| 9/27/2012 Legalism Vs. Saved By Grace by Christina Farris Galatians 2:19-21 KJV (19) For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. What does it mean to not live by the law but to live by love. When the law no longer represents love, we love anyway. Laws are created everyday whether it be in the workplaces, schools, government, or even society code of conduct. These laws were designed to protect the people yet when these laws no longer protect they serve to justify evil. Laws of the Old Testament were present to signify holiness. To signify the exemplary lifestyle of a believer, yet no one was able to maintain that life style on their own. Most of us do something sooner or later to break the law. Whether it to drive to slow or to fast on the highway, Throw a piece a paper down in a no liter zone. To chewing bubble gum in class despite the no gum rule. Even if we do none of these things we all lie at some point, even if it is to only protect the innocent around us. No one is perfect, even after the salvation of God comes. If our works were to save us then how would we measure up. What if God held all little white lies accountable and if you told the lie whether received Jesus or not then you go to hell. The only thing you did was tell that one lie to the little old lady that her son was a good boy and you be going to hell. If that little old lady she talked to her friends and said what a good boy I have. Your one lie caused her to lie and now she is accountable for that lie. Now you are standing before God and he says you are in hell because of the lie you started and also the woman that continued the lie is going to hell because she told it even not knowing she told it. If that were the case most would be going to hell. Sin causes death, sin after salvation causes correction from God yet with mercy and grace, upon repentance. Sin continues to play a role in our lives, yet it should not. Our strive should be to live exemplinary lifestyle. 1 John 1:8-2:3 KJV (8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (3) And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. I really hate when I hear little old ladies say they never made a mistake, they live in perfection. It concerns me because I wonder if they understand what they are saying or is it a generation gap. See we are made perfect through Christ. Christ the word of God and the word being a cleaning agent. Yet it is more then just spiritual metaphor, for we must also believe Christ came in the flesh. Meaning we look to the Son of God for salvation. We bow our knees to Him. The sound of God voice causes even a grown man to tremble and bow before Him. We will bow at the word of God. What one must do to be saved. Romans 10:9-13 KJV (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If we understand salvation comes by belief then our works is only a by product of that faith. Now when one looks at faith and the law to things occur. We are either living according to legal law or religious law. What is religious law. Some religious law can be deadly, yet God said do not kill. If we say the law is good and yet condone the action of murder in the Bible then it would religious be okay today right? No killing never been right in the eyes of God. God is our judge and He makes the decision who dies and who does not. How can one justify the Old Testament Law. First one must understand there is several laws written in scripture. One is the law of society, the religious law of faith and obedience and third not least is the religious law of customs as reminders of faith. The first ten commandments is religious law the law of love for God and love of other as yourself. The next law that came was legal law of judgment that broke up disagreements and set rules for people to follow and not to break in order to keep peace between others. This law is secondary law. Why, because the law of love trumps all law because if you love then everything else should fall in place. Yet people have a problem defining what is love is. In fact people argue and quarrel all the time. People disagree about what they feel is infringement on their rights as humans. The legal law in scripture was defined as Moses law in scripture the law Moses set up that was by suggestion of his father in-law who was Midian. Let us read the passage in Exodus. Exodus 18:13-24 KJV (13) And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. (14) And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? (15) And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: (16) When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. (17) And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. (18) Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. (19) Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: (20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. (21) Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: (22) And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. (23) If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. (24) So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. The law came about by Jethro suggestion, though wise as it was. It did not come from God directly this suggestion. The implication is that this judgment is God’s and in a way it is. God gave man authority and with that authority comes responsibility that is ordained by God to fulfill. Only laws that were written by God’s own hand was the Ten commandments. Moses had training as Egyptian and lived with his father in-law tending sheep. The type of rules that would influenced Moses was from his background. With His father in-law’s suggestion one can see how certain laws would have been in place as customs of cultures. As society changed so would these laws change. However religious law of the Old Testament only changed with the coming of Christ. Christ came to end the sacrificial law for sin. The sacrificing of animal a reminder of sin. Yet with Christ death and resurrection there was no more need for the sacrifice for sin and death. Christ paid it all once and for all. However much religious customs were surround by the offerings and sacrifices for sin. All things reminding us of the need for repentance. Now we look at the symbol of the cross and humble ourselves knowing the price Christ paid for us. Hebrews 10:1-18 KJV (1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. (4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (8) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Three types of laws mention in scripture. One is abolished by the death of Christ taking away the priesthood. Taking away the physical need for a priesthood and a need of a Savior an direct mediator with God that the only thing we needed to do was confess our sins, and talk to Jesus about the things on our heart. Galatians 3:10-25 KJV (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (15) Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. (16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (18) For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (19) Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (20) Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (21) Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Christ being the only mediator we need. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Governmental laws will always be in place to obey. They are for all people despite faith or no faith. Yet religious law is spiritual, it is following in the footsteps of Christ individually by faith. This is a law that can not be taken from you. This law is superior to all laws because it is the law of love. Our laws become corrupt and if we still obey the law of love, love will always win, though like Christ suffering it might come with price. For to sacrifice ourselves to demonstrate love goes beyond the call of any government. It is forgiving despite the society law of revenge. What law are you following? The governmental law, religious law found in the church of social customs or Christ? Think about it. Which law would you rather follow. |
|
