TheTruth About Law And Grace

[RJ]

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
Hebrews 7:18-19
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant “new,” He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Hebrews 7:20-22
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but He became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: `You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Hebrews 10:1-4
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Romans 3:19-20
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
The purpose of the law is to make us conscious of sin.
1 Timothy 1:8-10
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.
The purpose of the law is to show our need for salvation.
Galatians 3:19-24
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
The law cannot make you righteous, justify you, or give you life.
Galatians 2:16 & 21
Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galatians 3:11
Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The law can only bring death.
Romans 7:10
I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
Galatians 3:21
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Hebrews 10:14
Because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Christ fulfilled the law.
Matthew 5:27-29
You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
The purpose of the law is to stir up sin.
1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Romans 7:5, 7-8
For when we were controlled by the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.
Colossians 2:20-23
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Romans 9:30-32
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 
but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 
Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.”
Galatians 3:10
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
The law includes the Ten Commandments.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
Hebrews 10:1
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
John 19:30
When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.
Hebrews 10:20
But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 
13 Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.
Romans 10:4
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 4
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance–now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Romans 8:3-4
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ.
Galatians 3:24-25
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Romans 7:1-6
Do you not know, brothers–for I am speaking to men who know the law–that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Romans 8:14
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Galatians 3:1-3
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 1:6-8
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 8:14
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Galatians 2:19
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.
Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

 

[jiggyfly]

Very nice post Joe, good layout of scriptures too.

 

[RJ]

Very nice post Joe, good layout of scriptures too.

Thanks, but all credit goes to our King!
Isn't it amazing, He created all of these truths and made it a gift to us. He took man completely out of the equation. All we have to do is recieve it!.....It's free!

 

[jiggyfly]

Yes it is Joe it's also amazingly simple.

I like what Paul said in his letter to the believers at Ephesus.

Eph 3:14-21 When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, [fn] the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

And look here at what John says in his first letter.

1Jo 4:17&18 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.

Spiritual growth is the result of simply trusting in Jesus and the experience of embracing His love as it works in and through us. Self simply can not exist in the environment of Christ's love, it must diminish and die away. A friend once said that spiritual growth is not more years or knowledge but simply more of Him (Jesus) and less of me.

It appears to me that those who still struggle with trying to keep the law (including the ten commandments) and feel the need to, do so out of fear and have yet to realize and embrace the fact that we are already pleasing to father because of what Christ did for us on the cross.

Thus Paul's words to those at Colossi.

Col 1:19-23 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it.

Tis really good news.

 

[RJ]

Amen!

Yes it is so simple that we make it hard from our denial

 

[HisFollower]

Or as Christ indicated to Paul (below):

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:4-5

"to kick against the pricks" is to say "to place the law in its proper place, namely, under grace".

 

[Boanerges]

An awesome post Joe, thanks!:shade: I am going to reread it and soak it in.

 

[sentinel7]

amen brother Larry,it's a good one,need to soak it in~ty joe!
thank you Jesus...

 

[xv2000]

I realize its a big bump, but I've always wondered something about the law.

Jesus says that he didn't abolish the law, but he fulfilled it, but in Ephesians 2:15, Paul say that he did abolish it. And Jesus said that every part of the law will remain until it is all accomplished so does that mean some of it is still in effect? And he talks about those who follow the law will be called the greatest in heaven, so does that also mean the law is to be followed?

It just seems to me that Jesus and Paul are saying two different things. I know there's an explaination, I just need some guidance

EDIT: Also in Romans 3:31, even Paul says to uphold the law and says that faith does not nullify it. So is he saying that even though salvation comes from faith alone, we should still keep to the laws of Moses?

 

[RJ]

I realize its a big bump, but I've always wondered something about the law.

Jesus says that he didn't abolish the law, but he fulfilled it, but in Ephesians 2:15, Paul say that he did abolish it. And Jesus said that every part of the law will remain until it is all accomplished so does that mean some of it is still in effect? And he talks about those who follow the law will be called the greatest in heaven, so does that also mean the law is to be followed?

It just seems to me that Jesus and Paul are saying two different things. I know there's an explaination, I just need some guidance

EDIT: Also in Romans 3:31, even Paul says to uphold the law and says that faith does not nullify it. So is he saying that even though salvation comes from faith alone, we should still keep to the laws of Moses?

Well, I say this xv 20000, when you pick a good one you pick a "good one"!... God does make it interesting, doesn't He? Let's see if I can seperate these out and make sense of the whole thing:
Jesus says that he didn't abolish the law, but he fulfilled
That's true. He didn't abolish the purpose of the law specifically. As with the Ten Commandments, the Ten Commandments will be will us until the end times, until it is not needed any longer. Not a law to follow, like the ancients, but to show unbelivers their sinful nature and thus help move them forward to Grace. Now fullfillment: Notice how Jesus said it in Mathew 5:17:" I came not to abolish but fullfill the Law."...future tense, not fullfilled yet! This fullfillment has nothing to do with things like the Ten Commandments, His fullfillment of the Law would be to complete prophecies of the Messiah and that He would die for our ineguities. He did fullfill them upon his death and resurrection. You are saved by faith in grace.
but in Ephesians 2:15, Paul say that he did abolish it.
Remember, this is after His death and resurrection and he fullfilled His Prophecy from Mathew 5:17. Jesus abolished the law of works, having to do something for your forgiveness of sins. He ushered in the Law of Grace, that your forgiveness is a gift and free and not requiring works!
So is he saying that even though salvation comes from faith alone, we should still keep to the laws of Moses?
No, again, it is by faith alone but the laws are still important.
Look at the next verse at Mathew 5: 18: The law, Ten Commandments purpose of showing man his sin, will not pass away until there is no need for, not "til heaven and earth pass away".
Hope this helps!

 

[xv2000]

Thank you so much! That really cleared up a lot

EDIT: Actually one last thing, sorry XD
When you say that he fulfilled the original purpose of the law, does that include the dietary laws of the torah? Because it seemed like Jesus adhered to most of the Torah's laws, and shouldn't it be our goal to look more like Jesus?

Sorry again, I'm not trying to disprove anything, I just have a lot to learn

 

[RJ]

Thank you so much! That really cleared up a lot

EDIT: Actually one last thing, sorry XD
When you say that he fulfilled the original purpose of the law, does that include the dietary laws of the torah? Because it seemed like Jesus adhered to most of the Torah's laws, and shouldn't it be our goal to look more like Jesus?

Sorry again, I'm not trying to disprove anything, I just have a lot to learn

If you don't ask questions, how else to learn. Many, when reluctant to ask a question, often preface it with: "I don't want to sound stupid",or, "this might sound stupid". I heard a wise quote once, " If you have any quesion and don't ask it, that is stupid. So, much for using that word!

Also, don't just take my word for it, just keep reading your Bible and the Holy Spirit will show what is truth. But, saying that:

You miss an important truth here.
Jesus was an Arthodox Jew. He above all, adhered to the Laws of Moses and any relationship he had with others were completely adherent to all of the current laws. But, only up to a point!
To fullfill the law Jesus was fullfilling the prophecies of His messiahship and His death. Upon His death and resurrection, Jesus was, like us, not subject to the Mosaic Laws anymore. If Jesus still wants to, He can still adhere to these Laws but he is not under the Law and not required to do them. Like us, Jesus is now under grace, which abolishes the requirements and regulations of the Old Law, including your question about deitary laws.
St. Paul , in part, explains one of the truths about this new grace:
"Everything is permissable but everything is not profitable".

This may surprise you buy quit trying to be like Jesus, because you can't, no one can! But you can and, you can tell others that they can invite Jesus in their hearts, bodies and minds and let Him live His life through them: Then you will start to be like Jesus!

 

[jiggyfly]

The Law of Moses (including the ten commandments) were part of the covenant (old) that God made with Israel after leaving Egypt. A covenant is essentially a contract between two or more parties, and this contract was between God and Israel. There were consequences involved in Israel's obedience/disobedience to the law. But Israel broke this contract time and again and was not entitled to any of the blessing from it.

This is why Jesus said that He did not come to abolish it but to fulfill it and in fulfilling the contract, He has obtained for us all the blessing therein. Hebrews chapters 8&9 explains this very well.

Hebrews 8:13 When God speaks of a new covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and ready to be put aside.

Once a contract has been completely fulfilled and satisfied it is no longer binding and is filed away. This is exactly what Christ has done and God has offered a new covenant. In the old covenant God gave the Law but in the new covenant God gave us His Spirit,the first was sprinkled with blood of an ox but the new covenant is sprinkled with blood from God's own Son, Jesus.

So, has the law (including the ten commandments) been set aside? Yes it has, God has stamped "contract completely satisfied" across it and filed it away. So now it is utterly useless for anyone to try please God by adhering to the old covenant (the law including the ten commandments) because it has become obsolete and put away.

We now have a new and far better covenant with God but it's not about following any letters. Now it is HolySpirit that we are to follow. Paul said that the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.

 

[jiggyfly]

This may surprise you buy quit trying to be like Jesus, because you can't, no one can! But you can and, you can tell others that they can invite Jesus in their hearts, bodies and minds and let Him live His life through them: Then you will start to be like Jesus!

I like this Joe, I have said many times that religion says walk like Jesus but HolySpirit says walk with Jesus. This is what it means to abide and his life begins to flow in and through us.

 

[Boanerges]

just my thoughts:
The more we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus, the more we abide in Him, the more we will see His heart manifest in our lives. When we are born again we receive an inner man (spirit) made in the image Jesus. Our mind must be renewed or made new in it's thinking, it must believe the Word and think like Jesus too. It is when people see Jesus in us, when you lives and testimony lift Jesus up that they are drawn. This is the process of saving the soul and is the work of the Holy Spirit:

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

 

[RJ]

Amen and Amen!

A popular adage"WWJD", "What would Jesus Do"? A better fit of the gospel would be, "What Will I Allow Jesus To Do".

To support this all we have to do is listen to "Our King's" statements paraphrasing all passages below)

"I am the vine and the Father is the Vine Dresser.You are the branches and If you live in me and I in you, you will produce much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing".

To many and, I am not judging there salvation , too many think they have to produce fruits to prove their love for God and show their salvation.
It is wonderful to have fruits and God certainly expects them because He says: " with out fruits our faith is dead". Jesus ,above statement in in John 15:5 (" apart from me you can do nothing"), is saying the same thing.
As branches, it is His fruit that we bare and not of our own doing!

God gives us a caveat to this: though we are forgiven and saved through the death and resurrected life of Jesus Christ, we are still not perfect. God knows this better than we do, after all, He created us!
And none explains this better than St. Paul. Look how he talks about our imperfection and then, immediately reinforces our future glory and perfection:
Has to be one of my favorites, 1 COR 13: 9-12:
9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Wow, face to face with God and understanding Him fully!....must be heaven!!!

Until that perfection comes, we will all struggle and this includes our letting Jesus work through us. The secret is to understand this truth and forge on. And, the truth is not to beat ourselves up when we fail but, like St. Paul ( see Romans 7:18 - 8:1) understand what Jesus did for us at the cross and thank Him.
I like how Boanerges puts it: "The more we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus, the more we abide in Him".

 

[Boanerges]

A popular adage"WWJD", "What would Jesus Do"? A better fit of the gospel would be, "What Will I Allow Jesus To Do".

Hallelujah! Let it not be our fleshly works (Ishmael) but the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.