As an apostle, Paul was an inspired spokesman for Jesus Christ. Through Paul much was revealed about the end of the law, and the beginning of salvation by grace through faith. Because of this new teaching, Paul faced slander and accusations (Acts 18:13; 21:28; Romans 3:8; 6:1). Some thought lawlessness would be the result if the law was cancelled. Paul’s reply was firm and forthright:
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:15-18)
Believers become Christians by obeying the Gospel—you “have become obedient from the heart to the standard [the pattern, the form] of teaching” (Romans 6:17; see this pattern as taught in Romans 6:1-4). As Christians, they renounce sinful ways and give themselves to God’s service. That is the main point being made in the sixth chapter of Romans. Far from inciting lawlessness, Christ inspires an entirely new level of obedience and righteousness—based on grace, not law.