Grace vs Law

Jesus Christ Superstar

Diagnosis: We live in a society of hyper grace or grace on steroids. We have lost the doctrine of obedience and have replaced it with a grace saturated doctrine which doesn’t exist. We know that the doctrine of Grace is biblical and it does exist, but have we misinterpreted the true meaning of grace. Have we used it to justify us parading around in our sin. Although we don’t live under law is it safe for us to put Grace on a pedestal.

Objective: To ensure that we understand that grace is not to be abused, and although we don’t live under the law we should respect and appreciate it.

Meat: Hebrews 1: 1-3 shows us that God that spoke to the early fathers and many different ways, he spoke through preachers, which you would call prophets. However, now he speaks through his Son Jesus Christ. Although, the entire bible is rich and beautiful, and it is a good for reproof, rebuke, and correction, the Gospels might be central to the whole bible. For it is in the gospels that we find the voice of Christ teaching and speaking to his followers. So, with that being said we must read the epistle with in full agree with the Gospel because in truth we know that the apostle would not teach anything that was not taught to them by Christ ( Matthew 28:20). One of the biggest champions of Grace in the bible is the great apostle Paul, who spoke of grace with such authority. However, one of the most important things that Paul taught on actually happens to fall in chapter 7 in the book of Corinthians. No, chapter 7 has nothing to do with grace, and all to do with marriage. However, in this chapter Paul makes a distinction his wisdom and how it can be applied to a situation, and God’s command on how something is supposed to be. Paul was sure to clarify not the Lord but I, and vice versa not Him but the Lord. This helps us understand that Paul never went against what God said, and with us knowing that why would it seem that Paul was against a law that Jesus said wouldn’t disappear until heaven and earth disappeared ( Matthew 5 :17)

Paul the ambassador for the Gentiles

Paul had a very unique job, and he was chosen for a very special assignment. Paul wasn’t one of the original 12 apostle, but he was chosen specifically by God to be a voice to the gentiles. When we read the Gospel Paul’s words sometime seem to conflict with others, such as Peter, and also James the brother of Jesus, but none more than Jesus on the issue of a Law vs. Grace. Jesus spoke primarily about obedience in fact he said that if we love him than keep his commandments John 14:15. With that in mind we as Christians should strive hard to be obedient understanding that we have grace there to help us continue in the hope and promised that we recieved from our savior Jesus Christ. However, many people are taught to rest in grace, and that God hates sin, but loves the sinner, that God forgives forgives and forgives, as if you can continue to walk in the same sin without acknowledging that you are and the pushing wholeheartedly for repentance. This misconception comes from the poor interpretation of Paul’s teaching and why he was teaching about grace so abundantly. Romans 4: 13-17 is a great teaching on grace and not living under the Law, and there are countless time that Paul lets us know that the Law doesn’t save us and that we are only declared righteous by that of Jesus and only justified by him.

So why the confusion, one reason is because people look for reasons to justify their sin. And they use Grace as a monopoly get out of jail free card. They don’t understand that grace is the main ingredient in which allows God to forgive us. Since God has Grace for all humans he is able to forgive us, but not only this Grace also allows for election. Grace is major part of God’s D.N.A. Knowing that Grace is key in our life’s it made sense that Paul would be a huge promoter of this as he was a Jew sent to focus on the lost Gentiles. Paul never wanted grace to supersede or stand in the way of obedience or even kill the Law. Paul wanted to ensure that we all understood that is only because of Grace that we are saved. Paul was sent to people who thought it was no hope, and he introduced them to living hope in Jesus Christ. However, the challenge was convincing the lost that they were entitled to this free gift. That all though they were not Jews God’s grace is sufficient for all. Remember there was ton’s of dis unity in the body of Christ at this time. Most Jews didn’t feel as though the gentiles were worthy, and many would hold the Law as a legalistic stronghold around the gentiles and on another. Paul was trying to have them understand that the law never saved them that the law was a mirror to show us that we clearly need someone to intercede on our behalf because we where never worthy of salvation until that jesus christ

However, the Law is Good, and it is perfect, it came from God, and that is why Jesus say that it will never pass away until new heaven and earth. Paul doesn’t tell us not to acknowledge the law, the law points out our sin it when we reflect on it, it should drive you to repentance.