Law
and Grace
Lesson
12
Marking
Code: LG
Marking Color: Blue
Key Text: Ephesians 2:8,9
- Ephesians 2:8,9. The
Bible is clear that we are saved by
God’s grace, through our faith
in Him and His saving sacrifice-not
by our works or obedience to
God’s law. Salvation is
God’s gift to us by His
grace.
- Acts 4:12. Sometimes
we hear individuals say that human
beings were once saved by obedience
to the law (in Old Testament times),
but that on this side of the Cross-we
are saved by grace alone. The Bible
disagrees! No one is saved by the
law-or ever has been. Jesus is the
only source of salvation for sinners.
Romans
5:18-21. As soon as Adam sinned, grace
abounded to sinners.
- Romans 6:12-15. Paul
says that Christians are not
“under law but under grace”
(verse 14). Some have interpreted
this verse to mean that before the
Cross-individuals were saved by the
law-by their obedience to it-but
after the Cross-we are under grace
and have no obligation to keep
God’s law. How do we reconcile
Paul’s “problem”
statement with the Bible teaching
that salvation is by grace and always
has been?
- Matthew 5:17-19. Jesus
says that He did not come to destroy
the law and that the law will last as
long as heaven and earth itself. So
the law must have an important
function-even if it is not the source
of our salvation.
Note:
There are at least three types of
“law” mentioned in the Bible:
Civil
law. These dealt with the government and
society of the nation of Israel. Exodus 22:1.
Ceremonial
law. These dealt with the religious
sacrificial services of the temple and the
worship of Israel. They were temporary and
were designed to point forward tot eh work of
Jesus as the Messiah and Lamb of God.
Leviticus 4:27-31.
God’s
moral law-the Ten Commandments. These are
permanent expressions of God’s character
and remain valid for all peoples and all
times. Exodus 32:15,16; Deuteronomy 10:3,4,
5; 2 Chronicles 5:10. Paul endorsed the fact
that they are permanent expressions of
God’s will for us. Romans 7:7, 12, 14,
22.
- 1 John 3:4. Sin
is lawlessness-or the transgression
of the law, breaking the law.
- Romans 6:23. The
“wages”-the result-of sin
is death, eternal death.
- Romans 8:1-4. In
these verses, Paul gives us the
proper relationship between law and
grace-and provides the
“solution” to his statement
in Romans 6:14 that we are not under
law, but under grace. Paul says that
we are not under the condemnation of
the law of sin and death. God’s
grace has set us free from the
condemnation of the law. However, we
now love so that the righteous
requirements of the law might be
fulfilled in us-not to be saved, but
in love and gratitude that we have
been saved.
- Romans 7:7,8. The
problem is not with the law; it is
with our sinful nature! Paul is clear
that grace does not do away with
God’s law.
Romans
6:15.
- Ephesians 2:14-16. The
ceremonial laws of sacrifices and
temple rituals are no longer valid
for God’s people because the
reality they pointed forward
to-Jesus’ sacrifice-has taken
place.
Colossians
2:16,17.
Galatians
5:1.
Daniel
9:27.
- Romans 1:5. One
purpose of God’s grace is to
enable His saved people to be
obedient.
Romans
2:13; 16:26.
LG-End.
