Law and Grace - Knowing and Forgetting

The topic "Law and Grace" invites much heated discussion.
Paul wrote Galatians to explain this.
He uses the example of tutor for law to guide the kid until he is a mature son.

I will like to use the following modern days artifacts to explain Law and Grace.

1. Law is the scaffolding of a building during its construction. When the concrete has settled and matured, the building is strong and can stands on its own. The scaffolding is not longer needed and is taken down. 
2. Law is like the support wheels of children bicycle. When the child know how to ride with 2 wheels, the support wheels are more hindrance and help and they are taken off.

In the same way, 

1. The Law is meant to lead us to Grace by point out our sins and our inability to live up to its demand.
   (Gal 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.)
2. Once we received and internalized grace, we need not the law, not because we are freed to break the laws but that in grace, we will walk only in righteousness naturally.
   (Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." See the fruit of the Spirit in 5:22-23 which surpass the Laws)
3. He who loves automatically fulfill the commandments.
   (Rom 13:8b for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law).

We see the progression of learning the Law to know Grace and then after knowing Grace we must forget, or more accurately, shift focus away from, the Law to focus on Grace. Focusing on Grace enables us to walk in greater satisfaction and peace to more more things that glorify God. If we just go back to focus on the Law, we are doing the minimum and likely to fail( the Paul of Rom 7 I know right and yet do not but sin). Once saved, we must change our mindset to be that of God and of the Spirit. (see Col 3:1-2)

Interesting, Confucius, the famous Chinese Sage, show us how this is done.

子曰:“吾十有五而志于学,三十而立,四十而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳顺,七十而从心所欲,不逾矩。”

Confucius said, "When I made up my mind to learn at 15. I was able to stand (be independent and mature) at 30. At 40, I was not longer confused. At 50, I know my calling. At 60, I can hear and learn from any thing (even criticisms and not be upset). At 70, I could act according to my heart desire without transgressing.

When we internalized the grace of God, the Christ in us, and follow our heart, we will not violate the Law in our actions. The key is abide in Christ and we shall surpass the Law. We do away with the Law by abiding in Christ.

Lim Liat (C) 14 March 2012