Under the Law?

There are some who say that we are 'not under the law', and I agree with them wholeheartedly. But I must always ask this question: What does it mean to 'not be under the law?' Does it mean that we are "free" from the law and don't need to obey it anymore? Is it because we are saved by faith through grace and no longer under the law? Sometimes we say things and we really don't think about what they mean.

If we are "free" from being under the law, then let's look at the most basic statement of the law, the Ten Commandments. If I'm completely "free" from being under them then it must mean:

First Commandment: It's okay to have other gods before God.
Second Commandment: It's okay to worship idols.
Third Commandment: It's okay to take the name of the Lord in vain.
Fourth Commandment: It's okay to ignore the Sabbath.
Fifth Commandment: It's no longer necessary to honor your parents.
Sixth Commandment: Killing's not that big of a deal.
Seventh Commandment: Want your neighbor's wife, feel free to take her.
Eighth Commandment: Want something you can't afford? Just take it.
Ninth Commandment: A little lie isn't that big of a deal.
Tenth Commandment: Coveting your neighbor's stuff? Don't sweat it.

That's not it? That's not what it means to be "free" from being under the law? It's all the other law's in the Bible that we don't have to worry about, the Ten Commandments are still okay? The other laws in Bible are all case laws and examples that derive from the Ten Commandments. Either they apply or they don't. So what is the answer?

We're free to determine right from wrong ourselves? God doesn't think so. He still has this notion that he's in charge. So what is the answer?

We only have to obey what's in the New Testament? God changed his mind about all that other stuff? Jesus said that he didn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. So what is the answer?

In Romans 3-5 Paul tells us that we are indeed free from being under the law such that we are saved by the awesome work of Christ in our lives. We are saved by faith through grace and through NO work of our own. We can't do anything to merit salvation or God's approval. To that extent we are dead to the penalty of the law.

In Romans 6-7 Paul goes on to tell us the rest of the story. He tells us that we are alive to the law as it is our sanctification. It tells us how God expects us to live. Once we are saved we are no longer slaves to sin and are to, in love for Jesus, choose to conform to the law. He says it is our righteousness. This ties beautifully to what James said, "faith without deeds is dead faith." How can our saving faith be real if after we are saved we don't love the Lord enough to obey him?

Jesus said at John 14:15, if you love me you will obey me. In other words, talk is cheap. If we really are saved, let's show it by being zealous to learn about all of God's laws, commands, principles and precepts that we might know how to be obedient to him in every area of our lives and so glorify him ... our Great Lord and Savior!