Living in the Garden of Grace: The Cross and the Law
*Inspired by insights from Living in the Garden of Grace
"Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
— Colossians 2:14
Imagine a long, imposing list nailed to a courthouse door. It’s filled with every offense, every failure, and every shortcoming of your life. The weight of this list is unbearable, and its demands are relentless. But then, a person steps forward, takes the list, and nails it to the cross, declaring it null and void. This is precisely what Jesus has done for us.
At the cross, Jesus did more than forgive our trespasses—He erased the handwriting of requirements that stood against us. The law, with all its righteous demands, was fulfilled in Him. As Ephesians 2:14-15 explains, He tore down the dividing wall that separated us from God and abolished the law of commandments that brought enmity. We are no longer under the condemnation of the law, but united with Christ in a relationship of love and grace.
Set Free to Bear Fruit
Through Christ, we have been freed from law-living, which is rooted in the flesh. Romans 7:4 reminds us that we died to the law through the body of Christ so that we might be joined to Him—our spiritual groom—and bear fruit to God. This is not the fruit of self-effort or striving to meet a standard. It is the natural outgrowth of living in union with Jesus, just as a branch bears fruit when it abides in the vine.
The metaphor of a marriage beautifully captures this reality. The law was like an old, rigid spouse, always pointing out our faults and demanding perfection. But now, we are united with Christ, our spiritual husband, who loves us unconditionally and empowers us to live a life of peace and fruitfulness.
Living in Grace, Not Legalism
Legalism, with its endless rules and man-made ordinances, keeps us shackled to the flesh. It whispers that we must do in order to be accepted. But the truth of the gospel is that Jesus has already done it all. The law’s demands have been met, and its power over us has been broken. We no longer live to fulfill a checklist; we live as the beloved bride of Christ, resting in His finished work.
A Prayer of Confidence
Father,
Thank You for nailing the law and all its demands to the cross. Thank You for setting us free to live in the grace of our union with Christ. We trust in the sufficiency of Jesus’ finished work and rejoice that we are no longer under condemnation. Let our lives bear fruit as a natural expression of our relationship with Him. We rest in the truth that You have given us all we need for life and godliness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
As believers, we are no longer bound by the demands of the law but are free to live as the bride of Christ. This freedom isn’t license—it’s life. It’s a life of abiding in Him, bearing fruit, and reflecting His love to the world. Let’s embrace the joy of this new life, knowing that Jesus has truly set us free.