Most people who claim to know God only know what they learned in church. They’ve been taught the Old-Testament stories about a God who punished and killed people who didn’t follow all the rules. However, what was true under the Law of Moses may no longer be true under grace. What is true now is that God isn’t angry anymore, but instead is waiting to show us His favor and mercy.

One definition of dispensation is an exemption from a law or impediment. Under this definition, the dispensation of grace has made us exempt from Mosaic Law and freed us from the impediments the law put in the way of us enjoying a loving relationship with God. Living under grace doesn’t mean living completely free of all laws, only the Mosaic Law that proved to be a stumbling block to experiencing God’s best. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.

The old-covenant law kept the people aware of their wrongdoings. The more they tried to do right by the law, the more they sinned. Religion teaches us all about sin, but now that Jesus has ended the law, we no longer have to be constantly reminded of it. For believers, sin doesn’t have dominion over us because we’re no longer under the law, but under grace.

Under the law, sin was a huge issue for mankind. The priests constantly had to atone for it through animal sacrifices. When Jesus went to the cross, He took care of sin permanently and made forgiveness available by faith in Him. When He returns, it won’t be to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to those waiting for Him.

God’s anger only lasted for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime. That moment has passed. Accepting what He now offers will profoundly affect the quality of our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, Your Son went to the cross to end the old dispensation of the law and establish the new dispensation of grace. Thank You for forgiving our sins and welcoming us into Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Romans 8:2

Romans 6:14

Hebrews 9:28, NLT

Psalm 30:5, NLT