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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What is "the Law" and grace about? | Rom 7:12 | Searcher56 | 13347 | ||
I am trying to get a handle on "the Law" and grace. Define "the Law." Define "grace." What is the relationship between the two? Can they co-exist or be separated? Explain. What is the purpose of the Law? How does "the Law" or any law effect our lives, today? Are we told we don't have to follow "the Law"? Steve |
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2 | What is "the Law" and grace about? | Rom 7:12 | Morant61 | 13359 | ||
Greetings Steve! One of the best passages to explain the differences between Grace and Law is Gal. 2:15-21: "15 ‘‘We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. 17 ‘‘If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”" The best way (for me) to understand Law and Grace is to understand that both refer to methods of obtaining right standing before God. Law refers to a right standing before which is earned by keeping commands. Grace refers to a right standing before God which is given by God, not earned. The passage quoted above answers some of your questions. For instance: 1) The Purpose of the Law: According to v. 19, the Law is what allowed us to die to the Law. This seems to be refering to several aspects of our spiritual lives. a) The Law condemns us. b) The Law reveals us. c) The Law kills us. What I mean is simply that our failure to obey the Law of God brings condemnation upon us. Our failure to obey the Law of God causes us (hopefully) to recognize our sinfulness. And, finally, our failure to obey the Law of God can ultimately bring us the place where we participate in the death of Christ on the cross through salvation. So, the purpose of the Law is one of bringing us to the place where we can be saved, but it cannot save us. 2) Do we have to follow the Law? Yes and no! Since the Law is an expression of God's perfect nature; those who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit should live in obedience to the Law. This seems to be what v. 19 is refering to when it talks about living for God. However, obedience or disobedience to the Law in no way effects our salvation. That is based solely upon Grace. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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