The LAW vs. GRACE and TRUTH
We continue our in-depth study of John chapter 1. Last week, we looked at the LAW vs. GRACE and TRUTH. “16 [g]And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” John 1:16-17. So what’s the big deal about the LAW vs. GRACE and TRUTH?
We often have this misconception that the Old Testament is all about the Law and the New Testament is all about Grace. Not quite true. GRACE has always been and likewise the TRUTH even before creation. Jesus Christ is the GRACE and the TRUTH. He has always been because He is the beginning and the end, the creator of all things. Now, Jesus (who is God) has showed up in person in the form of a human to give us HIMSELF – GRACE and TRUTH.
The LAW was given by God through Moses to show us how much we desperately need GRACE and TRUTH. The LAW reveals our heart, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. In GRACE (JESUS), God gives us what we don’t deserve. We deserve everlasting death, separated from God in hell because we have all sinned and come short of reflecting God’s image of His glory.
Abraham, came before Moses and the LAW, but it is only by GRACE that Abraham is counted righteous through Faith, belief and trust in God. We can never relate and be counted as God’s children by the LAW which will never make us righteous.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe.
For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26.
Have you received this GRACE and TRUTH? Have you believed and trusted in Jesus as God, the Son who has fulfilled all the requirements of the LAW on our Behalf? Oh yes, everyone who disobeys the LAW must die and be punished but thanks be to God that in Christ we are counted righteous and fulling the LAW of God. That is the GOOD NEWS – The GOSPEL. Let’s understand it, receive it and tell the whole world the GOOD NEWS of salvation.
There is freedom in GRACE and TRUTH. You have no chance under the LAW. Lest you think we can do whatever we like, not really. Christ’s Spirit is in us to obey Him with love and joy. Remember, according to Jesus, the LAW is summed up in LOVE GOD and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.
Love your neighbor today by giving them the HOPE of Christ in you. Share the GOSPEL.
May God’s GRACE and TRUTH abound in us and for us today. Amen.
We often have this misconception that the Old Testament is all about the Law and the New Testament is all about Grace. Not quite true. GRACE has always been and likewise the TRUTH even before creation. Jesus Christ is the GRACE and the TRUTH. He has always been because He is the beginning and the end, the creator of all things. Now, Jesus (who is God) has showed up in person in the form of a human to give us HIMSELF – GRACE and TRUTH.
The LAW was given by God through Moses to show us how much we desperately need GRACE and TRUTH. The LAW reveals our heart, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. In GRACE (JESUS), God gives us what we don’t deserve. We deserve everlasting death, separated from God in hell because we have all sinned and come short of reflecting God’s image of His glory.
Abraham, came before Moses and the LAW, but it is only by GRACE that Abraham is counted righteous through Faith, belief and trust in God. We can never relate and be counted as God’s children by the LAW which will never make us righteous.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe.
For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26.
Have you received this GRACE and TRUTH? Have you believed and trusted in Jesus as God, the Son who has fulfilled all the requirements of the LAW on our Behalf? Oh yes, everyone who disobeys the LAW must die and be punished but thanks be to God that in Christ we are counted righteous and fulling the LAW of God. That is the GOOD NEWS – The GOSPEL. Let’s understand it, receive it and tell the whole world the GOOD NEWS of salvation.
There is freedom in GRACE and TRUTH. You have no chance under the LAW. Lest you think we can do whatever we like, not really. Christ’s Spirit is in us to obey Him with love and joy. Remember, according to Jesus, the LAW is summed up in LOVE GOD and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.
Love your neighbor today by giving them the HOPE of Christ in you. Share the GOSPEL.
May God’s GRACE and TRUTH abound in us and for us today. Amen.
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