GRACE AND THE LAW

PART TWO: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

Immutable and unchangeable as God Himself. 

Written in stone: for all eternity. 

Placed inside of the Ark, because these 10 represent man=s part in the covenant with God.

 

AT THE VERY END OF THIS AGE

 

Revelation 11:19 AThen the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.  And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.@

 

The seventh angel sounded (Rev. 11:15).  This is the very end of the age.  AThe kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His Christ.@  And the Ark of the Covenant is seen in His temple in heaven.  The only Acovenant@ placed inside the Aark@ was the Ten Commandments - written in stone by God Himself (Deut. 4:13, Deut. 10:5).  Why would attention be directed to this Ten Commandment Covenant, is it became obsolete when Jesus died.  Is it possible that this law of God is still very much in force - today? 

 

 

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE MT. SINAI

 

The following examples show that the principles/ and behaviors commanded by God were understood long before they were spoken from the mountain. 

 

 

THE MORAL LAW WAS IN FORCE LONG BEFORE MT. SINAI.

 THIS LAW IS AS OLD AS GOD HIMSELF.

 

ROMANS 5:15   ABefore the law (was given from Mt Sinai), sin was in the world.@

 

1 JOHN 3:4  AFor sin is the transgression of the law.@ 

 

Certainly, Lucifer sinned, when he rebelled against God in heaven.

That means there was a LAW in heaven.

 

HOSEA 6:7, JOB 31:33   Adam sinned.

 

GENESIS 6:5   The people of Noah=s day sinned.

 

GENESIS 18:20   Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their lawlessness (sin). 

 

These people lived long before Mt. Sinai.

 

GENESIS 26:5    Abraham kept Gods Acommandments,@ statutes and Alaws.@

 

EXODUS 16:25   To the children of Israel, before Mt. Sinai, God said

                                   AHow long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?@                 

 

                                  WERE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS GIVEN ONLY FOR THE JEWS?

 

LEVITICUS 24:22   AThere shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger, as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God.@

 

NUMBERS 9:14    AYou shall have one statute, both for the alien and for the native of the land.@ 

 

ISAIAH 56:6‑8  AAlso the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to Him, and love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, everyone who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant; Even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My alter; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.@

Exodus 12:19;  Exodus 12:48; Exodus 12:49; Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:24; Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 17:10-12;  Leviticus 18:26; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 9:14; Leviticus 17:8; Numbers 15:14-16; 1Kings 8:41-43; 2Chronicles 6:32;  Isaiah 56:6-8.  These passages speak of non-Israelites participation in worship and their duty towards the law.

 

      The passage says, Aeveryone@ Awho holds fast My covenant.@  Gentiles (non-Jews) who joined themselves to Israel were included in the Old Covenant.

 

To whom was God speaking when He gave His messages through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, David, and Solomon. To the Hebrews, yes.  Every covenant promise was made to Israelites.  Yet, Christians today claim these promises and lessons as their own. 

 

To whom did Christ address almost all that He said, including the sermon on the mount?  To Jews.  Christ said ASalvation is of the Jews@ ( John 4:22).  Paul said of the Jews: AThey are Israelites, and to them belong the son ship, the glory, the covenants (plural), the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;@ (Romans 9:4 RSV). Does this verse mean that non-Israelites are precluded from the New Covenant? Yes it does!!! 

 

But remember - we who are not biological descendants of Jacob, become Achildren of Abraham,@ Israelites by adoption, and part of the greater congregation of Israel, by Afaith@ in Jesus (Gal. 3:6‑7). We are Agrafted@ in to the tree which has the faith of Abraham as it=s root (Romans 11).   And remember that not every one who claims to be a Jew, is a Jew in the sight of God (Rev. 3:9, John 8:39, Rom. 2:28-29, Gal. 3:6-7).

 

                THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY THEY OBEY THE LAW OF CHRIST (GAL 6:2),

                                          BUT NOT THE COMMANDMENTS OF MOSES.

 

These people are surprised to learn that it was Christ

                                                      who spoke the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai

(1 Cor. 10:1‑4, Nehemiah 9:9‑14, James 4:12, John 5:22, Acts 10:42, 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb 12:26).

 

John 1:17   AFor the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.@  

 

The Abut@ was supplied by the King James translators.  It is not in the original.  Read some of the newer translations.  The law was given to Moses by the preincarnate Christ. He has been the Amediator@ from the moment of Adam=s sin. The law IS full of grace and truth. Every command, when accepted in faith, is a promise of power to obey.

 

When Christ gave His commandments in the New Testament, to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, He was quoting from the Old Testament (Matt. 22:36‑40,  Mark 12:28‑34, Deut. 6:5,  Deut. 10:12, Deut. 30:6,  Lev. 19:18).  

 

Commandments 1‑4:  Show our love for God       

Commandments 5‑10:  Show our love for fellow man

The answers which Christ gave to Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness,

were all quoted from the Old Testament.  

 

The words of the Beatitudes and The Lord=s Prayer (MATT 6:9-13),

all were taken from the Old Testament.  

I Chron. 29:10,11; Lamentations 3:30,

Deut. 15:7,8; Proverbs 30:8, Proverbs 24:17; Deut. 14:1;

Proverbs 25:21; Isaiah 66:1; Job 31:29; Psalm 37:11; Exodus 23:4,5; Isaiah 50:6

 

There was nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments. They had been covered with a clutter of tradition.  Christ came to clarify the Law and to set it free from tradition. He came to Amagnify the Law and make it honorable@ (Isaiah 42:21).

 

Christ taught nothing new. He clarified the law of love which was as old as God Himself.  

 

GOD=S LAW AND CHRIST=S LAW ARE THE SAME.  

 

Christ said, AI and my Father are one.@  They are one in purpose and thought.

 

PSALM 40:8  AI delight to do thy will, O my God: yes, thy law is within my heart@  (Rom 7:22).

 

It is HIS will that we keep HIS law.

   

LOVE AND THE LAW ARE THE SAME.

 

2 JOHN 6   AAnd this is love, that we keep His commandments.@  

 

ROMANS 13:10   Atherefore, love is the fulfilling of the Law.@

 

THE LAW IS A REVELATION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD!

 

The same words which are used to describe God, are used to describe God=s LAW. 

 

TRUTH (Isaiah 26:12,  Psalm 119:142) -- GOOD (Romans 7:16) --- SPIRITUAL (Romans 7:14)

LOVE (1John 4:8, 1John 4:16, Romans 13:10) ---- GOSPEL (2Thessalonians 1:7-9)

HOLY (Romans 7:12) ----JUST (Romans 7:12).

 

The greatest revelation of God=s character was the life of Christ,

who kept the Law of God perfectly. 

 

 

THE LAW IS FOREVER, JUST AS GOD IS FOREVER.

 

ISAIAH 51:6‑7  AFor the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, ... but My salvation (grace) will be forever, and My righteousness (law) will not be abolished.@

 

LUKE 16:17  AIt is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the LAW to fail.@

 

ECCLESIASTES 3:14   AI know that whatever God does, it shall be forever.

                                                 Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it.@

WHAT WAS CHRIST=S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE MORAL LAW?

 

MATTHEW 19:17  A...If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.@

 

MATTHEW 7:23   ADepart from me you who practice lawlessness!@

 

JOHN 15:10  AIf ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father=s commandments, and abide in His love.@  

 

If the Father and the Son are Aone@

then how can the commandments of the Son be different from the commandments of the Father? 

 

FAR FROM THROWING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AWAY,

GOD=S GRACE ENABLES US TO KEEP THEM MORE PERFECTLY SO THAT THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW MAY THEN BE FULFILLED IN US.

 

ROMANS 6:15  AWhat then?  Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? 

          God forbid!@

 

ROMANS 3:31  ADo we then make void the law through faith? 

          God forbid: yea, we establish the law.@

 

THE SPIRITUAL MIND IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD.

 

ROMANS 8:6-7 AThe mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.@ NIV

 

The natural human mind, without the Spirit of God is selfish (sinful or carnal).  It cannot submit to the law of God.  This is why it means death to be controlled by the sinful mind. 

 

To be controlled by the Spirit of God on the other hand, is to partake of the divine nature, which is life.  God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying out, AAbba! Father!@ (Gal. 4:6).  The mind indwelt by the Spirit of Christ reaches out towards God.  This mind submits to the law of God, just as Christ submitted to His Father=s will (John 15:10).  This mind says, AOh how I love Thy law@ (Ps. 119:97).  

The law has not be changed.  The believer is changed and is brought into harmony with the law. 

DO I PAY A PENALTY WHEN I BREAK GOD=S LAW,

EVEN IF CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN ME?

Yes, I pay a penalty.  (Gal. 6:7).

ADo not be deceived.  God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.@

My relationships in this world, my health, perhaps my finances may suffer.  God does not change the law of cause and effect. It is the Asecond death@ penalty at the final end of the wicked - which sentence is commuted.

 

                                              THE CURSE OF THE LAW

 

GALATIANS 3:10  AFor as man as are of the works of the law [are trying to earn salvation by their own good works] are under the curse: for it is written, >Cursed is every one who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.=@

GALATIANS 3:13  Christ Aredeemed us from the curse of the law.@

 

The text does not say that Christ redeemed us Afrom the law.@  We are redeemed from the curse-- which is eternal death.  The law is not the curse.  The curse is that which results from breaking the law.  God said, AIf you sin - you will die@ (Gen 2:17).

 

The moral law pronounces a blessing upon those who abide within its limits, and a curse upon those who violate its principles. Upon those who have transgressed, the law pronounces a curse - AYou will die@ (James 1:15).  Christ has set us free from this curse.

 

                        AFREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH@  ROMANS 8:2

 

ROMANS 7:16,23  Paul said, AI consent unto the law that it is good.@  ABut I see ANOTHER LAW  at work    in my members.@  This other law, is the Alaw of sin and death,@ (also called Athe curse of the law@) In fact Paul says, AWho shall deliver me from this body of death@ (Romans 7:24).  He said this because it is natural for human beings to sin.

 

We are selfish by nature. Despite this, Paul saw yet another law at work - Athe law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.@  This law Ahas set me free,@ Paul said, Afrom the law of sin and death.@  (ROMANS 8:1,2) The Spirit of Christ, dwelling within us, is stronger than the natural/carnal/selfish nature. 

 

  AThe LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ Jesus

       has set me free from the LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.@

 

 

pp Did you see that God=s grace is also called a law; the Alaw of the Spirit of Life?@  pp

 

We have no power within ourselves to love unselfishly, but when we are Afilled with the Spirit of Christ,@ when we become Apartakers of the divine nature@  (2 Peter 1:4) then we become channels for God=s love.  No longer slaves of Satan (Gal. 4:7, Rom. 6:16) or our own desires, (Gal 5:17) we have Apower to become the sons of God@ (John 1:12).

 

This is righteousness by faith. 

We are legally free from the penalty for sin - which is death.

We are healed of the addiction to sin - which results in death.

WHERE DOES GRACE COME IN?

 

ROMANS 1:5  AWe RECEIVED GRACE and apostleship FOR OBEDIENCE to the faith ...@

 

Did you get that?  We received grace, to enable us to obey the law of Christ.  Far from throwing out the law.  God, through His grace gives us power to obey it. 

 

Strong=s Concordance defines Agrace@ as Athe divine influence or the working of divine power upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.@ As the Spirit of Christ works upon the heart (grace), we are gradually changed.  We begin to love what we once hated.  We begin to give unselfishly of ourselves.  We begin to love the law of God - to see its beauty and its truth.  We gain little by little, the victory over our old bad habits.

 

Grace is also defined as Aunmerited favor.@  The gift of His only begotten Son, and His continued infusion of power into our lives is not something we can earn. 

 

                                                                              PHONY GRACE

                                 THE COUNTERFEIT GOSPEL     

 

 

GOD DOES NOT WRITE A NEW MORAL CODE FOR THE PERSON WHO IS SAVED!

HE CHANGES THE HEART,

SO THAT THE NEW CHILD OF GOD NOW LOVES HIS LAW.

 

HEBREWS 8:10   AI will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts@

  (Ezekiel 36:27,28, Jeremiah 3:33, Hebrews 10:16).

PSALM 40:8            AI delight to do thy will... yea, they law is written within my heart.@  

 

ROMANS 7:22    AFor I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.@  

 

PSALM 119:97         AOh how I love thy Law!@

 

PSALM 119:165        AGreat peace have they which love thy law.@

 

                                         VICTORY OVER SIN IS PROMISED

 

AI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me@ (Philippians 4:13).

 

AFor with God, nothing is impossible@ (Luke 1:37).

 

ANow to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless ....@  (Jude 24)

 

AThe Lord shall deliver me from every evil work@ (2 Timothy 4:18).

 

ANo temptation has overtaken you but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape ...@

(1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

AAnd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ....

He who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it@  (1 Thessalonians 5:23).          

 

When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, and we are Aborn again,@ Christ Himself by His Spirit comes to dwell in each one of us (John 17:23,26; Col 1:27; 1Cor. 15:45).  Through the power which His presence imparts we begin to live a new life of righteousness (Rom. 6:4).  We no longer Afulfill the lusts of the flesh@ (Rom. 6:12, Gal.5:16). The law of love is Awritten in our hearts@ (Rom. 2:15; 2 Cor. 3:3). The righteous requirement of the law is then fulfilled for us and Ain us.@ (Rom. 8:4).

 

IF JESUS HAS PROMISED POWER TO OBEY-

THEN WHY AM I STILL SINNING?

 

Salvation is a process, as well as a legal standing.  The Bible calls it justification and sanctification.  We stand before God forgiven - now - the moment we ask in faith.  We are justified.  But our transformation of heart (Sanctification) is a gradual process.  God does not suddenly take over, forcing us to do His bidding.  He wins us gradually - changing our thinking.  When He promised that He would write His law on our hearts - He meant that He would so change our understanding, that we would come to agree with Him, in everything.  Look at the context of the New Covenant promise in Ezekiel 36:24-27.   Our transformation will not be completed until HE has brought us into our Aown land@ --the earth made new.        

 

WHY ARE WE TO BE JUDGED BY OUR WORKS

IF WE=RE NOT SAVED BY THEM?

 

Not everyone will be judged by his/her works.  Only those who will not accept Christ=s spotless record in place of their own, will find their own works compared with the Law.  (Revelation 20:12) The Law can only condemn-it cannot save.

PAUL SAYS, AWE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW,

BUT UNDER GRACE@  ROMANS 6:14.

ABut if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.@ (Gal. 5:18).   

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE UNDER THE LAW?

 

Violation of the Law of God, carries a death sentence.  To live with that knowledge, AYou sin - you die.@  That=s what it means to live - Aunder the law.@ Jesus was Aborn under the law@ (Gal. 4:4).   That means He would have died forever, and we with Him - if He had sinned.  

 

Without Christ, this law of sin-and-death is the only reality.  Because HE paid the penalty for sin, we can be forgiven.  We don=t have to die.  The record of our guilt has been wiped out.

 

This is the meaning of Colossians 2:14.

 

ANOTHER OFTEN  MISUNDERSTOOD VERSE

 

COLOSSIANS    2:14 A. . . having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.  And He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.@ NKJV

 

Let=s look at the context of Col. 2:14.  Paul is writing to Gentiles, who have now been circumcised in heart by Christ v.11, who have been baptized, who (once were dead in sin) and have been made alive with Christ.  What then for these Gentiles, has been Awiped out.@  Their sin - of course! 

 

And if we look at the Greek words translated Ahandwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us@ we find that these words can be translated Acertificate of indebtedness.@   It means - the record of the violations of the law.  Remember how Paul wrote that a person who broke one commandment was a Adebtor to the whole law@ (Gal. 5:3).  (Guilty IS guilty - period, whether you broke one commandment, or all ten.)  Now their sins had been nailed to the cross of Christ. 

 

Compare the wording in the NRSV.

 

Aerasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands [for punishment]. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.@  New Revised Standard Version

 

THANK YOU FATHER IN HEAVEN,

FOR SENDING JESUS,

WHO DIED SO THAT I CAN BE FREE OF SIN,

AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE

IN THE EARTH MADE NEW.

 

 

 

Our study of Grace and The Law continues in Part Three: What was abolished?