Law and Grace : IntroIn this series of articles I want to expound upon the subject of law and grace. The importance of this study can not be over emphazised. The distorted teaching that has created the lopsided and contradicting doctrine that dominates the church concerning this subject must be corrected. If we are to truly walk by "faith", then the foundation of law and grace must be accurate in our lives.In these articles we will look at what the law is and what purpose it serves. We will clearly define grace and legalism, which is essential to our study. Once this is done we will examine closely justification and sanctification. Here we will discover how the believer is made righteous and how he lives a life that is seperated unto the Lord. Finally , we will see through the scriptures, whether or not the law has been done away with and if it has not we will gain an understanding as to how it applies to the life of the believer in Yeshua. We will learn what it is to love the Lord. Now , having laid that out, I want to look at a very important scripture. Turn to 2 Timothy 2:15.
By this verse I hope that you will see several things. First; we must study the Word of God. This means to thouroughly examine and search the scriptures. We must set as the highest priority in our lives God's Word. Merely reading a devotional for 3 minutes in the morning will not give us the foundation that we must have in the scriptures. Second; the approval we seek after is not that of man's. In fact whether or not man likes us or thinks highly of us is of no importance at all. The approval we seek after must be God's and God's only. Third; it is possible to be ashamed before the Lord because we did not study. And finally, only through study can we rightly divide God's word so that we are not ashamed. It is imperative that you understand this before we begin our study of law and grace. Church doctrine means NOTHING if it contradicts the Word of God. The charismatic teacher, who has a following of millions, is WRONG if he contradicts the Word of God. The pastor you so greatly admire, who has been there for you through thick and thin, must NOT be followed if his teaching contradicts the Word of God. These are strong words, I know. But the truth is strong and only by continuing in it can we be set free. The choice is ours, but so is the recompence if we decide to ignore the truth once it is presented to us. In the pages to follow this I will take you line upon line, precept upon precept through law and grace. What you find may startle you. It may shake your comfy zone. What I hope, is that it will set you free.
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