What is Grace and Law?
Introduction
This is a topic that is highly sought after by many. Understanding what Grace is and what it can do to your life is very important. On the other hand, the law cannot be left out. Apostle Paul says, “…since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20). We need to understand this very well. Is the law that bad? Let’s begin!
What is Grace?
The word Grace comes from a Greek word, “charis,” which means unearned favour or undeserved favour. Grace can be illustrated in two ways
- It is the unmerited favour. You’ve not earned it. It is the gift of God to man. He says it in this verse: “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
- The second way. Grace can be defined as the enabling power. God’s active presence in our lives. Paul vividly talks about it here: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Why you need Grace
Several verses do tell us more about grace, such as
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We can see that Paul is still emphasizing “not a result of works” because this brings about boasting, thinking you earned your way into grace.
Paul also comments on the same when he says
“…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” Philippians 3:9. This essentially means you should not be found having a righteousness, i.e., doing good deeds, pleasing God, etc., by following rules and regulations. But by faith through Jesus Christ.
This is because the law operates from without, meaning it has no power to back up what it is telling you to do or not do. Grace works from within. There’s a backing. This is why Christ died and the holy Spirit came to us. Again, he says it well here: “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Galatians 2:21)
Grace through our weakness
You also notice that this grace is made abundant to us through our weaknesses. This is what he says in this scripture: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9) Meaning this Grace is a power. Remember, we had defined this. Whenever you show God that you can do it by your own strength, then Grace becomes unavailable to you. God desires to glorify himself through you. Now there’s a verse that comes before the one above, i.e “My grace is sufficient…”
And here it is: “¹ I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord… ⁷ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.” (2 Corinthians 12:1, 7–8)
This verse clearly illustrates how grace is made abundant in our weaknesses. Apostle Paul was becoming prideful, and because of that, he had to be humbled by the Lord. This is why I keep saying Grace operates in our lowest moments. Glorify God, and you will see how your life will skyrocket!
The Gideon Story
I am reminded of this story where Gideon’s men had to be reduced to only 300 from 32,000. Here is what the verse says: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.” (Judges 7:2).Look at the last phrase, “My own hand has saved me.” To avoid this, God had to do something. Several tests were conducted, such as the fear and the water test.
This clearly tells us that God desires to work through us. As Paul also states in this verse, “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
What is the law?
The word law comes from the Hebrew word known as “Torah,” which means Instruction, guidance, or direction. In our modern society, we see the law being applied everywhere. Law is good for a country in the sense of directing people and ensuring they don’t misbehave. We know, for instance, that the work of the police is to maintain law and order.
Our focus is God’s word. Now, the law was given to Moses to guide and instruct the Israelites. In the book of Exodus, God gave the 10 commandments to Moses. The Israelites were supposed to follow them. Some of them are still referenced in the New Testament.
(Leviticus 19:18) “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Paul referenced this scripture. (Leviticus 11:44) “…Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” Peter talked about it as well.
Jesus observes the Law
This informs us that the law is still very much active. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Christ himself did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill it. Actually, the Greek word for “fulfill” in Matthew is pleroo, which means to fill to the brim, complete, bring to reality, or fully accomplish. Jesus filled it to the maximum by obeying its legal demands, therefore perfectly completing it.
Some instances that show Jesus followed the Law are as follows
- He was circumcised on the eighth day according to the law (Luke 2:21).
- His parents presented Him at the Temple and offered the required Mosaic sacrifices (Luke 2:22–24).
- He regularly traveled to Jerusalem to keep the Passover feast (Luke 2:41–42, Matthew 26:17–19).
- He paid the required half-shekel temple tax to avoid giving offense (Matthew 17:24–27).
- He consistently worshiped in synagogues on the Sabbath day (Luke 4:16)
- After healing lepers, He ordered them to show themselves to the priest and offer the sacrifices commanded by Moses (Matthew 8:4, Luke 17:14)
The above occurrences clearly show that Jesus observed the law!
Examples of works of the law today
Some of the works of the law that are still practiced today include…
- Strict Sabbath observance. You believe that God has to be worshipped on a specific day
- Refusing to eat certain foods such as pork and shellfish to remain clean before God. However, Paul vividly explains these where he says, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or about a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” (Colossians 2:16). This means that God can be worshipped any day of the week. We’re not limited to one day. As well, the Lord has not denied us eating certain foods. It’s up to you to exercise discernment on whether a certain food is to be eaten or not.
- Obeying rigid human-made church rules such as dressing in specific clothes, hairstyles, etc. Paul also talked about this, “…likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9–10)
You’re under grace and not law!
Now you need to know this was before the holy Spirit was poured out to us. Remember, Paul says that “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14). He also says, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” We’ve talked about grace and what it can do to you.
Being under grace means not being found in him while keeping rules, i.e., observing the law. This only requires faith in Jesus Christ. When you’re in Christ. He becomes our righteousness.
Also, you need to know that Christ summarized all the Ten Commandments into love. If you love your neighbor, you will be content with your home and not want his. You will not kill or steal, and so forth.
Conclusion
We’re saved by grace and not by our works; we do not earn our salvation. Therefore, embrace grace. I believe this verse summarizes it well. “…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”. Amen