the Jews had “the Law of God,” and other advantages (Rom. 9:4,5; cf. Eph. 2:11-12). Despite their elevated and privileged position, they were just as sinful as the Gentiles (non-Jews). Hence, the Gentiles observed that “God’s” people Israel acted just as shamefully as they did (Rom. 2:17-29), thus Paul says concerning Jews and Gentiles; “there is none righteous no not one” (Rom 3:10)

Israel broke the “Old Covenant,” which was the Mosaic Law, thus necessitating the institution of the yet future “New Covenant” for Israel (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:7-13), one to come with Christ’s Messianic Kingdom. Israel, being sinful as the sons of Adam, could not keep the Law; should we expect that we Gentiles, also as sinful sons of Adam, would fare any better under the Law or man’s religious laws?

In Acts 15:1-5 we see that the believing Messianic Law-keeping Jews demanded that Paul’s Gentile grace believers who were saved under Paul’s pure “gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24) keep the Law of circumcision in order to be saved. Then the Apostle Peter spoke up in support of Paul’s grace believers saying; “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Act 15:10).

Paul reaffirmed that Mosaic Law-keeping is a “a yoke of bondage:” Law-keeping is impossible for us sinful creatures even after salvation. Religion’s performance-based acceptance system makes void (cancels) God’s grace-based acceptance system, which is in operation today during “the dispensation of the Grace of God” (Eph 3:2). When the legalists Law-keeping Jews tried to subvert Paul’s grace believer’s faith in the grace gospel by telling them to keep the Mosaic Law for salvation, Paul warned the Galatians.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty (FREEDOM) wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (to the law).
² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, (then) Christ shall profit you nothing. ³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ⁴ Christ is become of no effect (no benefit) unto you, whosoever of you are (who strive to be) justified (righteous) by (trying to keep) the law; (if you being under the law) ye are fallen from grace.” (Gal. 5:1-4)

If we try to make ourselves acceptable to God by doing good works, then we ignore Christ’s perfect, finished cross-work on Calvary. The cross is the only way we can be counted righteous and be made acceptable to God, for only Jesus Christ will ever please God (cf. Matt. 3:17). By struggling to live the Christian life by Law-keeping, we render useless Calvary’s impact on our lives, never allowing Jesus Christ to live His life in us and through us because we in and of ourselves are busy trying to live it.

Unlike Judaism and contrary to common belief, Christianity is not a system of rules and regulations. The Christian life is not us trying to measure up in order to please God, that’s impossible. God’s Law proves that mankind can never keep His Law perfectly… so He introduced through the Paul’s ministry the wonderful grace system we now enjoy today; His grace-based acceptance system. Now God the Father, not us, make us acceptable in His sight… accepted in union with His Son, Jesus Christ!

Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phili. 2:7-8).

Jesus was obedient; “…the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29bc; Isa. 50:5-6). The Father affirmed: “This is my beloved Son: in whom I am well pleased” (Mat. 3:17).