What Does the New Testament Teach About Law And Grace?
What is the meaning of grace? Does it nullify��do away with��the law? Is grace a �license� to sin? Does �not under the law� mean grace has replaced it�and removed any need for Christians to produce good works? What did Christ and His apostles teach? What does the Bible really say?
What is the New Testament teaching on �law and grace�? Is it one or the other�law versus grace�or both�law and grace? This is a subject of great controversy, leaving many confused. This need not be. Here is the plain Bible teaching!
The meaning of grace in the New Testament has nothing to do with abolishing God�s laws. False teachers who promote �grace� over obedience are unaware that the New Testament was written for those whom God calls to assume roles of great responsibility in His kingdom. These false teachers misunderstand because God has neither opened their minds nor given them His Holy Spirit, which is necessary to comprehend His truth.
The Christian calling (Rom. 8:29-30) is based on grace�unmerited pardon of past sins and forgiveness upon genuine repentance. Christians understand that the very salvation offered to them is a gift, and that they must continue to live a lifetime of obedience (Acts 5:32, John 14:15) and overcoming.
The Law in Perspective
Most religionists claim that God�s law was abolished by Jesus Christ�s sacrifice. They think that mankind is no longer burdened by the stringent requirements of that �harsh law� that stands in their way of freedom�of �having a good time.� But the Apostle Paul wrote, in Romans 7:7, �What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.� Most churchmen have traditionally condemned the law while absolving sin. However, it is not the law that is at fault, but sin. On our own, we cannot discover God�s perfect law. God has to reveal and teach it to us.
Leaders of professing Christianity insist that God�s spiritual law�the Ten Commandments�is done away. They call it the �law of Moses,� claiming that it was abolished by Christ�s sacrifice. But they do not know the difference between the Levitical sacrificial rituals, the law of Moses and the law of God.
The Ten Commandments were not called the law of Moses, but rather the law of God. The law of Moses consisted of: (1) the civil laws�the statutes and judgments that Moses relayed to the people from God, recorded in Exodus 21-23 and the remaining books of the Law�and (2) the ritualistic laws (Greek: ergon) added later, summarized in Hebrews 9:10. These ordinances regulated the Levitical sacrifices (Lev. 1-7) and related duties. Ergon means �works,� as in the �works of the law� (Gal. 2:16). This referred to the labor involving Levitical rituals abolished by Christ�s sacrifice.
The Ten Commandments were never part of the law of Moses or the Levitical sacrificial system. The civil laws and sacrifices were based on God�s Commandments, which make up the core of God�s laws. Thus, the Ten Commandments precede and transcend every lesser law based upon them�statutes, judgments, precepts and ordinances. Most professing Christians falsely brand the Ten Commandments as the �Old Covenant.� However, the Old Covenant was based on the Ten Commandments, which preceded and transcended the Old Covenant.
Consider this analogy: The idea promoted by most professing Christians�that God�s spiritual law, the Ten Commandments, has been abolished�is as ridiculous as claiming that the physical laws of gravity and inertia are no longer enforced. Theologians cannot negate God�s law any more than scientists can void the laws of gravity and inertia.
How did the leaders of the New Testament Church view the laws of God? Paul wrote, �Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good� (Rom. 7:12). The Apostle John wrote, �For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not grievous� (I John 5:3). And Christ summed up the matter, saying, ��if you will enter into life, keep the commandments� (Matt. 19:17).
In Matthew 7:21, He also said, �Not everyone that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven�!
Christ and the apostles did not dismiss God�s law. Counterfeit Christianity took this drastic step in the first century�the world has blindly followed ever since.
Hebrews 9:15,26b-28: Christ is the mediator of a **NEW COVENANT** so 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...But now He has APPEARED once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the SACRIFICE of Himself... so Christ was SACRIFICED ONCE to take away the sins of many people, and He will *APPEAR* a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
Hebrew 10:8-10: Jesus said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"Although the law required them to be made. The He {Jesus} said. "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He {Jesus} set aside the first {Covenant} to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus ONCE FOR ALL!!
Isaiah 53:5,6: "But He was pierced for ou:rolleyes:r transgressions, He was crushed for ou:rolleyes:r iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we:rolleyes: are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all!!"
In the old covenant God's commandments were only preached to Jews but in the New Covenant Jesus commands us to preach to every nation in the world teaching them to obey *EVERYTHING* He commanded and everything would also include all of the approximately 400 NT commandments also taught in Acts to Revelation {See 2 Timothy 3-16 to 4:2.}
There were 613 OT commandments and Jesus changed many of them including all of the strict Sabbath commands and all of the commands to stone someone for sinning {Jesus says that he who is without sin should cast the first stone} Jesus also eliminated all the strict Levitical dietary laws declaring that all foods are now clean. And Jesus also commanded us not to make any vows or oaths {Matt 5:33-37}on anything Just let your Yes be yes and your no no.
Jesus also eliminated the eye for an eye laws and commanded us to always offer up the other cheek and to love {See Matt 5:38-48} our enemies. And of course Jesus eliminated all sacrifices and offerings for sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get TREASURES IN HEAVEN and **THEN** to come follow Him.
But one of the biggest changes was an addition to the OT Law love your neighbor as you love yourself which was replaced by
John 15:9-14:
Jesus says, "As the Father has loved Me , so I have loved you. Now remain in MY LOVE. **IF** you obey My commands, you will remain in MY LOVE...My command is this: **LOVE** each other AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!!! Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his live for his friends.":angel:
All of the approximately 400 NT commands differ from the OT Covenant in that they must all be kept *IN LOVE* just as Jesus loved us!!
John 14:23,24: Jesus says, "If anyone loves Me, He will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with Him. He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching." {See I John 2:3-5}
The New Covenant also promises countless unseen eternal heavenly **REWARDS** for faithful and loving service.*****
SALVATION IS A 100 % FREE GIFT AND ETERNAL*REWARDS* ARE 100% EARNED??
Ephesians 2:8,9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the **GIFT** of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!"
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see....And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He **REWARDS** those who earnestly seek Him."
Ephesians 6:7,8: "Serve wholeheartedly:rolleyes:...because you know that the Lord will *REWARD* everyone for whatever good he does!"
2 John 1:8: "Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be *REWARDED* fully!"
I Corinthians 3:6-9: Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be *REWARDED* according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers!":applause:
Daniel 12:3: "Those who impart wisdom will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever!"
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your *REWARD* in heaven!" {See Luke 6:35}
Revelation 22:12: Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My *REWARD* is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!"
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: "So we make it our goal to please Him..For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad!"
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, For the Son of Man is going to come in His **FATHER'S GLORY WITH HIS ANGELS**{See Matt 24:30-31;25:31-40}, and **THEN** He will *REWARD* each person according to what he has done,"
Jesus says in Rev 2:17; 3:4, 5, 21: �To him who overcomes...I will give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it:rolleyes:.....He will walk with Me for he is worthy... I will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.... I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem.....I will write on him my New Name... and I will give him:rolleyes: the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.�:applause::angel::rolleyes:
According to Rev 22:3 these 2 thrones will be the only thrones in the Heavenly New Jerusalem!.
And so Salvation is a 100% FREE GIFT as per Ephesians 2:8,9 and eternal *REWARDS* for God's faithful saints are 100% earned!
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for *ACTION*, and set your hope *FULLY* on the grace to be given *YOU* when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*.:applause::peace::angel:
Could you please explain your scripture passages a little clearer that you have posted as to their relationship to the article that has been posted. Thanks
*** Anything other than the 10 commandments in the OT is Law and is no longer Valid...
The New Covenant is the 10 Commandments wrapped up into 2...
1- You shall Love GOD with all your Heart, Mind and Soul...
2- You shall love your neighbor as your self...
Thread ~ Legalism In the Israel-First, Two-House Movements To A Mix of the Covanants�just below this thread somewhere was mentioned�
Someone mentioned that the Ten Commandments were not done away with. Yes, they [ were not ] done away with, but we are not saved by following them.
*** Very True we are not Saved by following them. In Keeping them we are in Obedience to the Will of the Father�as it is written�
Daniel 9:4~ �And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;�
Jesus speaking ~
Matthew 19:17~ �And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
John 14:15~ �If ye love me, keep my commandments.�
John 14:21~ �He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.�
John 15:10~ �If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.�
1 Corinthians 7:19~ �Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1 John 2:3~ �And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.�
1 John 2:4~ �He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.�
1 John 3:22~ �And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.�
1 John 3:24~ �And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.�
1 John 5:2~ �By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1 John 5:3~ �For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.�
Revelation 12:17~ �And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.�
Revelation 14:12~ �Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.�
Richard said: ET My Bible study clearly shows the difference between the Old and New Covenants {Law vs Grace} which of course disagrees with your views.
Ella said: Richard, please explain to me my views between the Old and New Testament teaching on Law & grace... I would like to know what my views are as per you, since I have never discussed with you my views of the Law and Grace of the Old and New Testament... help a sista out and tell me what my views are, so we may discuss them.
You had posted many scriptures and I was just wondering if you would explain those passages as to how they fit and or related to the article that is posted on Law and Grace. I'm sure others who may not know or understand would also like to know and understand the passages you have posted... thanks.
Well if you understood the New Covenant of Grace you would have understood my Bible Study I showed how the New Covenant differs completely from the Old Covenant.
Hebrews 9:15,26b-28: Christ is the mediator of a **NEW COVENANT** so 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...But now He has APPEARED once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the SACRIFICE of Himself... so Christ was SACRIFICED ONCE to take away the sins of many people, and He will *APPEAR* a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
Hebrew 10:8-10: Jesus said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"Although the law required them to be made. The He {Jesus} said. "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He {Jesus} set aside the first {Covenant} to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus ONCE FOR ALL!!
Isaiah 53:5,6: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for ouriniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all!!"
In the old covenant God's commandments were only preached to Jews but in the New Covenant Jesus commands us to preach to every nation in the world teaching them to obey *EVERYTHING* He commanded and everything would also include all of the approximately 400 NT commandments also taught in Acts to Revelation {See 2 Timothy 3-16 to 4:2.}
There were 613 OT commandments and Jesus changed many of them including all of the strict Sabbath commands and all of the commands to stone someone for sinning {Jesus says that he who is without sin should cast the first stone} Jesus also eliminated all the strict Levitical dietary laws declaring that all foods are now clean. And Jesus also commanded us not to make any vows or oaths {Matt 5:33-37}on anything Just let your Yes be yes and your no no.
Jesus also eliminated the eye for an eye laws and commanded us to always offer up the other cheek and to love {See Matt 5:38-48} our enemies. And of course Jesus eliminated all sacrifices and offerings for sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get TREASURES IN HEAVEN and **THEN** to come follow Him.
In the Old Covenant there was a big emphasis on eating your pie now rather than having your pie in the sky by and by. The New Covenant is the very opposite of the Prosperity Gospel and only promises eternal heavenly rewards for faithful and loving service.
But one of the biggest changes was an addition to the OT Law love your neighbor as you love yourself which was replaced by
John 15:9-14:
Jesus says, "As the Father has loved Me , so I have loved you. Now remain in MY LOVE. **IF** you obey My commands, you will remain in MY LOVE...My command is this: **LOVE** each other AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!!! Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his live for his friends."
All of the approximately 400 NT commands differ from the OT Covenant in that they must all be kept *IN LOVE* just as Jesus loved us!!
John 14:23,24: Jesus says, "If anyone loves Me, He will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with Him. He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching." {See I John 2:3-5}
The New Covenant also promises countless unseen eternal heavenly **REWARDS** for faithful and loving service.*****
SALVATION IS A 100 % FREE GIFT AND ETERNAL*REWARDS* ARE 100% EARNED??
And then I quote 10 Scripture on eternal heavenly rewards to be received only when Jesus comes again.
Quoting scripture is not a Bible Study. If you're going to quote sripture you should at least help people to understand, and since I asked of you to explain what these passage mean, this is what you should do.
Jesus nor Paul nor any of the apostle quoted not one word from the Old Testament without explaining to the hearer what it all meant.
So what about those viewing this thread who DO NOT know scriptures or how all these scriptures relate to law and grace?Or how are those who are babes in Christ trying and seeking to learn God's word to learn? If you're doing Bible Study what are they studying? How to quotes scripture from the Bible without any explanation , understanding or insight of what the passages mean?
Man, Get a grip and stop worrying about what you think I should or should not be doing in the word of God. Maybe this is your distracting...keep focus on what God has called you do in the teaching and spreading of His word, and get your eyes off of me and what I;m doing...:rolleyes:
You quoted all those passages and I know the word, but I don't have a clue as to how you are relating them to the article that is posted, in response to agreement or disagreement, or maybe to what the author is saying..
So if you quote passages surely you should be able to break them down so that others can understand and gain spiriutal insight and knowledge otherwise, you are only quoting a whole page of scriptures and no one knows what in the world they are all about as they relate to the topic. Explaining scrioture, That would seem to be the purpose of what Bible Study is all about... don'tcha think?.
