“The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:4).
“By Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39).
The two principles are distinct and in sharp contrast to each other, and cannot possibly be mixed, nor one added to the other.
The law makes all depend upon what I am for God. Grace makes all depend upon what God is for me.
The law demands; grace bestows.
The law condemns; grace justifies.
The law curses; grace blesses.
The law keeps one in bondage; grace sets the believer free.
“We are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:15).
The law says: “Thou shalt do.” Grace says: “It is done.”
The law requires righteousness from man. Grace places God’s righteousness upon man.
As God had made coats of skin to clothe Adam and Eve, so the atoning death of the Lamb of God covers the believer. It is “the best robe” (Luke 15:22), “the righteousness of God ... upon all them that believe.” Rom. 3:22.
Our sinless substitute was made sin “for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). “Accepted in the Beloved.” Eph. 1:6. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). “In Christ Jesus ... a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17).