God’s people have a zeal for Him, but unfortunately, they are being destroyed and rip apart because of lack of knowledge. Legalism and liberalism are causing a huge gulf between the body of Christ.
The issue of Law and grace which has become the root causes of legalism and liberalism, should never have existed in the first place, because they are correlated to each other, they simply do not operate simultaneously from the same end, as it is written; “ If salvation [or whatever else for that matter] is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is of works, it would no longer be of grace; otherwise work would no longer be work” ( Romans 11:6).
The issue of Law and grace which has become the root causes of legalism and liberalism, should never have existed in the first place, because they are correlated to each other, they simply do not operate simultaneously from the same end, as it is written; “ If salvation [or whatever else for that matter] is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is of works, it would no longer be of grace; otherwise work would no longer be work” ( Romans 11:6).
Therefore, although grace and law do not function simultaneously from the same end, they are not antagonistic to each other, they rather compliment each other, as illustrated by the apostle Paul who wrote; “For sin shall have no dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not“ (Romans 6:14-15)!
Both law and grace have their rightful place in our lives. Grace did not replace the law and made it redundant , they are two close buddies, each having their specific functions. The function of grace for example, is to provide and make available to man what he could in no way achieved on his own merit; such as, eternal life, salvation, spiritual gifts, liberty, forgiveness of sins, consolation, and immortality. All these were imputed to man as God’s gift to man.
But having received all these things as a gift by grace, it does not make the law of God null and void, because the law, like grace has its specific function. The function of the law is to teach us the way of life that pleases God, and points out to us what sin is. The apostle Paul made this illustration by saying; “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, you shall not covet” (Romans 7:7).
The apostle Paul said again; “What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law” (Galatians 3: 19-21).
The apostle James also gave an insight on the purpose of the law, by saying; “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).
Grace did not make obsolete the law of God, for Jesus Himself said quite explicitly; “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass away from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18).
The law with the inclusion of the Sabbath/s were ordained to show man how to live, and it is a sign between God and His people, so that they may know that He is the Lord their God, and the One who makes them holy. It has not been made redundant, because grace demonstrates and expresses God’s love towards man, and the law demonstrates, and expresses man’s love and appreciation towards God.
Grace and law operates simultaneously from opposite ends in a reciprocal mode. Grace provides the downward thrust lavishing and bestowing God’s love upon man. “For when the kindness and the love of God toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Grace therefore demonstrates to us God‘s own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, doing what we could not have done on our own merit (Titus 3:4-7).
The law on the other hand reciprocates by providing the upward thrust, expressing our sincere love, glory and honor to God, in appreciation to what He has done for us in the way that pleases Him, as stipulated in His invitation. For thus says the Lord; “If you love Me keep the commandments.” And the apostle John wrote; “And by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says “I know Him“ but disobeys His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him” (John 14:14; 1 John 2:3-5).
The correlation between grace and law is comparable to the Sovereign King hosting a lavish banquet for his son. At this banquet which is figurative to God’s grace, the king enjoys the companionship and fellowship of his subjects, and bestows upon them rewards, gifts and blessings.
Attendance to this banquet is by invitation only. The Invitation is figurative to the law on which is inscribed the details and information regarding protocol, such as date, time, location, dress code, and any other pertinent information.
Attendance to this banquet is by invitation only. The Invitation is figurative to the law on which is inscribed the details and information regarding protocol, such as date, time, location, dress code, and any other pertinent information.
Everyone who receives the invitation is at liberty to attend or not to attend, there is no compulsion as illustrated by the parable of the wedding feast which states; “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, ’Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ But they paid no attention and went off - one to his field, another to his business” (Matthew 22: 2-5).
Since one is at liberty to attend, or not to attend the banquet, absenteeism is not regarded as sin, for sin is not imputed where there is no law. However, absenteeism is a displeasure to both the king and his son, and demonstrates dishonor and ingratitude to the sovereignty of the king, and the sacrificial love of the son. It demonstrates a lack of respect, a lack of appreciation, and dis-loyalty to the king and his son's sovereignty, by giving something or someone else priority over them.
This can also be a provocation to jealousy, and a guilt of idolatry; since the King Who is the sovereign Lord says; “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourselves a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments (honor my invitations).
One can add further insult to injury by dishonoring, and out-rightly rejecting the day and occasion stipulated in the king’s invitation, and chose to designate another day not stipulated in the king’s invitation, to supposedly honor and glorify Him, and to this kind of insult the king says; “When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you, this trampling of My courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense [prayer] is an abomination to Me. The New moon and Sabbaths and the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.’
“Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they have become a burden to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).
“Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they have become a burden to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).
Grace and law are not antagonistic to each other, they function harmoniously together, each operating from it’s designated end. Grace bestowing upon us the love and the blessings of God, and law offers to God our love with grateful thanks, in appreciation of His amazing grace.
Copyright © 2014 by Lucius Joseph
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2014 by Lucius Joseph
All rights reserved
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