Law and Grace : Part 1

As a guideline, let's take it slowly. Our authority will be God's Word. Get out your Bible, a notepad , a good pen and a highlighter. Do not rush through the material. Periodically stop to think upon the scriptures. As always start with prayer. Ask for the Lord to open your eyes and teach you. Ready? Ok, let's start.

DEFINING GRACE AND LAW

Any good study must begin with an understanding of the freguently used terms that describe the subject. How can we understand grace or law if we do not know what those terms mean "according to the Word". Now over the years I have heard some pretty clever explanations for both of these. But to stay true to the intent and purpose of the Word we will stay true to the Biblical definitions.

WHAT IS THE LAW

The Hebrew word for law is Torah. It is used 220 times in the Old Testament. It's primary meaning is "direction", "instruction" , "teaching". Thus the law is God's teaching and instruction for direction. The law reveals to us the heart and the ways of God, while teaching us how to walk in unity with Him and one another.

THE LAW IS GOOD

Turn to Romans. Here in this book is a wealth of information for understanding the role of Torah. However, you must study carefully. Much misunderstanding concerning the writings of Paul have led to disasterous conclusions. I encourage you to study this book in it's entirety.

Look at 7:12.

Then in verse 22,

The Apostle Paul stated that the law was holy and good and that in the inward man, or the spiritual man, HE DELIGHTED IN THE LAW. This is written after he has become a follower of Yeshua. He is a man who stands by grace, but he does not reject the law. On the contrary, the law is his delight. We can conclude that God's law or teaching and instruction is good and that the spiritual man delights in it.

HOW ABOUT GRACE

In the Old Testament , the word grace is from the Hebrew word "hanan". It's meaning is basically bestowed favor, pardon, mercy. In the New Testament the word is from the Greek "charis" and means favorable regard or loving kindness. What is very important to note, is that this word grace is to convey a posiiton of pardon or kindness that is NOT merited. It is simply given because of the One giving it.

Before we go any further, look with me at an example in scripture of a man that recieved and walked in God's grace. I am talking about Noah.

I use this particular man to demonstrate something very important. Most of us have been taught a view of grace that BEGINS with the cross. Yet here is a man many years before the cross obtaining grace.

THE ROAD OF SALVATION HAS NEVER CHANGED

Noah found grace through faith just like Abraham, just like Moses, just like David, just like Peter, just like Paul and just like you and I. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH. The law was NEVER given to justify the believer.

Justification has been and always will be , by grace through faith. When one TRUSTS in God and His love and provision of righteousness, then GRACE is extended to that person and they are reconciled unto the LORD. So what was the purpose of the law?

WHAT THE LAW DID

The law did several things.

1. It revealed the character and ways of God.

2. It provided a guideline for conduct for God's people.

3. It caused distinction between God's people and other nations.

4. It provided His people with occassion for individual and corporate worship.

5. It identified sin.

The Torah revealed God and it defined for His people the way that they were to walk before Him. REMEMBER, the Torah / law was given to a people already redeemed from bondage, not in order to redeem them.

SUMMARY

Salvation is by grace through faith. It has always been that way and will always be that way. God's teaching or His Torah that we refer to as the law, was never intended to be a means of justification. The Torah was a revelation. It was given to show us the ways of our God and to show us how to walk in love with Him and with our fellow man.

We will look at this important subject more in the next installment of this series.