Romans 3:19-26 // Not Under The Law

Based on Romans 3:19-26


19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.


A cow is grazing peacefully in a green field, entirely content. But as the cow grazes, she sees some slightly greener grass at a distance. She trots over to the greener grass but before she can get there she is stopped by a solid wooden fence. She puts her head through the fence, straining to reach the grass but it is beyond her reach. Unless she pushes down the fence and steps outside the field she will not be able to satisfy her desire for the greener grass.
The wicked heart desires things that God has forbidden, and when trying to satisfy these desires comes into contact with the law of God (if it is known). Straining to fulfil its desires, it is feeling the restriction of the law. Breaking the law it will be subject to the punishment of the law.
How can we be not under the law (Rom 6:14) when Jesus was made under the law (Gal 4:4)?
Being under the law is being under the curse of the law.
If the cow grazed in the middle of her field and ignored forbidden pastures, she would not be affected by the fence. If the wicked heart is transformed by Jesus and continues to submit to him it will not try to stretch or break God's law and the curse of the law will not be on it. It will no longer be cursed by the law, it will no longer be under the law. Jesus became under the law, under the curse of the law, he became cursed for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
Those who do not know the law are still under the law to God (1 Cor 9:21) and knowing the law could only help them. Being under the law is not related to knowing the law or trying to keep the law, it is related to breaking the law.
All that just to explain the phrase "under the law".

The law is designed for wicked people, every one of us before conversion; to show us that we are guilty and need Jesus. It does this by showing us what is right; and thus we can see that we do not do what is right. Because the purpose of the law is identifying sin, the law itself cannot empower us to keep the law. Just knowing what is right will not guarantee we always do what is right. Just knowing what is wrong will not guarantee we never do what is wrong.
But even in the law and the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) we find clear evidence pointing to the solution God gave in Jesus. This solution is not another law, the solution does not work like a law; it works by faith in Jesus Christ. What is the problem again? The problem is that I have broken the law and I can't stop myself. What is the solution? Have faith in Jesus Christ. What does it look like when the problem is solved? I am no longer breaking the law. Isn't that simple logic?
Faith in Jesus Christ must work for everyone the same way, because we all have the same problem; we have broken God's law. Jesus gives us the free gift of forgiveness of our past sins, allowing us to be friends of God again; and Jesus shows us how to live a life in obedience to his law. All of this is done by faith, I am to read his word, believe it is true, act on that belief, and he will work a miracle to make it true for me.
I am justified.