Living Beyond the Law Through the Spirit
Inspired by insights from Day by Day by Grace
"But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners…But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
— 1 Timothy 1:8-9; Galatians 5:18
God’s law is holy, just, and good. Yet, its purpose was never to justify or sanctify us. The law exposes sin and reveals our need for a Savior, but it was never meant to be the ladder by which we climb into righteousness or godliness. Trying to gain acceptance or spiritual maturity through keeping the law is like trying to climb a mountain using a mirror. The mirror can show us where we’ve stumbled, but it was never designed to support our steps.
For those of us in Christ, we have been set free from the impossible burden of living under the law. Christ’s perfect fulfillment of the law has forever declared us righteous. We are now called to walk by the Spirit, not by self-effort or performance. Yet, when we lean on our own strength—when we try to “be better” in our own effort—we quietly step back under a system that was never designed for us.
The Spirit leads us into life and peace. The law only points out failure. When we walk in the Spirit, we are no longer caught in the exhausting cycle of striving and falling short. We live in the grace and freedom Christ secured for us.
A Parable of Two Gardens
Imagine two gardens side by side. One is a rigid garden ruled by strict rules: every plant must grow in perfect rows, every weed must be pulled, and any flaw must be corrected immediately. The gardener works endlessly, sweating over every imperfection, but the soil remains hard, and the plants struggle.
The second garden is different. This gardener trusts the rain, the sun, and the seasons. He tends the soil but doesn’t force the growth. He knows that the plants will flourish in their time because the conditions are right. This is the life led by the Spirit—a life where growth happens naturally, not by force but by grace.
Living in the Spirit, Not Under the Law
God never intended for us to live in the exhausting rigidity of self-effort. He invites us into the freedom of the Spirit, where growth, change, and obedience come naturally as we abide in Him. We don’t need to struggle to please God—He is already pleased with us in Christ. Our role is to walk with Him, trust Him, and let His Spirit produce His life in us.
A Prayer of Confidence in God’s Provision
Father,
Thank You for freeing me from the heavy burden of trying to earn Your love or grow through my own effort. You have given me everything I need for life and godliness through Christ. I rejoice in the freedom of Your Spirit and trust that You are working in me as I walk with You. I no longer need to strive under the weight of the law because I am alive to You, led by Your Spirit. Thank You for leading me in paths of righteousness and for the grace that carries me forward. I rest in Your perfect provision today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
The law can reveal sin but cannot save or transform. Jesus fulfilled the law, and through His Spirit, we are free to grow in grace. Let us walk in step with the Spirit, trusting Him to cultivate in us the life God has already given.