LAW AND GRACE
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
I. WE HAVE MOSES AND THE LAW:
1, The law includes: the moral law (Exodus 20); the ritual law (Leviticus) and the statutes given to Moses concerning governing Israel.
2. What the law did for Israel:
It provided a legal system for the nation.
It provided a moral code for ethics.
It provided a ritualistic system of offerings and sacrifices which typified Christ which would permit God to forgive their sins.
But note that forgiveness of sin come to Israel only as they identified their offerings as typifying the Messiah: “…for if there ad been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Galatians 3:2
3. What the law does for the world since the atoning death of Christ:
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24
II. GRACE AND TRUTH CAME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST:
Grace enters the picture when Christ fulfilled the demands of the law.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17
Also: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believeth.” Romans 9:4
Truth that came through Christ. Included in that truth is the revelation of God’s love for us and His provision for our salvation.
III. HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS VERSE OF SCRIPTURE:
Show great reverence and respect for the law of Moses because it was given by God.
Recognize the value of the law today being “our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ”.
Manifest our love for the Lord Jesus Christ who died that we might be free from the law of sin and death as set for in Romans 8:2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Receive in our heart the grace and truth He brought which provided for our acceptance before God and our salvation from sin’s penalty.
