The Law vs. Grace
The Law (given through Moses) reveals God's righteous standard and exposes sin, but cannot itself save; grace (given through Jesus Christ) provides the forgiveness and righteousness the Law demanded but could not produce.
Point by Point
The Law
Grace
What it does
Reveals sin and God's standard of holiness; functions as a 'schoolmaster' pointing to Christ.
Provides forgiveness, righteousness, and empowerment that the Law could only demand, not supply.
Source
Given through Moses at Sinai.
Given through Jesus Christ.
Relationship, not opposition
Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it (Matthew 5:17).
Grace fulfills what the Law pointed toward, rather than replacing a good thing with an unrelated one.
Scripture References
The Law Came by Moses, Grace by Jesus Christ
John 1:1717 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
States the contrast directly and by name.
The Law as Schoolmaster
Galatians 3:24-2524 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Paul describes the Law's role as preparatory, leading people to Christ.
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