In understanding the new reality in Christ with the law, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) explained it in this way:
“What is God’s law now? It is not above a Christian-it is under Christian. Some men hold God’s law like a rod, in terror, over Christians, and say, “If you sin you will be punished with it.” It is not so. The law is under a Christian; it is for him to walk on, to be his guide, His rule, his pattern.” We are not under the law, but under grace.” Law is the road which guides us, not the rod which drives us, nor the spirit which actuates us (C.H. Spurgeon. The New Park Street Pulpit. Pilgrim Publications 1975. p. 2:124.)