PART 3. LAW & GRACE.
PART 3. LAW AND GRACE INDEX
PART 3. LESSON 1.
INTRODUCTION
1. THE PROBLEM OF THE MISUSE OF THE LAW
1.2 THE LAW IS GOOD
1.3 LAW KEEPING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ALIENATES US FROM CHRIST
1.4 THERE ARE VARIOUS LAW SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT US
2. THE LAW OF MOSES
2.1 WHERE DID THE MOSIC LAW COME FROM?
2.2 THE TORAH REVEALED BOTH GOD'S GRACE AND LAW
2.3 LEGALISM
2.4 JESUS CONDEMNED THE PHARISEES
2.5 WHAT ASPECT OF THE LAW WAS BEING MISUSED?
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
3.1 THE GREAT NEW TESTAMENT DEBATE
3.2 THE LAW OF MOSES IS PERFORMANCE BASED
3.3 THE MOSAIC LAW BRINGS A CURSE
3.4 MOSAIC LAW WAS ONLY OUTWARD CLEANNESS
3.5 MOSAIC LAW CANNOT NOT BRING REAL RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS
3.6 THE LAW CONDEMNS
3.7 MOSES REPRESENTS THE LAW
3.8 THE MOSAIC LAW BRINGS A FADING GLORY
3.9 PENTECOST
3.10 IS THE LAW OF MOSES IS SIMPLY A MORAL CODE?
4. GOD'S HIGH STANDARD OF HOLINESS
4.1 THE LAW REVEALS GOD'S HIGH STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
4.2 THE LAW EXPOSES OUR INABILITY TO SAVE OURSELVES
4.3 LAW EXPOSES OUR SINFUL NATURE
4.4 THE LAW INCREASES SINNING, TO MAKE US DESPERATE
4.5 THE LAW REMINDS US OF OUR SIN AND OUR NEED FOR GRACE
4.6 THE LAW POINTS TO THE NEED FOR A BLOOD ATONEMENT
4.7 LAW HIGHLIGHTS OUR NEED FOR SUPER GRACE
4.8 THE LAW POINTS TO JESUS WHO ALONE CAN SAVE US FROM SIN
4.9 THE LAW IS FOR THE WICKED
PART 3. LESSON 2.
5. FOR BELIEVERS THE LAW IS NOW OBSOLETE
5.1 CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW
5.2 LOVE - THE LAW OF CHRIST
6. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN LAW AND GRACE.
6.1 LAW IS ABOUT US, GRACE IS ABOUT JESUS
6.2 JESUS SOMETIMES PREACHED LAW BUT DISPLAYED GRACE
7. THE LAW AND GRACE AFFECT
7.1 ZACCHEUS AND THE RICH RULER
7.1.1 THE RICH RULER & THE LAW (Lk.18:18-24).
7.1.2 ZACCHAEUS, THE RICH TAX COLLECTOR AND GRACE
8. JUDIAZERS
8.1 GROUP TIME
9.1 EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA LEARNERS
9. GROUP QUESTIONS
PART 3. LESSON 1.
INTRODUCTION
John 1:17 "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ".
The Law was given by Moses for to people to obey and do. But grace and truth came through the person of Jesus. Unlike the Law, grace is not something we do but it is someone we receive, Jesus. When we received Jesus as Lord we receive grace. The purpose of this part of the course is to explain what the Law is, it's purpose today, how it should be used in the context of the New Covenant and how the Law has be erroneously applied and misunderstood in a way that is undermining grace and believers identities in Christ.
An important part of understanding the grace that is ours through the living Word, Jesus Christ, is that we have a firm Biblical foundation on which this grace is established. This is so that the intimacy, hope and blessings that come with Jesus' grace cannot be undermined. As you go through this study course we ask you to spend time looking up all the scripture references quoted in brackets and allow the Holy Spirit to establish the Word in your heart and mind.
1. THE PROBLEM OF THE MISUSE OF THE LAW
1.2 THE LAW IS GOOD
1Ti 1:8 "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly".
Let's be clear from the start. We are not anti the Law. God makes it clear in scriptures what the purpose of Law, and it is good when it is used to expose unrighteousness and our need to be saved. The problem is that many have assigned the Law a different role to that which God intended - a roll that often opposes or belittles grace or adds conditions to God's grace. There is a great debate that runs throughout the New Testament letters "What is the purpose of the Law"? There is obviously a proper reason why God gave the Law to Moses. The Law is God given and good if used in the way that God intended. Close examination of the New Testament scriptures clearly reveals the very special purpose of the Law and we will start looking into this in this.
1.3 LAW KEEPING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ALIENATES US FROM CHRIST
Gal 2:21 " I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Gal 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
To be alienated from Jesus! What a powerful statement and terrible thing to happen, and yet this is exactly what the Scriptures teach happens when we embrace the Law. Ask most Christians what causes people to fall away from God's grace and their answer would be sin. However this is not true, it is actually the Law that causes one to fall from grace. When we use the law to gain and maintain righteousness it is an offense to God. On the other hand the Scriptures teach that sin actually causes grace to increase (Rom.5:20). The Scriptures also teach that misuse and the wrong application of the Law can;
1. Alienate us from Christ (above)
2. Nullify God's grace (above).
3. Dishonour the work of Jesus on the cross (above).
4. Curse God's people (Gal.3:10)
5. Gives sin its power (1Co.15:56) 6. Provokes sin (Ro.7:5) 7. Produces lust (Ro.7:8) 8. Increases sinning (Ro.5:20) 9. Condemns us (2Co.3:9)
10. Bring God's wrath upon us (Ro.4:15)
These are all horrible things and to avoid them and live a blessed and holy life it is crucial that we understand what the Law is, it's purpose and how it should be applied today.
1.4 THERE ARE VARIOUS LAW SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT US
As we study the Law we first need to clarify that we all live under a number of law systems which tend to interact. Firstly there are natural laws. These are scientific laws like gravity, inertia, sowing and reaping. Generally we are bound by these laws. However when we move in the supernatural these natural laws can be overcome. Miracles are a manifestation of this truth. Secondly there are secular laws. The civic law of the land. We are called to obey the civic law as far as possible. Provided they don't oppose the Word of God. Thirdly there are spiritual laws. The Scriptures define a number of spiritual Law systems, the main ones :
i) The Law of Sin and Death (The Old Adamic Covenant).
If you sin you die both spiritually and physically Gen 2:16-17Rom8:2-4.
ii) The Law of Moses (The Old Mosaic Covenant).
If you obey all the ten commandments all the time, you will be blessed. If you fail in any one aspect at any time, you are cursed Deut. 28:1-68. Blessing and curses are based totally on your performance. It's bad news!
iii) The Law of the Spirit of Life. (The New Covenant).
If you are 'born again" the Spirit of Christ lives in you. You are righteous and in Grace. You now have full abundant physical and spiritual life along with God's abundant blessings. Rom. 8:2-4. John 1:16-17. It's good news. These are the laws we are concerned with. The world cannot understand the spiritual (1Cor.2:14), but as Christians these spiritual Law systems need to be understood as they affect our spiritual and physical well being.
2. THE LAW OF MOSES
2.1 WHERE DID THE MOSIC LAW COME FROM?
The Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament which were written by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word Torah means written instruction or teaching. Within the Torah a number of covenants are revealed, the last one under which Israel still falls is the Law of Moses given on Mount Sinai. This Law Covenant contains six hundred and thirteen Mitzvot or commandments (Go to http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm if you would like a list) , ten of which we know as the ten commandments. This we refer to as The Law. Over the centuries the Jewish Rabbi (teachers) have added thousands of sub laws or traditions to the Law of Moses. These are recorded in the Jewish books known as the Talmud and Midrash. Each Rabbi formulates a set of interpretations of the Torah and these were referred to as "his yoke" as they were often, heavy, controlling and burdensome (Lk.11:46). One of Jesus' roles was that of was a Jewish teacher. Jesus said in Mat 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." as he considered the teachings of the Rabbi of the day to have missed the point. They were legalistic and lacked God's grace.
2.2 THE TORAH REVEALED BOTH GOD'S GRACE AND LAW
It is a mistake to think that the Torah only revealed The Law. The Mosaic Law was just one part of the Torah which prior to Sinai revealed God's grace and gift of righteousness to Abraham and his offspring. In fact the Abrahamic Covenant is the overriding covenant of blessing which shadowed and pointed to the coming New Covenant in Christ. We will examine the prophetic role of Abraham and Sarah in Part 5 on Righteousness. The Torah shows the contrast between Abraham who lived by faith and Moses who commanded people to live by laws.
2.3 LEGALISM
The problem with regard to the Law is not actually the Law but legalism. Legalism, in Christian theology, is a usually pejorative term referring to an over-emphasis on discipline of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigor, pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of law at the expense of the spirit. Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God’s grace, is the pre-eminent principle of redemption. The words ‘legalism’ or ‘legalist’ do not occur in the Old or New Testaments. Legalism’s root word, “law” (Greek nomos), occurs frequently in the New Testament, and sometimes connotes legalism. The Greek of Paul’s day lacked any term corresponding to the distinct position of “legalism”, “legalist”, or “legalistic”. One concept of legalism, the belief that salvation can be earned by obedience to laws, is referred to in various New Testament books, including Galatians. In this case, some Jews who had become Christians believed that in order to obtain salvation, both faith in Christ (as Messiah), and obedience to the Mosaic laws were required, such as the cases of the circumcision controversy and the Incident at Antioch. Generally, however, these cases are referred to as the Judaizer controversy, rather than a legalism controversy, but the two are related. Legalism refers to any doctrine which states salvation comes from adherence to the law. It can be thought of as a works-based religion. Groups in the New Testament said to be falling into this category include the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Judaizers, and Nicolaitans. They are legalists because they emphasized obeying the Law of Moses, in the case of the Pharisees and Scribes, to the letter without understanding the concept of grace. Jesus condemned their legalism in Matthew 23. The Pharisees love of the praises of men for their strict adherence is said to be a prime example of legalism. Legalism is sometimes confused with obedience. New Testament books such as Romans, speak of grace and obedience together. An example is found in Romans 1:5 (NASV) speaking of Christ ‘through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake…’ The goal of receiving the grace was to bring about obedience of faith. Here grace, faith and obedience are tied together. Other references are in Acts 5:29, 32; Romans 16:19; 2 Corinthians 7:15; Hebrews 5:9. Legalism is also confused with discipline, which is often spoken of in a positive light. See 1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 12:5–11. A third common misunderstanding of legalism is the word law. Law in many places in the Bible refers to the Law of Moses. In Galatians the Judaizers were trying to insist that salvation required that a person be circumcised prior to obeying the Law of Christ. Galatians 2:16 (KJV) says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” . The faith here is the Law of Christ and the law here is the Law of Moses. The legalism of the Judaizers was that obedience to the law of Moses was necessary to be saved.
2.4 JESUS CONDEMNED THE PHARISEES
Mat 16:21 "From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life".
The Pharisees and teachers of the Law set themselves up as enemies of Jesus and the gospel. They were more concerned with defending their positions and traditions based on the Law and Moses than they were with truth from God. They actively and willingly opposed God's will and the revelation of the new and better covenant of grace and the kingdom that Jesus was teaching. It is very significant that the teachers of the Law were the only people that Jesus ever condemned. Sinners he forgave and showed grace but the Pharisee and teachers of the Law he called snakes (Jn.23:33) and sons of Satan (Jn.8:44). Strong stuff and a warning to us today not to take on the same judgmental and legalistic spirit as the Pharisees. He condemned them because they had misused the Law for their own advantage to control, manipulate and hold people in fear to them and the religious system they had set up that gave them power, prestige and money.
Luke 11:46 " Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them".
This is not essential for the course but when you have time read through Matthew 23 and make some notes on why Jesus condemned the Pharisees and how this would apply today.
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2.5 WHAT ASPECT OF THE LAW WAS BEING MISUSED?
Acts 15:5 "Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
The debate in the New Testament is specifically about The Law of Moses. In the Apostle Paul's day, as today, the law of Moses was being misused to control and condemn believers. The Law of Moses was being used by some believers to deny the effectiveness of the Cross. It is the legalism that the Christians with a Jewish background were preaching is the problem that Paul addresses in most of his letters. Likewise today the misuse and misapplication of the Law and legalism are undermining the gospel of grace.
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
3.1 THE GREAT NEW TESTAMENT DEBATE
Gal 3:19 "What, then, was the purpose of the law"?
There is a great debate that runs throughout the New Testament concerning the purpose and use of Law that was given by God to Moses. Jesus challenged Israel's understanding and misuse of the Law and through Paul completely turned the whole Law based religious system upside down. In the early church, Grace preachers like Paul, were heavily persecuted by 'Christian preachers' who focused on the Old Testament Law. The early church experienced major divisions and conflicts over doctrines concerning Law and Grace. Most of Paul’s letters deal with this debate, along with the consequences of the false doctrines that focused on the Law instead of on the finished and sufficient work of the cross. Sadly, the Church is still plagued by the misuse of the Law and a lack of understanding of the place of the Law in the New Covenant. It is important that we understand what the Law is, why God gave the Law to Moses, what His intentions were and how the Law affects us today. Without this understanding we may be susceptible to manipulation, condemnation and control by Law preachers as well as be guilty of dishonouring God's grace and Jesus 'finished and sufficient work on the cross.
3.2 THE LAW OF MOSES IS PERFORMANCE BASED
Deut.28:1 " If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God."
At first appearance the above terms and conditions of the Law of Moses may seem like good news as it appears that blessings are for the taking. However close scrutiny of the terms of the covenant show that the blessings only come to those who fully obey the Law in all its aspects all the time. Not such good news after all. The blessings under the Law are a big "if". It's only our constant obedience and performance that can result in a blessing. The Law is extremely conditional - "If you, if you, if you...." is repeated over and over. The bad news concerning the Law is that there are only 13 blessings (Deut 28.1-13) but 54 curses (Deut 28.14-68). This is not good news as curses outnumber the blessings 4:1. It is symbolically significant that the Law was written in stone - it was rigid and unchangeable. In contracts the New Covenant of grace are written on living hearts of flesh. The Law is an outside thing of works by effort which is imposed on people by others. The Law Covenant fell short because of man's bad performance (Heb.8:8-9).
3.3 THE MOSAIC LAW BRINGS A CURSE
(Gal.3:10) "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
But the good news is (Gal 3:13) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Most people think that it is sin that burses us, but in fact it is that it is the Law. The curse of the Law is bad news because everyone breaks the Law and therefore falls under the curses of the Law. The other bad news is that the Law increases the dominion of death as the Law gives sin and death increased power over us. 1Co 15:56 says; "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law".
3.4 MOSAIC LAW WAS ONLY OUTWARD CLEANNESS
Heb.9:13-15 "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant".
The Old covenant fell short because of sin and a lack of faith. It could not take away sin. It only gave an outward appearance of holiness. It never changed peoples inner sin condition.
3.5 MOSAIC LAW CANNOT NOT BRING REAL RIGHTEOUSNES AND HOLINESS
Rom 3:20-24 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (See part 5 on Righteousness)
3.6 THE LAW CONDEMNS
Deu 31:26 "Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.
Deu 30:19 This day I, Moses call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
2Cor.3:9 says that the Law is a ministry that condemn and sentences us to death. The above scriptures makes it clear that even Moses knew that the Law actually stands as a witness against us. It a witness for the prosecution not for the defence. The Law exposes and announces everyone's failure and guilt . In contrast when we are in Jesus' grace he stands in our defence (1Jn.2:1) and intercedes for us (Heb.7:25). The Law condemns but grace acquits. Since the cross there is now no condemnation for those in Christ (Ro.8:1). Condemnation is one of the major conditions that grace addresses and sets us free from. (More in part 5).
3.7 MOSES REPRESENTS THE LAW
Heb.8:13 "By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear".
Moses represents God's Law and wrath, just as Jesus represents God's grace and love. Because of Israel failure to keep God's commandments Moses eventually became very angry with God's people. This did not please and honour God, therefore God took away Moses leadership. Moses died at God's command, he never entered the promised land. This is because the Law could never take God's people into the promised land only Joshua could do that. Jesus name in Hebrew is Joshua. Only Jesus can take us into all the promises of God make throughout the scriptures.
3.8 THE MOSAIC LAW BRINGS A FADING GLORY
2Co.3:6-8 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?"
Only the ten commandments were ever placed on stone (Exo.24:10) not the ceremonial laws. The above scripture confirms that it is the Ten Commandments that brings death and condemnation when preached. It is interesting to note that there is a degree glory in the ministry of Law which brings condemnation. It came with occasional miracles and signs. Even today many Law preachers still manifest signs and wonders. But Scriptures teaches that the ministry of the Spirit is much more glorious. Mixing Law and grace causes the glory to fade. Legalism and control leads to infighting in the church which grieves (Eph.4:30) the Holy Spirit. This control issue is one of the reasons we have see so many anointings and revivals fade away. As we plunge deeper into grace and free ourselves from legalism so we will see the work of the Holy Spirit being permanently established in our ministries.
3.9 PENTECOST
The Jewish feast of Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Under this Old Covenant of the Law, Moses (Exo.34:30) shone with glory but also bought God's wrath and condemnation through the decrees of the Law. This caused Sinners to flee in fear. 3000 died when the Ten Commandments were given and God's wrath was provoked (Exo.32:28). In contrast, the first feast of Pentecost after the Cross was a completely different affair contrasting the difference between the Old and New Covenant and Law and Grace. Under the New Covenant of Grace the glorious ministry of the Spirit revealed God's grace which attracted sinners and caused 3000 to come to the Lord (Acts 2:41).
3.10 IS THE LAW OF MOSES IS SIMPLY A MORAL CODE?
Col 2:21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence".
Christianity is not about obeying the ten commandments. Nor is it about trying to get other communities to do the same so that we can all be moral people. Christianity is about having an intimate relationship with a loving God, through Jesus Christ and proclaiming this good news to others.... this is what changes lives, communities and the moral atmosphere of society. Christianity is not about living by a set of Biblical principles and rules.... one doesn’t need a relationship with God to do that - all one needs is a list of Biblical does and don't. Christianity is about a loving relationship with a God who speaks with us and guides us in everyday life. Our morality and righteousness can never come through the ten commandments, but only through being in a right and intimate relationship with a loving God.
Most of us have grown up believing the ten commandments (and other Old Testament Laws) are God's moral code for mankind. There is no doubt that it is good to keep the ten commandments and that they offer good values for society. However from a Biblical perspective this is not the purpose for which God gave the Law (as we will see below).
There are many religions and societies that enforce very high moral standards e.g. Islam .... but this does not make them righteous in God's eyes. The Pharisees had very high moral standards but were far from God and were called son's of Satan by Jesus. Victorian society proclaimed very high moral standards, based mainly on the ten commandments, but we now know that behind the thin veneer of decency was hidden corruption, debauchery and moral decay.
Right and moral living can only come from a relationship with a loving God, not through enforcing God's Law. It is only grace that enables us to live morally (Titus 2:11) while a life focussed on Law keeping ultimately leads to moral failure, condemnation and a judgmental attitude towards other.
4. GOD'S HIGH STANDARD OF HOLINESS
4.1 THE LAW REVEALS GOD'S HIGH STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom2:13 "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous".
Mat.5:20-28 v20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven".
From day one mankind thought they could get right (righteousness) by their own works or ways (Gen.3). However the Law of Moses was given to emphasise an impossible standard of righteousness that no man can keep, except Jesus. Even the Pharisee's fanatical self righteous law keeping was not good enough (Mt.5:20). Jesus confronted them in their wrong belief and exposed the truth that any righteousness based on self effort and good works simply fell short of God's holiness. Jesus even preached a type of hyper law (Mt.5:20-48); pluck you eye our, cut your hand off, just for even thinking or saying bad things - just in case anyone thought they were righteous enough. Jesus came to kill off any hope in our own independent self righteousness. Jesus' was pointing to a new type of inner righteousness by the Spirit. (More on this in part 5.).
An analogy is: A group of people are locked in a room and are told that anyone who wants to get out has to jump and touch the ceiling. Now, a few put in huge effort and one or two eventually do it, and are set free while the rest remain captive in the room. The ceiling is reachable by a few with enough effort. However the exercise is repeated and the ceiling is raised by another three meters. No matter what anyone does they cannot touch the ceiling, it is simply beyond their reach. If they want to get free they cannot rely on their own effort or work but simply have to cry out for mercy and grace. So it is with the Law.
4.2 THE LAW EXPOSES OUR INABILITY TO SAVE OURSELVES
John 7:19 "Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Rom 9:31-32 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." Act 13:38 "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses".
The law: "Given to bring us out of our deception that we could ever save ourselves. God revealed what real holiness is for those who think, I’m close. I’m a pretty good person. He gave a standard of holiness that was so detailed—step one through ten thousand—that it was impossible for anyone to ever keep it. The purpose of the law was to drive us to our knees, saying, “If this is what God demands, I can never keep it!” The law wasn’t given so we could keep it. It was given to show us that we could never keep it. Once we’re aware of this, we find ourselves shut up to the fact that we need a Savoir. We realize that forgiveness and mercy is the only avenue on which we’ll ever have right standing with God. That was the purpose of the law. Imagine being in a large room with many people. If God walked in and said, “You must all jump up and touch the ceiling or die,” what would you do? If the ceiling was only eight feet tall, you might be able to jump high enough to save yourself. But what if the ceiling was thirty feet tall? You might be able to jump higher than someone else, but if thirty feet was the minimum, you’d be doomed. All you could do is plead for mercy. Likewise, God raised the bar so high through the law that no one can measure up. It was to show us that none of us can save ourselves. We need a Savoir!" (Andrew Womack)
4.3 LAW EXPOSES OUR SINFUL NATURE
1Jn 3:4 "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. Rom 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin".
Rom 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."
Gal 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."
The law: “A stick is crooked, but you do not notice how crooked it is until you place a straight rule by the side of it. You have a handkerchief, and it seems to be quite white. You could hardly wish it to be whiter. But you lay it down on the newly fallen snow, and you wonder how you could ever have thought it to be white at all. So the pure and holy law of God, when our eyes are opened to see its purity, shows up our sin in its true blackness, and in that way it makes sin to abound. But this is for our good, for that sight of our sin awakens us to a sense of our true condition, leads us to repentance, drives us by faith to the precious blood of Jesus, and no longer permits us to rest in our self-righteousness. It was the practical result of the giving of the law that men became greater sinners than they were before, and it was the design of the law that they should see themselves to be greater sinners than before. The law is the looking-glass in which we see our spots, but it is not the basin in which we wash them away. The law has a provoking power, for such is the perversity of our (old) nature that, no sooner do we hear the command, “You shall not do so-and-so,” than at once we want to do it”. (Charles Spurgeon)
4.4 THE LAW INCREASES SINNING, TO MAKE US DESPERATE
Rom 5:20 "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more".
When we realise the problem we have with sin we are able to turn to God for forgiveness and grace. However the proud and self righteous cannot see their sin problem was as a humble sinner can. The Law points all, but especially the religious and self righteous, to the need of God's grace.
4.5 THE LAW REMINDS US OF OUR SIN AND NEED FOR GRACE
Heb.10:1-3. The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins".
The Law is a constant reminder of both sin and failure to attain God's holy standard. It could never make anyone clean of sin or perfect. The annual reminder of sin, on the day of atonement was in fact an annual reminder that Israel needed a savior as they could not stop sinning by themselves. Likewise today, we all need to be saved.
4.6 THE LAW POINTS TO THE NEED FOR A BLOOD ATONEMENT
Heb.9:22 "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness".
Through shadows and types the Law as always pointed to Jesus, the lamb of God and his blood atonement for sin. This is the glory of the Law, to point to Jesus. Starting from God shedding an animal's blood to cover Adam and Eves nakedness, through Abel's lamb sacrifice, the Passover lamb and the animal sacrifices of the temple, Jesus, the lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world was being revealed (Jn.1:36).
4.7 LAW HIGHLIGHTS OUR NEED FOR SUPER GRACE
Rom.5:20-21 "Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more".
New Testament scripture teaches that The Law actually adds to our transgressions, showing even more clearly our need for grace. We all blow it, we all sin, all the time! Albeit to lesser or greater degrees. In response to our weaknesses God provides us with super abounding grace (Greek word huperperisseuo). On the cross Jesus overpaid mankind's debt of sin. Through Jesus, the Father now gives us grace not only for our sins but also for our blessing. A helpful analogy would be one of a rich person depositing a huge amount of money into a bankrupt friend bank account that not only paid off all his debt but put him into a place of huge credit which enabled him not only to buy all the things he needed but also all the luxuries he desired.
Grace did not set aside God's Law and the debit we incurred through it, but rather grace completely satisfied it. As deep as sin goes, God’s grace goes deeper. As wide as sin is, God’s grace is wider. When sin abounded, grace super-abounded even more. God’s grace is greater than all our sin. Grace is the only thing that truly enables us to overcome sin Titus 2:11-12. However performance orientated Christianity makes us double minded in this regard. We believe that when we are good we are in grace and can receive God's love and blessing. But when we are bad we fall from grace and we become legalistic and sin focused. We will look more at the issue of sin in part 4.
4.8 THE LAW POINTS TO JESUS WHO ALONE CAN SAVE US FROM SIN
"Gal 3:19 "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come".
Gal 3:24 "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Act 28:23 "They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets."
The most excellent and the primary purpose of the Law is to show all people their depravity and self righteousness and that all need for Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This is the ultimate and Godly most critical purpose of the Law.
4.9 THE LAW IS FOR THE WICKED
1Tim.1:9-10 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.
The Law still has a place in the lives of unbelievers to set a standard for society and define sin. Unbelievers are not lead by the Holy Spirit and therefore may need the law to define what they already really know in their consciences. However this is no longer necessary for believers who are lead by the internal law of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
PART 3. LESSON 2.
5. FOR BELIEVERS THE LAW IS NOW OBSOLETE
5.1 CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW
Mat 5:17-18 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished"
John 19:30 "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
Rom 10:1-4 "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes".
Jesus said the Law would never pass away until he had accomplished his mission to fulfill the Law on the cross. With Jesus fulfillment of the law through the cross (Col.2:14) Jesus proclaimed the judgment of the Law to be finished and fulfilled when he died in our place on the cross. What is finished and fulfilled has legally become obsolete and been superseded by a new and better covenant. For believers under the New Covenant of grace the Law has passed away. For those still living by or under the Law, the Law is still valid but it is gradually fading as more and more are saved by grace.
If we are saved and born again we are not under the law but under grace and the Law no longer has any part in our lives (Ro.6:14).
5.2 LOVE - THE LAW OF CHRIST
Gal 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".
The good news, the gospel, is that Jesus' life, death and resurrection fulfilled and effectively cancelled the bad news of the two Old Testament Law systems that cursed us. The Cross brought in the New Covenant law system of grace known as The Law of The Sprit of Life (Rom.8:1). For those who believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit there is freedom from the old externally applied law systems. God's way of living is now written by the Spirit in our hearts and consciences. In addition to the law of the Spirit of life Paul refer to the "law of Christ" (Gal.6:2). There is debate within the church as to what the law of Christ actually means. However if one reads Gal.6:2 in context it is clear that it is addressing how to practically live out the Law of the Spirit of Life and how to fulfill Christ's new command to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). The law of Christ is "love" for love fulfills all religious laws, rules and regulations (Rom.13:8-10)(Jas.2:8).
6. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN LAW AND GRACE.
6.1 LAW IS ABOUT US, GRACE IS ABOUT JESUS
John 1:16-17 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another for the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
THE LAW GRACE
Focused on us Focused on Jesus
Is based on works Based on rest (Heb.4:1-6)
Is about doctrine & rules (Deut 30:10) Is a person, Jesus. (Rom5:15)
Leads to self righteousness (Rom.9:31-33) Imparts righteousness. (Rom.3:20-21)
Demands of you. Imparts to you.
Condemns the best of us. Saves the worst of us.
Brings death. (2Co.3:7) Brings life. (2Co.3:6)
Demands righteousness. Gives righteousness.
Is focused on sin. (Joh.9:2) Is focused on our righteousness in Christ
Defines sin. (Rom.7:7) Reveals true holiness
Leads to hardening of heart. Leads to repentance.
Stirs up sin. Overcomes sin (Ro.6:14).
Results in condemnation. (Rom.8:1) Affirms us.
Leads to people being cursed. (Gal.3:10) Blesses us twice over (Joh.1:17)
Brings sickness (Deut:28:61) Brings health (Acts 10:38)
Is fear driven. Is love founded.
God is fearful (Ex.20:18) God is loving (1Jn.4:10).
Is about our self effort. Is our rest and peace in the cross
Causes us to be self focused (“I must”). Is Christ focused (“Jesus has”).
Leads to control. Leads to freedom.
God will not clear sin to 3-4th generation. God will never remember our sins.
Focuses on our obedience. Focuses on Jesus' obedience.
We serve God. Jesus serves us.
We are God's servants. We are God's children
Angels are God's representatives We are God's ambassadors
Is conditional (“If you…”) (Deut 30:10). Is unconditional (“Because Jesus has…”)
Is purpose driven. Is Spirit lead.
Is of outward appearances. Is of a heart (inner) state.
Is flesh. Is Spirit.
Is to be achieved. Is received.
Is works based. Is faith based.
Exercise: Add any more contrasts that you believe may apply with scriptural references where possible.
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6.2 JESUS SOMETIMES PREACHED LAW BUT DISPLAYED GRACE
Jesus obviously knew that The Law was given to expose self righteousness and for bringing people to an end of themselves. This is the only reason Jesus preached the Law from time to time. He never preached The Law to condemn people. The Jewish teachers of Jesus’ day, the Scribes and Pharisees, had totally misunderstood the purpose of The Law of Moses. They used it for the exact opposite purpose for which it was intended. They taught that people could be saved and holy by obeying The Law. (Our teaching on righteousness in part 5 will show that this is the exact opposite of God's intention).
Jesus preached the Law to show that no one could ever be saved by keeping the Law and that all fall short, all have sinned (Ro.3:10-20) and all need a Savior and Grace. Jesus never preached the Ten Commandments as an external moral code for man to live by or for a way of obtaining righteousness. Jesus knew that righteousness and right living can only come about through a heart transformed by God's grace and by living in a love (Jn.13:34) whose source is God himself, the Spirit within us. Let’s be honest, we all would like to keep the Ten Commandments, but the truth is that we all fail like Israel did - no matter how hard we try. The good news is that under The New Covenant, our role is to recognize that we fall short of God’s holiness standard, we therefore rely on God’s grace and find rest in Christ from the Law. The Law just brings terrible condemnation and death (2Cor.3:7-9) so we need to get free from it. It is only from position of grace that we are able to live in the way God desires: a loving, generous, holy life full of the fruit of the Spirit. Right living flows from a heart that is full of grace and love, which can never come about by trying to obey the Law. Traditionally we have been taught that Jesus preached Law for believers to aspire to and live by. However we have missed the truth that both Jesus and Paul used The Law in a different way, in the way for which it was originally intended i.e. to expose the sin of self righteousness, pride and the sin of unbelief. Moral sin flows out of unbelief, moral sin is the fruit of man’s pride and independence from God not the fruit of grace. This misunderstanding of the purpose of the Law has led to confusion in the Church and has resulted in an erroneous deadly mixture of Law and grace that has produced terrible fruit in many Christian lives. Looking at the two parables of the Rich Ruler and Zacchaeus help us understand how Jesus correctly applied Law and Grace with amazingly different results.
7. THE LAW AND GRACE AFFECT
7.1 ZACCHEUS AND THE RICH RULER
There are two linked Bible stories reveal the differences between the effect of The Law and the effect of grace. Jesus gave the Law to the self righteous while to the humble and lost he showed grace.
7.1.1 THE RICH RULER & THE LAW (Lk.18:18-24).
Luke 18:18-23 "A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”19 Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
This parable typifies the Principle that to the self righteous Jesus always preached The Law.
The context of this parable is that Jesus speaking this parable to men who trusted in themselves, their righteousness was something they had earned through the Law of Moses and consequently they despised others who they considered to be "sinners". Jesus was out to expose the primary sin of pride and self-righteousness that the Law of Moses was producing in the religious Jews. He was also starting to reveal God's grace once again to Israel. Jesus knew that the exposure of self righteousness is crucial, as the self righteousness cannot see the need for salvation, after all who needs to be saved if they are righteous through their own efforts. Self-Righteousness is the ultimate manifestation of man’s pride, man’s self sufficiency and the fallen nature of mankind. The issue of righteousness by self effort or righteousness by grace is in fact the key theme of Scripture, it is crux of the Cross and is one of the keys to fully understanding the Kingdom and the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).
Points from the story of the Rich Ruler: Jesus’ intent in this encounter was not to give us another impossible Law to obey “You must sell everything and give all your money to the poor”. Jesus was actually exposing self-righteousness and the bondage to money from which self-sufficiency and self-righteousness often flows. Jesus was responding to a very specific question (v18) from a self-sufficient and rich ruler who asked: “What must I do to inherit Eternal Life?”. The rich ruler’s question reveals the foundations of self-righteousness i.e. self effort. This trait happens to be particularly pertinent to the rich because they are self- sufficient, able and “doers” based on the erroneous and arrogant belief that we are able “ to do” things that make us worthy, holy and sufficiently qualified to spend eternity with God.
Jesus is also addressing the fallen assumption that if we are good we don’t need a Saviour and God’s grace. Jesus demolishes the mistaken belief that we can obey laws and keep the Law to the perfect degree that God’s Holy Law demands. Jesus’ usual response to people wanting to ‘do things’ to get saved was to preach the Law in an extreme form. In this case it was “Go and sell everything, give it to the poor and follow me“. Jesus knew that the rich ruler believed he was good, able and righteous. Jesus also knew that he was obsessed with money. Despite his claim of having kept The Law since childhood, through his money making, he had actually repeatedly broken the Law “Thou shalt not covet”. Sadly the rich ruler was blind to this fact. For the rich ruler ever to be saved Jesus had to first reveal his self-righteousness, spiritual blindness and bondage to money. What is interesting is the actual affect the preaching of Law had on the rich ruler. Did he repent? No! Instead he hardened his heart and turned away from Jesus because he realized he could not do what the Law required. In a way it seems like a strange story. No one was saved, no one repented and no one followed Jesus. However it needs to be said that firstly, the rich ruler missed the point of Jesus’ teaching. Secondly, not everyone is saved and the Lord gives us freewill to turn away if we choose. Thirdly, the sermon was not wasted as the listening crowd understood what was being taught and responded in the right way to Jesus’ teaching. The response Jesus was looking for was actually for people to understand their precarious position and cry out for God's grace. Luke 18:26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Some of the lessons we can learn from the Rich Ruler. Self righteousness is a strong deception and bondage which spiritually blinds people. The religious-rich are particularly prone to self righteousness. No one can save themselves by keeping The Law. Law preaching results in condemnation and turning away from Jesus. Law preaching just reinforces how much we fall short and fail. Preaching The Law doesn’t get people saved. Preaching The Law does not lead to repentance.
Thankfully Jesus also didn’t leave us with just this story as He desired to teach us what happens when we preach the Law and what happens when we share grace. The teaching continues and Jesus reveals the way of grace in the very next chapter. And thank God the results are astoundingly different!
7.1.2 ZACCHAEUS, THE RICH TAX COLLECTOR AND GRACE
Luke 19:2-10 "A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a “sinner.’” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
The context is that the rich man in this story is called Zacchaeus which means “an Israelite”. He was a Jew just like the Rich Ruler and as such he was also under the Law of Moses. Zacchaeus was a very rich Jewish tax collector who worked for the Romans. These tax collectors exploited and defrauded the Jewish people and they were intensely hated. The Jews considered him to be a traitor, a sinner and unclean (v7) -no one would associate with him.
What is crucial in this story is for us to see that Zacchaeus was desperate to have an encounter with Jesus. This desperation for Jesus is what determined Jesus’ actions and response to Zacchaeus. Unlike the Rich Ruler, Zacchaeus’ focus was not on ‘what he should do’ but on who Jesus was. This rich man humbled himself and climbed a tree just so he could see Jesus. This must have been quite a sight and quite an effort for this short man. Jesus’ response to the rotten and corrupt Zacchaeus was one of pure love and grace. “ Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” This was amazing as Jesus knew that Zacchaeus was despised and a “sinner”. Jesus also knew that his offer to go to Zacchaeus’ house would offend people as Zacchaeus was clearly a Law breaker. However in stark contrast to Jesus’ response to the Rich Ruler Jesus never preached the Law to Zacchaeus. Jesus never once pointed out his sin or that Zacchaeus lacked anything. Jesus never indicated that he required Zacchaeus to do anything. He never condemned Zacchaeus in any way. Jesus simply showed him Grace and acceptance – by coming to his house to eat. The affect of Jesus’ Grace and acceptance is nothing short of miraculous and is in stark contrast to the Rich Ruler who turned away from Jesus. Zacchaeus is overwhelmed by Jesus’ grace and he welcomed Jesus and was full of joy (v6). He received salvation through Jesus (v9&10). The kindness of Jesus causes him to repent of his sinful way of life (v8). He was contrite and humble of heart and confessed his sin. Without being told what to do, his heart led him to do what was righteous. He was set free from his bondage to money. He showed a heart for the poor and needy. He set out to make right the affects of his past sins.
It must be clearly understood that it is not his actions of giving away his money that gained him salvation and righteousness. Giving his money away was the result of his meeting Jesus, experiencing grace and receiving salvation. True salvation and grace always results in a transformed character and Godly good works that are from the heart.
There are a number of lessons we can learn from Zacchaeus. When people seek Jesus he responds in grace because Jesus is grace! Jesus shows grace to those who are humble and not self righteous. When we share grace; God's unconditional love and acceptance, people will be saved. It’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance, not the Law. People don’t need the Law to know that they are sinners and fall short in some way. Repentance is a change of mind, a change of belief which results in a change of actions. True ‘good works’ come from a heart transformed by grace. A heart touched by grace will show concern for the oppressed and needy.
To conclude. The preaching religious Laws exposes peoples short coming but it doesn’t bring people to salvation. There is a better way than preaching Law, revealing God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ. Not only does the grace of Christ bring people to salvation but it transforms people’s characters and enables them to live righteously.
8. JUDIAZERS
"Judaizers is predominantly a Christian term, derived from the Greek verb ioudaïzō "to live according to Jewish customs". This term is most widely known from its single use in the Greek New Testament in Galatians 2:14 where Paul publicly challenges Peter for compelling gentile converts to early Christianity to "Judaize". This is also known as the Incident at Antioch. This term also includes groups who claim the necessity of continued obedience to the Law of Moses found in the first five books of the Old Testament although this is sometimes disputed by members of these groups - notably the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as the term Judaizers is typically used as a pejorative. Most Christians believe much of the Old Covenant has been superseded, while some modern Protestants believe it has been completely abrogated and replaced with the Law of Christ. Thus, "one who has Judaized", refers to a Christian who has accepted the necessity of adhering to the Mosaic Laws or to specific laws that are believed to be superseded, such as circumcision, Sabbath observance, or observation of the Passover. The ongoing Christian debate over Judaizing began in the lifetime of the apostles, notably at the Council of Jerusalem and the Incident at Antioch, and parallels the ongoing debate about Paul the Apostle and Judaism, Protestant views of the Ten Commandments, and Christian ethics". (Wikipedia).
Reading scripture in context and using scripture to interpret scripture. There is an indication that Pauls thorn (Ezek.28:24) in the flesh (2Co.12:7) was not some sickness from God as many would have us believe, but the constant attack and Paul's angry response to the demonically inspired (2Co.11:13-14) Legalists and Judiazers, false apostles, who purposely followed behind him and constantly undermining his preaching of the gospel of grace. God's answer to this problem was that grace was sufficient to overcome them and Paul's fleshy response. Historically this proved to be the case.
8.1 GROUP TIME
1) A scriptural exercise in legalism: Read through the following scriptures and then write some short notes on what they are saying about legalism and misuse of the Law in the early church.
Act 11:2 "So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him".
Acts 21:20 "When James and the elders heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law".
Gal 2:11-16 "When Peter came to Antioch, I, Paul opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 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".
Gal 2:4 "This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves".
Php 3:2-3 "Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh".
Tit 1:10-11 "For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain".
Col 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ".
Col 2:16 "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ".
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2) Discuss and write down the purpose of the Law.
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9. GROUP QUESTIONS
What is the Torah?
Who were the Pharisee?
What was their focus?
Who did Jesus condemn and why?
Name some of the different spiritual laws.
What does the scriptures say about the ministry of the law in 2 Cor.3?
What is the law of Christ?
What can nullify grace?
Was grace revealed in the Old Testament, give tow incidences.
List five purposes of the Law.
What does Pentecost celebrate in the Old and New Testaments?
Did Zacchaeus fulfil the Law in any way?
What spiritual laws apply to believers today?
9.1 EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA LEARNERS
If you are doing this course by Email it should ideally be done in a networked group setting with a minimum of five people so that an active discussion can take place and different viewpoints explored. Those doing the course at a distance by Face Book or Email should discuss the questions below in a study group either on line or at an actual group meeting. Individual should then answer the questions and email a copy to us at study @gracelovetruth.com for evaluation as this will help us to see the effectiveness of the teachings and how to improve them. We will endeavor to answer any questions that are unresolved by the end of the course. This course is free but we do ask that you help promote its use by telling your friends and other churches about it. Also please send us the names and emails of all participants so we can keep in contact with further course updates. All Email information will be kept private and confidential. Please answer the above questions.