(Hebrews 10:1-10 – Grace is better than the law)
Jesus came to offer us redemption and salvation under the grace of God. Grace is better than the law. This is the thrust of these few verses that contrast the power of God’s grace versus the law.
The law is good, but it is not the best way to find salvation. In these verses we see that the law cannot make a person perfect. But this is both possible and the aim of the grace of God. We have been called to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. And Jesus was perfect as God is perfect. We even see in Matthew 5:48 these words, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But the law will not make anyone perfect, only God can do that. This is why He has offered His grace to us, and it is why grace is better than the law.
But there is a fundamental flaw in much of the Christian world today. Many, if not most Christians believe they are under law. They believe that they have to keep the law and do the works of the law. That is what what required under Judaism. But Christianity is NOT Judaism. Jesus Christ has taken away our sins and set us free from the law. And as the scripture says in Romans 6:14, “…sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Grace is better than the law, so let us look at what these words in Hebrews 10 tell us.
Grace is better than the law scriptures
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.” 8 When he said above, “Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Lo, I have come to do thy will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:1-10)
The weakness in the Law
In the first verse above we see that law has only a shadow of the good things to come. This is not to say there is anything wrong with the law. The law is good, but there is something so much better. A shadow is without form, foundation, or presence. It requires the light to bring it into existence. But it is not a solid thing upon which you can count.
By contrast, Jesus was and is solid. He is the epitome of the grace of God. It is through Jesus that we receive salvation and redemption from sin. By contrast the law condemns us as sinners and is without compassion or mercy for those who break the law. Jesus is full of the compassion and mercy of God, and He offers us forgiveness even when we don’t deserve it.
Grace is merciful, forgiving, compassionate, and kind. The law is harsh and unbending, condemning those who break it. This is why grace is better than the law. Grace offers us a hope that cannot be found in the law.
Why Grace is better than the Law
Under the power of God’s grace we are set free from sin and set free from the law.
Most Christian know these things. These words are frequently quoted and preached. But understanding what they mean is often lost or missed.
When it says Jesus has set you free from sin, it does not mean you are just forgiven. Jesus takes away your sins. Completely. They are removed and gone…forever. Look at what these scriptures tell us.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
And;
I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more. (Hebrews 10:17)
And finally;
He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)
Consider these three scriptures. In the first one in John, we are told that Jesus “takes away” all of our sins. He doesn’t just forgive us, but He removes and takes away all of our sin. It is gone forever.
Then in the second verse in Hebrews 10 we see that God is saying that under the New Covenant He will completely forget and not ever remember our sins again. All of our sins are completely and forever forgotten. This is the power of God’s grace and why grace is better than the law.
Finally in the third scripture from Micah, we see how far away God has cast our sins. They have been cast so far away it is as if they are cast into the deepest depths of the sea. They are in a place where they cannot be retrieved or returned.
This is what it means when you hear the words that Jesus came to take away your sins. He didn’t come just to forgive them, but to remove them. And this had to happen because God would not have anything to do with sinners. It is sin that stands between man and God.
So, to return to the presence of God, sin had to be dealt with in such a way that it does not exist for those who seek God. And He has done this through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is why grace is better than the law. In every way it offers a greater hope and a salvation that cannot be achieved under the law.
Grace is better than the Law as it offers Perfection
What is perfection? Perfection is the removal of sin. And more than that, it is the removal of the propensity for sin.
God is perfect and God does not sin or even have the desires for sin. If we are to be perfect as God is perfect (Matthew 5:48), then we too have to be made perfect, without sin, and without the propensity or desire for sin.
This section of Hebrews 10 shows the contrast between the law and the grace of God. It tells us that the law makes nothing perfect. In fact the law provides the constant reminder of sin. It shows just how much we don’t “measure up” to God’s standard of perfection. And without the ability to offer the sacrifices in the Temple today, the cannot be fulfilled as it was delivered.
But grace removes the law. It removes our sin forever. Grace takes away the pressure, condemnation, and guilt of the law. And there is a curse for those who seek to live under the law.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them.” (Galatians 3:10)
This is why grace is better than the law. All of the problems, issues, and challenges of the law are removed for those who have faith in Jesus Christ. But they must understand what this faith means and what it entails. Sadly, many do not.
Grace is better than the Law – but that isn’t what many Churches teach
Many churches today talk about freedom from sin and freedom from the law. But then in the next breath they say that we are all sinners and we all have to keep the law. They state that Christians have to tithe and fast and many other things that were required under the law.
But if Jesus has released us from the law, if we have died to the law in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and if we stand free from sin and freed from the law by the grace of God through faith, how can the things they preach be right?
They cannot be correct. You cannot be set free from the law and under the law at the same time. You cannot be a sinner if Jesus has taken away your sins for all time, as the scripture says. And you cannot be under the law and under grace at the same time. In fact the scripture tells us that those who seek to be justified by the law have cut themselves off from Christ.
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
Do you want to be cut off from Christ? I’m sure you don’t. So, if you want to be under grace, you have to realise that through faith and by believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you are indeed set free from your sin AND set free from the law.
This is why grace is better than the law. Grace leads to perfection and it shows the love, mercy, compassion, and kindness of God towards His people. The law does not. Yes, the law is good, but grace is better. As the scripture said, the law has but a shadow of the good that is to come. Grace is the embodiment and fullness of what God offers in Jesus Christ.
You might also like:
Grace And Truth Came Through Jesus Christ
The Woman Caught In Adultery Part 2
A Merciful God
Enlightened By The Holy Spirit
What Is Sin
Righteousness Of God
Restored By Grace
Free Gift From God
Access To Grace
The Reign Of Grace
How Freedom From Law Works
No Condemnation When God Justifies
Chosen By Grace
Transformation
Now Is The Day Of Salvation
Becoming Perfect
Set Free From Sin
Gods Grace
Gods Purpose In Christ Jesus
Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.
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