Part 1: Getting from Law to Love
Last month I had the privilege of leading a couple of Bible studies on a Saturday at the home of some friends. I thought I had two studies. Instead, I had two more studies come out of the first one and this is an expansion on one of them.
The Law of Moses contained in the Old Covenant fits into the realm of what a Jew could earn through performance – obey the Law and be blessed, or disobey the Law and be cursed. Grace belongs in the realm of receiving a free gift – eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, law and grace produce different attitudes. Law produces pride and says, “I’m a self-made man. I followed all the rules!” Grace produces humility and says: “Thank You. I never could have done what you did for me.”
You see, the Pharisees, the scribes and the Judaizers only looked at one component of what made the Law – THE LAW. They were obsessed with the commandments, the behavior demanded by the Law. Yet, they had neglected the consequences of breaking the Law, death (Romans 6:23). It’s important to realize that the command itself is not a law.
Call on My name and confess all you have done. I will separate your sin from you and cast it away and remember it no more. ~ Jesus [Letters from God and His Christ - Volume 2 - Love and Forgiveness Awaits All Those Who Turn From the World to Christ]