Christians vary. Some are nomists or legalists, i.e. they believe in immutable law, and believe they are to obey it meticulously. They do not question the law, but only seek to know what it is, so that they can obey it–if they can! Other Christians are antinomians who, whilst accepting the fact that there is law, look upon it as not demanding their obedience. They say they are 'free from law'. Sinless perfectionists say that since they cannot sin then what they do must be in accordance with God's law! Paul also speaks of believers who have weak faith or a weak conscience. They, too, have trouble with law, fearing that if they do not meticulously obey it they may even lose their salvation.

The emphasis we will make in our studies will be that without an experience and understanding of justification by grace–through faith–our approach to Christian ethics will always be defective. A human being who is trying to prove or justify himself in life will always have a defective view and practice of ethics. Why and how we obey is most important to our subject.