More on The Law vs. Grace

More on The Law vs. Grace

When we get our eyes off of the Lord and start looking at circumstances we begin to seek ways of correcting things ourselves. I remember an incident when our children were young, one of them was not getting their way. He came to us in total frustration and said, “We need a rule about ...” If there was a rule then he could use that leverage to get the result he wanted.

I believe that is how leaders in Christian churches get to the place of re-activating The Law and applying it to Believers. It is nothing new.

Galatians 3:1-3 (ESV) O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

I mentioned this last time, but it is worth repeating here. There were some in the Old Testament that operated in Grace, even before Jesus paid the price for sin and made a way for us to be accepted by Father. Look at Abraham. Even though he lived before The Law, he knew there was something more than trying to live right in order to please God.

Galatians 3:4-9 (ESV) Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Now, even though we live after The Law was written, we are not bound by it for the same reason that Abraham was not bound by it. Jesus, the Christ, redeemed us so we no longer have to try to be justified by keeping The Law.

Galatians 3:10-14 (ESV) For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Now, since He has received the promise given to Abraham, we get to be partakers of it if we are “in Christ.” The Law was never intended for us before Jesus, and certainly not after Jesus. Our whole focus is to live “in Christ.” Nothing else matters. Do not allow anyone to put The Law on you as a requirement to have fellowship with Father. He explicitly made a way so you would never have to strive to keep The Law, but instead, enter His presence boldly in faith, knowing you have already been received!!

Selah!