In my conversations with folks in life on and off social media, folks seem to be divided into “grace believers” and “law believers”.
Indeed what both need is to ensure they have the proper biblical balance between grace and law.
As for me I am both a believer in grace and a believer in law just as Jesus, Peter, and Paul. For all three preached and taught both grace and law to both Jew and Gentile for even Jesus words apply to both Jew and Gentile.
Jesus demonstrates essentiality of both grace and law in the life of the believer in his straightforward simple clear and ought to be compelling words even today in every Christian.
Jesus does so in John 8:11 when he says to the woman caught in the act of adultery, neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.
From that along with other New Covenant scriptures I ascertain that we are not saved by the deeds or works of the law for that is by grace through faith of and in Christ Jesus.
Yet the saved labor to surrender to the indwelling Holy Spirit to live an obedient repentant life of faith.
Ephesians 6:2-3 which is a New Testament scripture that quotes from an Old Testament scripture (Exodus 20:12) declares there is law for the Christian just as there is grace, with grace having the greater weight but law not being weightless.
It is all about the attitude we bring to both grace and law!
No disciple of Christ should ever say the law is done away with for all purposes.
The scripture says in Hebrews 8:13: In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
And Ephesians 2:13-16 says: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”
The scripture shows the vanishing has begun but is not complete. For indeed some of the law is done away with but not all of it. Some of it is done away with in that Christ fulfilled some of it. Other of it is done away with in that it is changed such as the dietary laws per Acts 10:1-8, 28; the meat, drink, sabbath, feasts, and new moon laws per Colossians 2:14-17; and the purification laws per Matthew 15:10-20.
Romans 3:27-31 speaks of the insufficiency of the law for salvation; yet, the necessity of the law for good works (Matthew 5:16).
Indeed, grace through faith has the greater weight but law is not weightless.
Hebrews 6:8-12 speaks of good works accompanying salvation.
When one thinks of grace and law, the important issue of judgement sometimes comes to mind.
As to what God will precisely do on judgment day, I don’t know. By faith, hope, and love I look to Jesus as sufficient covering for me and others so as for us to arrive in Heaven with eternal life to lovingly worship our Creator God in joy and peace for all eternity.
In the below I will use the word labor. Why do I use the word labor? I do so because Jesus began his public ministry preaching “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” according to Matthew 4:17. I do so because in 2 Corinthians 5:9 the “apostle of grace” Paul says “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
I live and labor not forgetting God’s love, grace, and mercy as demonstrated in the prophetic virgin birth, perfect sinless life, crucifixion unto actual physical death on the cross, shedding of blood for remission of sins, burial, resurrection on the third day, presentation, and ascension of Jesus Christ, who will one day return to judge the world.
I live and labor knowing that I am not good enough to save myself and therefore I need a Saviour. Therefore, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. For as Romans 7:24-25 says: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” And as Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” So then I look to and find comfort in scriptures such as Ephesians 2:8-10 which says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
I live and labor not forgetting 1 John 1:9 which presumes godly sorrow with an attitude of repentance in saying: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I live and labor being mindful of Romans 6:14-15 which says: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
I live and labor not forgetting Jesus words in John 10:27-29 where he says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Yet the Holy Spirit sent by the Father and the Son says in Hebrews 10:26-31 through the pen of Paul: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” So is there a point in which I could walk away from Christ? I live and labor never to take God’s grace for granted so as to walk away from Christ.
I live and labor not forgetting 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 which says: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
I live and labor not forgetting 1 Corinthians 3:8 which says: “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” And 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 which says: “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” And in giving an even sterner warning 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
By faith, hope, and love for others I live and labor looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of my faith, looking for him to say well done thy good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:40) rather than depart from me you worker of iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).
Praise God John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And in John 14:15 Jesus says: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
