Law or Grace
“Abraham had two sons…which…are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage (Law of God)…and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free (Grace of God), which is the mother of US ALL…So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free (Grace), and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (Law).” (Galatians 4:22-5:1)
We sometimes get all theological when we talk about “covenants” and covenant living. But Paul is using the term “covenants” in reference to those God made with Israel (Both the Old and New Covenants are with Israel alone). They are used by Paul as an example of the simple truth that the GRACE of God has set ALL mankind free from the punishment demanded by the LAW of God in the Old Covenant with Israel. We do not avoid the punishment for the sin of Adam, which is “death”, but we will be freed from this death by our resurrection.
When the Law of God is the standard by which we are judged by God, what is the conclusion of the matter?
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
When the GRACE of God is the standard by which we are judged by God, what is the conclusion of the matter?
“For the grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men…for by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord… the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory…” (Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:11; Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:26)
So which applies today for mankind? – Law which condemns the sinner, or Grace which saves the sinner?
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under LAW but under GRACE.” (Romans 6:14)
We sometimes get all theological when we talk about “covenants” and covenant living. But Paul is using the term “covenants” in reference to those God made with Israel (Both the Old and New Covenants are with Israel alone). They are used by Paul as an example of the simple truth that the GRACE of God has set ALL mankind free from the punishment demanded by the LAW of God in the Old Covenant with Israel. We do not avoid the punishment for the sin of Adam, which is “death”, but we will be freed from this death by our resurrection.
When the Law of God is the standard by which we are judged by God, what is the conclusion of the matter?
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
When the GRACE of God is the standard by which we are judged by God, what is the conclusion of the matter?
“For the grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men…for by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord… the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory…” (Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:11; Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:26)
So which applies today for mankind? – Law which condemns the sinner, or Grace which saves the sinner?
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under LAW but under GRACE.” (Romans 6:14)