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This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by starting something new. This past weekend we celebrated the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ. For the next few days we will discuss the purpose of the Cross; looking at the Cross through the lens of grace.
Jesus died on the Cross to set us free from the demands of the Law of Moses. I taught on the Law of Moses earlier in this series and we have to go back to the Law to understand God’s grace and what Jesus’ death truly affords us. Instead of being slaves or servants, because of Jesus’s death on the Cross, you and I now have the privilege of being sons and daughters of God; and instead of living by an external set of rules, we have the benefit of being led (internally) by the Holy Spirit. As Born-Again believers we are now heirs of the world, and we are to rule and reign on this earth as joint heirs with Christ Jesus. There are many Christians today who are still trying to fulfill the Law, which we cannot fulfill, because they do not understand the fact that Jesus fulfilled it for us. When we try to fulfill the Law Jesus set us free from, it is actually a dishonor to Him, because we are failing to accept and embrace the finished work of Jesus on the Cross.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. No one could ever be made right by attempting to keep the Law. Paul said, “What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” (Gal 3:8-12).
2. The purpose of the Law was not to make you right, but rather to show you how wrong you are. Paul said, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are” (Rom 3:20).
3. When the Law was given, people became more conscious of sin. The Law was holy and perfect because it came from God. However, people could not keep it, and that is why we need God’s grace. Paul explained, “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant” (Rom 5:20).
4. Jesus came to fulfill the Law we could never fulfill. Jesus said, “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” (Mat 5:17).
5. Jesus freed you from the bondage of the Law. You are no longer under the law, but under grace (Rom 6:14). God does not require you to live every second of your life attempting to comply with an external set of rules, which no human could ever fully comply with. God now, through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, enables and expects you to be led of His Spirit; living your life from the inside out, under the freedom given to you by grace.
We will stop here for today. But we have much more to study on this topic.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your overwhelming goodness, kindness, mercy and grace towards me. You gave the Israelites a perfect Law and it is so perfect You knew no human could ever fulfill it. The only human who ever fulfilled the Law of Moses was the only perfect human to ever live, and that human was Jesus, Your Son and my Savior. Jesus knew I could not fulfill the Law of Moses, so He fulfilled it for me. Jesus knew I could never be perfect, so He was perfect for me. Jesus knew I could never be righteous, so He was righteous for me. Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the Law and His accomplishment, His fulfillment, His perfection, and His righteousness were all transferred to me when I PUT ON Christ by accepting Jesus as my Lord. I accept and embrace Jesus. And with Jesus, I also embrace the finished work He accomplish on Calvary’s cross. Jesus paid it all, and He paid it for me. Not because I earned it, not because I deserve it, and not because I could ever be good enough. Jesus died for me by grace, I accept His finished work by grace, and I now live my life my this very same grace. Thank You Father for being SO GOOD to me. I will live my life in honor of Jesus death, because He saved me by grace. And it is by this very same grace that I am determined to fulfill my own assignment in life. Once again, not because I will deserve it, but only because of Your grace. Your graced saved me. Now Your grace empowers me. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
