The Law, Grace, and God's Love
The Law, Grace, and God's Love: Understanding Our Need for Christ
In the grand narrative of humanity's relationship with God, there's a profound truth that often gets overlooked: we didn't always have the Mosaic Law. From Adam to Joseph, the patriarchs lived without the specific commandments given to Moses. This law, which began with Moses and ended at the cross of Christ, serves as a pivotal element in understanding our need for salvation.
Many religions today focus heavily on rules and regulations, creating a culture of performance-based faith. This legalistic approach often leads to judging others more harshly than ourselves, losing sight of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 about the speck in our brother's eye and the log in our own. But with grace, we're called to live differently.
To truly grasp the difference between law and grace, we must understand why Jesus was necessary. The sobering reality is that everyone is a sinner. The very system of animal sacrifices in ancient Israel proved that all were deserving of God's wrath - if any were truly righteous, they wouldn't have needed to sacrifice continually.
Psalm 14 and Romans 3 paint a stark picture: "None is righteous, no, not one. No one understands; no one seeks for God." This universal fallenness means that no one could keep the law perfectly. The consequence? The wrath of God.
But here's where many stumble - they fail to recognize or choose to ignore the reality of God's wrath. The world often acts as if judgment will never come, much like a child who thinks they've escaped punishment because it's delayed. Yet, as the Psalmist observed, sometimes it seems the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. This apparent injustice can be disheartening, but we must remember that God is not letting anything slide - He's merely delaying judgment until the appointed day.
Imagine if everything we ever did, said, or thought was recorded in a book, to be examined on judgment day. Revelation 20:12 speaks of such books being opened. Even our careless words will be accounted for, as Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36. It's a sobering thought, isn't it?
Now, picture someone who has lived a perfect life, never breaking a law or having an impure thought. If such a person existed, they would indeed earn eternal life. But here's the crux of the matter - it's not possible. No one can achieve this standard of perfection. As Romans 3:20 states, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight."
It's a grim picture, but there's hope. This is where Jesus Christ enters the story. God, in His infinite love and mercy, sent Jesus to die for our sins and pay the penalty we could never pay ourselves. Acts 13:38-39 declares, "Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."
The cross reveals God's righteousness. He couldn't simply ignore sin - it had to be addressed. The severity of Christ's suffering shows us how seriously God views sin. But through faith in Jesus, we can be justified apart from the law.
This is where the beauty of God's love shines brightest. Romans 5:8 proclaims, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." While we were enemies of God, Christ reconciled us through His death. This act of love is so profound that it assures our final salvation - if God has done the hardest part in justifying us, how much more will He save us from the final wrath?
Many struggle with the concept of eternal security, but consider this: if our all-powerful, eternal God can provide the only way of salvation through Christ, how could He not keep us secure in that salvation? It defies logic to think we could "unjustify" ourselves after God has justified us.
Jesus, given all authority to judge, has decided that salvation depends on believing in Him. It's not about our works or how good we've been - it's about faith in what Christ has done. As Ephesians 2:8-9 beautifully states, "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."
This gift of salvation is truly free. If we had to do anything to earn it, it wouldn't be a gift. It's like someone offering to pay for your groceries - the moment you try to contribute, it's no longer a free gift. God's love is demonstrated in that He gave His Son because we had a debt we could never pay. The cross, Christ's life, death, and resurrection serve as the receipt of this payment.
Some might protest, feeling they've been too bad to go to heaven. But that's missing the point entirely. We're all on death row spiritually speaking - our good or bad deeds don't change our condemned status. What matters is whether we believe in Christ's payment on our behalf.
The world often doesn't recognize its need for salvation because God's judgment isn't immediate. If lightning struck every time someone sinned, people might pay more attention. But because wrath is delayed, many think it won't come at all. Yet, a day of reckoning is coming.
The good news? Jesus has already taken God's wrath upon Himself. He suffered what we should have suffered so that we wouldn't have to. It's an astounding truth that should compel us to share this message far and wide.
If we had a cure for cancer, we'd share it with everyone. If we knew about an incredible sale, we'd tell all our friends. How much more should we be eager to share the life-changing, eternity-altering truth of God's love and Christ's sacrifice?
As we reflect on these profound truths, let's be moved to gratitude for God's incredible gift of grace. Let's also be stirred to share this good news with a world that desperately needs to hear it. After all, in a world full of bad news, isn't this the best news of all?
Listen to the full message: https://tricitybaptistna.org/media
How to be saved:/heaven
In the grand narrative of humanity's relationship with God, there's a profound truth that often gets overlooked: we didn't always have the Mosaic Law. From Adam to Joseph, the patriarchs lived without the specific commandments given to Moses. This law, which began with Moses and ended at the cross of Christ, serves as a pivotal element in understanding our need for salvation.
Many religions today focus heavily on rules and regulations, creating a culture of performance-based faith. This legalistic approach often leads to judging others more harshly than ourselves, losing sight of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 about the speck in our brother's eye and the log in our own. But with grace, we're called to live differently.
To truly grasp the difference between law and grace, we must understand why Jesus was necessary. The sobering reality is that everyone is a sinner. The very system of animal sacrifices in ancient Israel proved that all were deserving of God's wrath - if any were truly righteous, they wouldn't have needed to sacrifice continually.
Psalm 14 and Romans 3 paint a stark picture: "None is righteous, no, not one. No one understands; no one seeks for God." This universal fallenness means that no one could keep the law perfectly. The consequence? The wrath of God.
But here's where many stumble - they fail to recognize or choose to ignore the reality of God's wrath. The world often acts as if judgment will never come, much like a child who thinks they've escaped punishment because it's delayed. Yet, as the Psalmist observed, sometimes it seems the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. This apparent injustice can be disheartening, but we must remember that God is not letting anything slide - He's merely delaying judgment until the appointed day.
Imagine if everything we ever did, said, or thought was recorded in a book, to be examined on judgment day. Revelation 20:12 speaks of such books being opened. Even our careless words will be accounted for, as Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36. It's a sobering thought, isn't it?
Now, picture someone who has lived a perfect life, never breaking a law or having an impure thought. If such a person existed, they would indeed earn eternal life. But here's the crux of the matter - it's not possible. No one can achieve this standard of perfection. As Romans 3:20 states, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight."
It's a grim picture, but there's hope. This is where Jesus Christ enters the story. God, in His infinite love and mercy, sent Jesus to die for our sins and pay the penalty we could never pay ourselves. Acts 13:38-39 declares, "Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."
The cross reveals God's righteousness. He couldn't simply ignore sin - it had to be addressed. The severity of Christ's suffering shows us how seriously God views sin. But through faith in Jesus, we can be justified apart from the law.
This is where the beauty of God's love shines brightest. Romans 5:8 proclaims, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." While we were enemies of God, Christ reconciled us through His death. This act of love is so profound that it assures our final salvation - if God has done the hardest part in justifying us, how much more will He save us from the final wrath?
Many struggle with the concept of eternal security, but consider this: if our all-powerful, eternal God can provide the only way of salvation through Christ, how could He not keep us secure in that salvation? It defies logic to think we could "unjustify" ourselves after God has justified us.
Jesus, given all authority to judge, has decided that salvation depends on believing in Him. It's not about our works or how good we've been - it's about faith in what Christ has done. As Ephesians 2:8-9 beautifully states, "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."
This gift of salvation is truly free. If we had to do anything to earn it, it wouldn't be a gift. It's like someone offering to pay for your groceries - the moment you try to contribute, it's no longer a free gift. God's love is demonstrated in that He gave His Son because we had a debt we could never pay. The cross, Christ's life, death, and resurrection serve as the receipt of this payment.
Some might protest, feeling they've been too bad to go to heaven. But that's missing the point entirely. We're all on death row spiritually speaking - our good or bad deeds don't change our condemned status. What matters is whether we believe in Christ's payment on our behalf.
The world often doesn't recognize its need for salvation because God's judgment isn't immediate. If lightning struck every time someone sinned, people might pay more attention. But because wrath is delayed, many think it won't come at all. Yet, a day of reckoning is coming.
The good news? Jesus has already taken God's wrath upon Himself. He suffered what we should have suffered so that we wouldn't have to. It's an astounding truth that should compel us to share this message far and wide.
If we had a cure for cancer, we'd share it with everyone. If we knew about an incredible sale, we'd tell all our friends. How much more should we be eager to share the life-changing, eternity-altering truth of God's love and Christ's sacrifice?
As we reflect on these profound truths, let's be moved to gratitude for God's incredible gift of grace. Let's also be stirred to share this good news with a world that desperately needs to hear it. After all, in a world full of bad news, isn't this the best news of all?
Listen to the full message: https://tricitybaptistna.org/media
How to be saved:/heaven
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Posted in Christian living, Faith, Free Grace, Tri-City Baptist, Witnessing
Posted in Faith, Free Grace, Salvation, Tri-City Baptist
Posted in Faith, Free Grace, Salvation, Tri-City Baptist
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