SOME weeks ago, this column dealt with how Jesus was the one to fulfil the Law so that comers and believers in His substitutionary sacrifice would be freed from it.
It is unfortunate that many “Christians” want to be justified by works/good deeds or the Law thereby despising the finished or accomplished work of Christ.
The Bible is very clear, Galatians 2:16 notes, “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.”
We buttress with Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
We cannot argue with the Word.
Jesus came during the subsistence of the Law to free us from its grip.
We read Galatians 4:4-5, “[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
God took the form of humanity, Jesus, to redeem us from the Law. We’re now sons and daughters not servants of the Law.
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Scripture had foretold that the Law was meant for Jesus, Psalm 40:7-8, “[7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, [8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”
This is a messianic prophecy or reference to Jesus. The writer of Hebrews clarifies for us, Hebrews 10:7-9, “[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”. It was imbedded in the heart of Jesus to fulfil the Law.
We’re freed from the Law. Repeatedly, we have stated that we’re beneficiaries of the New Covenant cut out between God and God in Christ.
To further simplify, the New Covenant isn’t between God and man. Our part in it is to believe and partake. There are no works of righteousness involved.
Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We don’t try to do so called good deeds to be justified. Our good deeds are a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit called fruit of the Spirit.
The Law is incriminating and accuses us before God the Father. Jesus said in John 5:45, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.”
Jesus speaks well of us before the Father but the Law finds fault in us. We, therefore, stick to Jesus.
We know the efficacy and advocacy of His blood in Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
We’re Christians and thus follow Christ because we’re beneficiaries of His Grace.
John 1:17, tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Grace is truth.
That’s the kai rule of Biblical interpretation. Instead of reading grace and truth, we read, grace which is truth.
Jesus embellishes it in John 4:23, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” Spirit is truth.
The Law and the prophets (whose prophecy was on the basis of the Law) stand aloof while we’re being freed by Grace.
Romans 3:21, New King James, reads, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,” The Law can only watch us being saved by the Grace of God and cannot do anything.
With all it’s incrimination and accusations, the Law is powerless to those who believe the Gospel of Christ. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
