Today we continue our series entitled, “Grace and Truth” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Our main scriptures are John 1:14 & 17. Let’s look at them again.
(John 1:14 NIV)
The Word 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 1:17 NIV)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The way John wrote these scriptures, it lends itself well to some sort of compare-and-contrast. So let’s do that.
In his letter to the believers in Galatia, the Apostle Paul provided sound teaching on the differences between The Law of Moses and the Grace provided through Jesus. Paul made it clear that The Law brings a curse to all who rely on it to make them right with God. Because no human could fully comply with it.
Paul said, “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.” (Gal 3:11). I have made this point in the past, but I will need to continue to drive it home so we can get it. No person can be made right with God by keeping a set of rules. And those who live by The Law, focused on keeping a set of rules, live very different lives from those who live by faith. Paul says, “The 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 3:12). I will highlight some of the differences today in my points.
While the Law clearly brings a curse on all who break it. Paul made this plain. He said, “The law says we are under a curse for not always obeying it. But Christ took away that curse. He changed places with us and put himself under that curse. The Scriptures say, “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under a curse.” Because of what Jesus Christ did, the blessing God promised to Abraham was given to all people. Christ died so that by believing in him we could have the Spirit that God promised.” (Gal 3:13,14).
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. If you rely on the Law to make you right with God, the Bible says you are living under a curse.
2. If you take a portion of the Law, even just a tiny portion, the Bible says you must then attempt to live in accordance with the entire Law and you will be living under a curse because you won’t be able to do it (see Deuteronomy 27:26, James 2:10, Galatians 3:10).
3. The Bible says that no one who relies on the Law is justified before God (Galatians 3:11). So, if you attempt to live under the Law, just know what you are getting yourself into.
4. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He traded places with us! So why would you willingly go back into something Christ redeemed you from? Embrace God’s grace and walk in the freedom wherewith Christ Jesus has made you free.
5. Those who live by the Law, focused on keeping a set of rules, live very different lives from those who live by faith. One group lives by external rules. The other lives by the internal dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
6. The Law-minded believer is attempting to please God with his performance, keeping a set of external rules, focused on what he CANNOT do. The 10 commandments are too perfect. No human (outside of Jesus) has ever fulfilled The Law.
7. The Grace-minded believer is seeking to live a life of faith, having been forgiven of the rules he/she has broken, he/she accepts forgiveness and seeks to be led of the Holy Spirit to perform the will of God in the earth. This believer knows the only thing the Father is requiring of them is to believe.
8. Under the Law we were unquestionably condemned. But Jesus gave up His righteousness in order to take on our condemnation. In turn, the Father gives us the righteousness of Jesus when we accept Him as Lord and give Him our sin.
9. Through Jesus, the Blessing of Abraham is now imputed on non-Jewish Christians. So we have the Blessing of Jesus and the Blessing of Abraham. We get to enjoy spiritual blessings (Jesus) and natural blessings (Abraham). We get to make it to heaven and still ENJOY THE RIDE on the way!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, the more I understand the curse associated with the Law, the more I want to say away from it. Christ redeemed me from the curse of the Law, becoming a curse for me. Jesus paid a price I could not pay, for a debt He did not owe. Jesus traded places with me! I now get to accept His righteousness and walk in the newness of the life He died to give me. While some focus on an external set of rules in order to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight, I take a different approach. I take the approach I believe Your Word teaches. I accept forgiveness of sin by Grace. And now, by faith, I seek to be led of Your Holy Spirit, who lives in me, in order to accomplish all You want to do in my life. I now know that You are not looking for me to earn Your blessing or to deserve Your goodness. You are not asking me to be perfect, but You do require me to believe. I declare that I have the faith to believe everything You want to do in my life. No matter how big the assignment may seem in my eyes, I believe and receive it by faith. Not because I am so good, but because You are so good! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
