In the book of Galatians, Paul addresses a critical issue facing the early church: the relationship between law and grace. He confronts a deceptive mixture of Judaism and Gnosticism that was leading the Gentile converts astray. This false teaching defined a relationship with God through a distorted understanding of law, known as halakha, which was the Jewish way of life filled with human traditions rather than God's true law. To these deceivers, law was not the divine instruction given by God but a set of man-made interpretations that they believed earned them favor with God, thus undermining His sovereignty and grace. Paul clarifies that justification does not come from adhering to such laws or traditions but through faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes in Galatians 2:16 that a person is not justified by works of law except through faith in Jesus Christ. This statement does not nullify the importance of works but highlights that works without faith in Christ are of no avail. Works, when coupled with faith in Him, are essential and complementary, showing the evidence of true faith. Moreover, Paul demonstrates that faith and works are not contradictory but work together in both justification and sanctification. As seen in Galatians 2:16 and supported by James 2:21-24, living faith must be accompanied by works, for faith without works is dead. God expects those who have faith in Christ to keep His law, as works are a reflection of genuine faith. Thus, law and grace are not opposed but are harmoniously united when centered on faith in Jesus Christ.

Salvation has always been by grace, for we have already broken the law, and its death penalty hangs over us by the time we become aware of God through His calling. There is no salvation without justification, and justification comes by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice. However, the fact that salvation is by grace does not diminish the importance of the law; rather, it provides a clearer focus on the law's true purpose. The law serves as the basic guide to good works, for which we were created in Christ Jesus. Obedience to the law produces a witness that our God is God, proves our loyalty to His government, assists in building godly character, and provides the foundation for a stable community. God's law is the path, the way, the course we must follow. Without rules, life descends into chaos, and this world is heading toward such chaos as evil grows worse by ignoring these rules. Even though salvation is by grace through faith, we can fall short of grace if we do not follow the path set by the law. God has already laid out this path for us, and it is the basic route toward the perfection He is creating. We must cooperate with God, truly work with Him to accomplish His will in our lives, by repenting of sin and purifying our conduct. This involves putting off carnal characteristics and putting on godly traits such as judgment, mercy, and faith, which are matters of the law. We cannot be justified before God except through faith in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, after which God extends His grace. Yet, this does not excuse us from keeping the law. Those who keep the law will be justified and saved, not because they keep it to earn salvation, but because they show faithfulness in preparing their lives for His Kingdom, where all live by the same godly rules outlined in the law. Both those ignorant of the law and those with knowledge of it will be judged by the same standard, for the law defines sin, and sin brings God's judgment. God is impartial, using the same measure for everyone, and those privileged to know the law have the opportunity to make their lives exceedingly better by following the way of life He has laid down.

The relationship between law and grace is not one of opposition but of complementarity. Justification is a judicial act by our Father in heaven, graciously given based on the sacrifice of Christ and our faith in Him. However, this grace does not nullify works. Faith and works are not mutually exclusive; if faith is truly part of a person's character, it will reveal itself through conduct, and works will show who and what a person has faith in. Works have positive value when combined with faith in Jesus Christ, as righteousness comes by the faith of Jesus Christ, who achieved it through perfect law-keeping by His faith in God. Law-keeping is both a duty and an expression of love towards God and man. If the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by His Holy Spirit, it expresses itself back to God in a loving, willing submission to His laws and as an outward concern for our fellow man. The keeping of God's commandments produces evidence of who we believe in, though works alone cannot justify or save us due to past sins. No amount of law-keeping can undo what has been done, as the penalty remains overwhelming. It takes something of awesome worth and purity, given in our stead, for God to declare us righteous. Justification by grace through faith does not provide license to break God's law. The law plays a significant role in salvation by revealing us as sinners, prompting repentance, and guiding us on the right path. Without the law, there would be no standard to aim for or clear direction on how to live. Far from being done away with, the law is essential for our salvation, though it cannot, of itself, give life. Christ has not freed us from the death penalty to turn us into lawbreakers. If we return to a sinful way of life after repentance and forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice, we make ourselves transgressors, not Christ. Our responsibility is to strive with all our being not to incur the death penalty again, as Christ is not a minister of sin. We have no permission to sin, but we have complete cooperation to strive for righteousness through keeping God's law, empowered by His Spirit. This process produces the image of God in us, aligning us with His purpose and preparing us for His Kingdom.

Law and Grace are not in opposition to one another but are in apposition, meaning they are layered upon each other in agreement. The Bible is a continuing revelation, building upon what was previously revealed. The law came first, and now grace is layered on top of it, working together with the law. Grace clarifies the proper position of law, showing that they complement each other in guiding us toward God's intent of love toward Him and fellow man.