Grace and the law
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Comprehending the plan of salvation is no easy task to unravel; however, understanding the Law which contains that plan is even more difficult to decipher. Combine this with the related concepts grace, faith and works and there is no wonder why believers are confused over the subject of Grace, Salvation and the Law. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God therefore, we are saved by grace through faith, but faith without works is dead. What, then, is grace? Grace is an often used but seldom understood concept. One of the biggest misconceptions of grace stems from the way that religious leaders have defined it in religious circles. Ask the average believer what it means and they will likely say, “unmerited favor” or “undeserved mercy.” The problem with this definition is that believers tend to lump grace into a single category, but the Bible presents a very different picture.
Believers should ask themselves, why some people received grace while others did not. Perhaps they will find the answers to be more available when they continue to read. Why did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord when others did not? Genesis 6: 8 The Bible reveals that Noah did something that other did not do, for the wickedness of man was great in the earth that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. So great was this wickedness that ‘God thought to destroy man from the face of the earth, but Noah found grace. 
Noah found grace because he walked with God and pleased Him. “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” v. 9 Similarly, Moses (Exodus 33:11-12), Ruth (Ruth 2: 2, 10), Esther (Esther 2:17), and a host of others found grace because they too, were doing God’s will.
Many other Old and New Testament passages show a positive correlation between grace, (the kindness or favor of God), and walking upright or possessing righteous traits. Psalms 8:11 acknowledges that ‘God gives grace to those who walk upright and Romans 1: 5 uses the coordinating conjunction “for” to show how through obedience to the faith, grace and apostleship were received. Similarly, 1 Corinthians
15:10 and I Peter 5: 5 show a direct correlation between grace and labor (works). This is the second way grace is used. (Those who walk upright and DO God’s will.)
The first way that grace is defined in the Bible is as a free gift. This free gift of grace is responsible for bringing salvation unto all men. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11. Simply put, man does not have to do anything to earn this type of grace. It is simply given man the opportunity to hear, believe, do the will of God, and continue in his word. (John 8:31)
There are a number of Bible verses that gives a precise definition of this second form of grace.
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.-Acts 14:26
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Romans 1:5
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Has Grace wiped away the Law
In order to answer that question, we must look into what the Bible says concerning Law/ Works. The first thing that we MUST understand, is that the word Law/ Works, has several meanings. In other words, it is not used the same way all of the time., therefore, content analysis must be a method in determining the precise definition in each verse.
It is impossible to talk about grace without bringing in faith, works and the law. While this is a complex subject, bible verses and critical thinking will show us how they all are interrelated. One of the first things that we must recognize is that the words grace, faith and law are not used the same way throughout the Bible. This is one of the biggest mistakes made by laypersons attempting to study this subject and it has caused those in Christianity to reject the Law of God. Have you ever noticed how the Bible and even the writers appear to contradict themselves on the topic of grace, faith and the Law? This is because these words are not defined the same way all the time. In fact, the word “LAW” has several different meanings in the New Testament.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God
While the popular paradigm suggest that we must no longer abide in the Law ,a careful consideration of your own conscience and reasoning will tell another story. Go up to your religious leader and ask him or her is it okay to murder, fornicate or commit adultery. Guess what they will tell you? They are all wrong and they are unrighteous acts. Surprisingly enough, their proof is the Law of Moses which was handed down to him by God. (Exodus 31:18)
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
As was mentioned earlier, and just to give an example of words being used differently throughout the Bible, New testament passages seem to contradict Romans 2:13. (i.e. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ) We must do an indepth research and ask our selves, WHAT LAW IS THE PASSAGE REFERRING TO?)
It is not enough to just hear God’s
word, the bible tells us after hearing, we must believe, DO what we heard, and continue in it. Whenever the Bible tells us to DO a thing or not TO DO a thing, it is considered the law of God aka commandments. (John 8:31)
Part of the contract of the NEW COVENANT was that God was going to write HIS LAW in the hearts of his people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33) This means that he didn’t want them to ever forget it. He never said that he was going to do away with it in turn for giving them grace. (M’t. 5:17)
Sin will be here until the return of the Son of Man. The bible explains to us that the wages of sin is death. How then can we measure sin unless we had a way by which to measure it? The Bible defines sin in 1 John 3:4 as follows:
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
It is impossible to know sin without having the Law. How do you know if you are speeding when driving unless there was a Law showing you what the speed limit is? How then have millions of people been convinced that the Law is done away with? Maybe it’s because they have associated the Law with the OLD COVENANT, which only includes, physical circumcision of the foreskin, the Leviticus Priest after the Order of Aaron, and sacrifice killing for sin.
Faith made perfect by Works.
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
It is a COMBINATION of faith AND works that makes one perfect. When the New Testament goes against works (i.e. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ-Galatians 2:16), it is talking about works ONLY. But notice what James said in verse 24. ( …. and not by faith only.) So it is not enough to have only faith in Christ without the works of the Law.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. –
- But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.- James 1:25
- (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.-Romans 2:13
- 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. –Psalm 19:7
- If ye love me, keep my commandments. –John 14:15
- Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Roman 3:31