Laying out the Law!

A proper understanding of the Law (or law) is vital for our spiritual growth and key to stepping out of bondage into the very life of God. Unless we do a careful study, it will be impossible to decipher the different aspects of the Law that the Scriptures present to us. It is a fascinating study and the entire mosaic slowly falls into place if we persevere. When Paul says that we are free from the Law, we can become entirely confused. In Romans, Paul is using that statement to mean that we have moved out the bondage of sin into the atmosphere of grace where we have broken free from the curse of the Law. Why is it a curse? Because we have to do it completely. It is all or none! 
In Galatians, Paul is using that same statement to declare that we do not need the help of the Law to please God. Instead, it becomes an hindrance to us if we fall into the works of the Law. In Matthew 5 to 7, Jesus presents the real demands of the Law and shows us how impossible it is for us to fulfill the Law even when we are trying to keep the Law. 
There is also a grave lack of teaching in explaining the Law in relation to the sanctification process. We almost entirely relate to the Law in connection to being justified before God. We speak about how we are set free and are no longer stigmatized by the Law. What we fail to see is how easily we can be captured and brought back into bondage if we are not renewed in mind and heart. There is an ongoing deliverance from the Law and its effects into the abundance of the life of God.