Chapters 4 and 5 detail how the law for righteousness is at the heart of today's Christian/Catholic orthodoxy. (I.e., Whether or not an individual experiences redemption and has faith in God depends on them, not God.) It stands to reason therefore, that almost everything we're being told regarding how to live a Christian life, and experience His blessing and favor is founded upon the same false premise.
Chapter 6 speaks to this in 2 parts:
- The overwhelming majority of teaching regarding how to live a Christian life is according to the law, not grace, and is therefore problematic because:
- The purpose of the law is to bring awareness and strength to sin.
Romans 3:19-20 - Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law (all of us), that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty (under right judgment) before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 Corinthians 15:56 – The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
What we're hearing from our pastors, priests, and teachers about "how to live a Christian life," is not empowering us, it's giving strength to sin (self-righteousness) and the works of the flesh as defined in Galatians 5:22. (I have over 40 years of experience under this dynamic of futility. How long has it been for you?)
Note: The purpose of this Chapter is not to judge or condemn anyone or any group; it’s to objectively point out that Christians and Catholics everywhere are living according to the law, and following a false gospel of sin inducing self-righteousness.