Focus: John 1:17 - KJV
17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:20-21
Many theologians have done studies on the issue of the law and grace that it has become a scary topic to delve into. Unless and until we appreciate the mind of God concerning the subject, we may end up displeasing God in our deeds based on our understanding of it. Reference to the law is deemed to be the ten commandments that Moses received. This may not be correct in absolute terms for the ten commandments was God’s summary of the eternal laws by which all would be judged in the end. Hence, when it is said that the law is defective, it cannot be the eternal laws codified in the ten commandments. Outside those laws, Moses did some treatise which became a larger bundle for Israel to follow. It is that bundle for instance that permitted stoning to death despite God’s express injunction that says thou shall not kill. Hence, when there is a reference to the law as having failed, it is about that bundle, which qualifies as the laws of Moses, and not necessarily the ten commandments which Jesus said is represented in love: the love of God and the love of the neighbor.
Grace on the other hand is said to be unmerited favor: meaning that what we got in Christ Jesus is simply not deserved but a gift from God. In essence, by grace, we received pardon from God for the sins we committed in Adam which sins have been punished through the death of Jesus on the tree. He paid the wages of our sin in full thereby. No wonder He says go and sin no more. That grace, by the epistles and writings of the Apostles, is sufficient for all mankind and has given us who were hitherto filthy, access to the holy of holies which is the presence of the holy God. Not only that, by it, we are now adopted into the family of the living God whereby we can be called sons of God. Now, Paul said, can we continue in sin and ask grace to abound? God forbid. That simply suggests that grace does not cancel the law of God. Even though there is grace, if we fail to live according to the law of God which is love, we fall into sin for which grace cannot abound unto us.
The Lord is pointing us to the truth of the fact that life is about choices. First, we can choose to renew our minds by accepting that by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, no death judgment is hanging on us based on the sin of Adam. However, we are expected to choose righteousness by living like Christ, and not sin, which makes us resemble the first Adam. Those who emulate the first Adam to sin despite the grace that has been afforded them, will, like Adam be rejected of the father. For us to be accepted, we must, upon renewing our minds, flee from everything called sin or filth or iniquity. Then would we be seen as emulating the man of righteousness and be deemed righteous. Yes, the righteousness of Christ is available unto us by grace. However, we cannot call Him Lord, Lord and reject His commands. If we do, we reject Him and the grace He offers us, choosing to be like the first Adam. Whether we do not sin again? We are all work in progress and being built constantly away from carrying a sinful mind into operating in righteousness to the brim.
SOLUTION: Please do not be deceived: the existence of grace is not a liberty to live a reckless life of sin. It is a trick of the enemy to win converts unto himself for the lake of fire. Run away from everything called sin, or offending the commandments of God.
Please pray:
· Give thanks to God for the gift of grace He has given you by your faith in Christ Jesus
· Ask God to please help you never to abuse the gift of grace by living in abeyance to the laws or commandments of God
· Pray that by the reason of the grace you have in Christ, the Lord will make available to you all the largesse connected to that grace which will make your life worthwhile on earth
· Pray that God will bring many more to the understanding of this revelation and live according to the will of God from now on
· Ask for your daily bread for today
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name
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