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Saturday, July 22, 2023

The Christian life (continued)

The thin line which exist between law and grace is that straight, narrow and difficult way that can be understood by understanding the apostle Pauls statement which states; For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; for they being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believe” (Romans 10:2-4).

Notice, the apostle Paul did not say that Christ is the end of the law of righteousness, what he said is, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, signifying that He did not do away with the law of righteousness, but did away with the law as the means of attaining righteousness.

The apostle Paul again addressed this issue by saying; For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. And in the same breath he says; What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

He asked again, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin (transgressing the laws of God) that grace may abound? Certainly not!  How shall we who have died to sin live any longer in it? He also said; 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 6:14-15; 1, 2, 7).

This law is found inscribed in the Lords everlasting covenant - the Ten Commandments. The thin line that exists between law and grace is simply this;  It is utter folly to think and believe that there is no law, it is utter folly also to believe that there is no sin, because technically, and logically, sin is not imputed when there is no law. So the crux of the matter is this, the law though it exists and is in force, because it is spiritual, and eternal, it however, cannot save man from sin, it cannot produce the righteousness of God, and so Christ became the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For it is only through His sacrifice man is redeemed and saved from sin.

Even having faith in Christ does not annul or make null and void the law because the apostle Paul again says; Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law (Romans 3:31).

The conclusion of the matter is, to the legalists although we agree that the law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good, when obeyed, it should not be under command, coercion or compulsion, but rather obeyed through faith and love, for it expresses our reverence, gratitude, and appreciation to the Lord. And whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

And to the liberals, it is ignorance and stupidity on your part to believe that our Loving God, our heavenly Father would allow every man to walk after the imagination of his/her own sinful heart, does what seems right in their own eyes and not directing them in the way that they should go, so that all may be well with them. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

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