The phrase “Under the Law” can be a source of misunderstanding.
Some think that Romans 6:4 means that a Christian does not have to obey God’s Law. This is incorrect. Christians must always keep God’s law. As Jesus summarized the law in Matt 22:37-40.
Matt 22:37 KJV ¶ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Paul also explained this concept of keeping the Law of God in Rm 13:9.
Rm 13:9 RSV The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
A Christian can either be under Law or Grace.
Romans 6:14 KJV — For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This concept is explained in Romans 3:19. The Apostle Paul defines the phrase “Under the Law” as referring to a guilty person.
Romans 3:19 KJV — Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are “under the law” that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
A person who is guilty of breaking God’s Law is “Under the Law”. The authority over them ,as a guilty person, has become the law and it’s penalties, 1 Tim 1:9.
1 Timothy 1:9 KJV — Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
On the other hand – God’s grace is the authority over the person who keeps God’s law. That person has not become subject to the laws penalties for disobedience.
They cooperate with the teachings of God’s grace and do what is right, and live a Godly life.
Titus 2: 11¶For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;