This past Sunday was Resurrection Sunday (or Easter Sunday). All week long I have been teaching you about the importance of the cross. Today’s message will flow in that same vein. We will look at the difference between living under The Law of Moses and living under the grace Jesus ushered us into.
In John 1 the Apostle said, “The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Notice how John said that Jesus was full of grace and truth. A few verses later John said, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John makes a distinction between The Law, which was given through Moses, and grace and truth, which came through Jesus.
In Romans Paul said, “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” (Romans 6:14). Here we have a different Apostle making a different differentiation between The Law and God’s grace. As we study the differences between the covenant given through Moses (the Law) and the covenant given through Jesus (Grace) we will find clear differences between the covenants. The point is that God expects us to act accordingly. If God told us in His Word that we are no longer under The Law, but rather under grace, it is important for us to understand the differences and what it means to us as we seek to live lives that are pleasing in His sight.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. We are living under a different set of rules. It’s not that God changed, but in many respects, the rules have changed. Under the Old Covenant the Lord had a certain agreement and He operated in accordance with that agreement. Under this New Covenant we have a new agreement and the Lord is operating in accordance with this new agreement. If you don’t understand the differences between the two agreements, you might read something about God and how He operated under the Old Covenant and then make the mistake of thinking He will deal with you the same way today, even though you are under a New Covenant. You will never maximize something you do not understand. If you mix the two covenants you will get confused and it will most likely hinder your ability to receive from God.
2. The Old Covenant of The Law focused on man and it served its purpose. The Covenant of The Law put emphasis on man and what man could do for God. It was all about human performance. It caused man to strive to please God with his effort. This created an environment where everyone was attempting to do everything right and unfortunately, the environment also lent itself to people who were very judgmental. People were so focused on their performance that they looked down on those who were not performing on their level. These are the type of religious people Jesus ran into all the time, while He was in the earth. Jesus had run-ins with them, because they were condemning people for their sin. Jesus turned the tables on them and said, “If you are without sin, then cast the first stone.” Of course, no one is without sin, so the judgmental religious people would have to leave and learn to leave people alone. The bottom line is that the Old Covenant was not designed to make you right. Rules can’t make you right. What it was designed to do was to prove to you that you are wrong. Man can’t get saved until he acknowledges the fact that he is lost. Before The Law was given, man did not have any rules to break. Therefore, he could not sin. Once The Law was given, man had rules, and once he had rules, he was quick to break them. By focusing on what man could do for God, under the Law, man was quick to see himself as inadequate. That is why The Law made provisions for sacrifices. Man knew he could not fulfill the Law, so he gave sacrifices. The blood of innocent animals was shed for the actions of guilty man… until Jesus came!
3. The New Covenant of Grace focuses on God. While the Old Covenant of The Law had the spotlight on man, and what man could do for God (making it clear that he was and is flawed), the New Covenant of Grace puts the spotlight on God. The Law was about man attempting to work for God. Under Grace we get to receive all God has already done for us. Grace is not about highlighting the fact that you are flawed and could never keep The Law. Under grace you get to acknowledge the fact that you could never keep The Law and you embrace the grace Jesus died to give you. Now your life is not about you and what you can do for God. Your life is about about God and what He has already done for you. What He called you to do. What He has equipped, enabled and empowered you to do. What God has purposed you to do. Under grace you get to live the life God planned for you, from the foundations of the world, without being held back by the fact that you are not perfect. You know you are not perfect, and you don’t allow satan to cause you to live in condemnation because of your imperfections. You get to live your life as a forgiven child of God. You walk free from the power of sin and free from the bondage of the fear of death. You simply enter every day focused on doing whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to do that day. This is how Jesus lived and this is the way we are supposed to live. This is how we get to experience heaven on earth. This is how we live “As Jesus is, in this world!”
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die in my place. Jesus delivered me from the bondage of The Law. The Law was perfect, but I am far from perfect. Under the Law I would quickly be condemned. Thankfully, under Grace I have been forgiven. Not because I am so good, but because You are! The Law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus. Under the Law the emphasis was on man and what we could do for You. Now, under Grace, the emphasis is on You and what You have already done for us. I have accepted Jesus as my Lord, I have been forgiven of all my sin — past, present and future — and I now live my life focused on You and what You planned for me before the world began. I don’t pursue Your purpose because I am perfect. I pursue Your purpose because I am forgiven. Christ redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for me. I freely and thankfully accept the forgiveness, love and purpose You freely give me by Grace! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
