Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
When the Lord forgave our sins, He freed us from the Law. It all happened at the same time. So, why were we under the Law (the jews of old) at all? This answer will take a few lines.
At the fall in the Garden, God began His redemption plan by sacrificing the animals to provide a covering for our first parents. The Law was part of that plan, but came much later.
When the jews were rescued from Egypt they were given the Law at Mt Sinai. They were entering into a relationship with God. The Law was their code of conduct. It also included how to repair the relationship, if it was broken; that was an animal sacrifice. Similar to the one in the Garden. Thus began a many century relationship with God.
As we are reading in Galatians, the Law is cumbersome and impossible to keep. Thus the reason for Jesus' coming and sacrifice. Peter says in Acts 15:10, "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"
So, if the Law was impossible to fulfill why was it given? It was God's standard. It was His level and where those needed to be that would be in relationship to Him. It showed us an aspect of holiness. At the end of it we are supposed to respond like Isaiah in 6:5, So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”
Another version says, "I am ruined". The Law made that very clear. Jesus had to come and die for our sins, otherwise we would have been lost.
Jesus' coming freed us from the Law and provided another form of guidance, to be led by the Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Thus began the Spirit's ministry.
Jesus calls Him the Helper. That is wonderful, as we need help. The God of the universe who sustains all life, desires to be with us and wants to help us. Our parents were helpers on a much smaller scale. Some were good while others were not. God is always with us. He is perfect and always there. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."
He not only helps us, He guides us, "led by the Spirit". He would seem to be too busy for this, but He's God with infinite resources. He can attend to the multi-billion of us all at the same time and He does so lovingly. Matthew 11:28-30 illustrates this, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This Matthew passage is so comforting and encouraging. Most are uncomfortable when thinking of God, yet here He offers rest. He's gentle, a trait usually not ascribed to God. Now that Sinai has been dealt with, He can be gentle with us. We don't have to fear that we are approaching a scary Oz-like deity for He's lowly of heart. He's not high minded or arrogant. He's not seeking to impress, like so many. He wants all of us to feel comfortable.
We are led by the Spirit, so we are no longer under the Law. Thank You, God. The Law played it's part, but then Jesus freed us from it and introduced a whole new way. Thank You Holy Spirit for guiding us.