We are not under the law, nor is anyone today. The reference above was to those under the law, the Hebrews and the gentiles who would join themselves to the hebrew nation. So, no, there is no contradiction.
As this post was to another, I'll answer the 2nd question for me, God is who I understand him to be, as far as my understanding and walk, and this comes through reading of him in the bible. None of us have a complete picture of God for God didn't reveal himself complete, but gave us what we need to know.
So, when I read God is good, I know God is good. That is my understanding, that is just one part, but is an example of how we come to understand who God is.
Comes by reading about him, and also with prayer life, talking and relationship as we get to know Him, and all becomes our understanding of who God is.
On the standards, no I do not determine who God is by my standards, rather thru the bible is how I understand who God is in as much as I can know and according to my walk with God, and as to how much I grasp of what I read.
blessings,
tapero