Christianity

The Law and The Grace

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth and everything within them, including human beings. As time goes on, having seen the behaviours of man (human beings), God set up rules and regulations termed as laws and ordinances to govern the human race; most especially, those who are called the children of God.

Before going further, what is the meaning of the word ‘LAW’? According to definition, Law is a recognized principle which when violated must result in penalty. It is an accepted fact that laws differ amongst nations and countries of the world, but a sacred fact is that the children of God all over the universe are being governed by the same law which is the word of God – The Holy Bible. No matter the amount of language into which the bible is translated, the words in it still retain the same meaning and interpretation. The psalmist said “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (KJV). Moses was given the commandments and the laws which he read to the children of Israel and the punishment fit for the violation of each one of them. And the laws were effective, evidences of which include the consummation of the children of Aaron – Leviticus 10: 1  - 2; the leprosy of Miriam – Numbers 12: 10; the swallowing up of Korah, Dathan and Abiram – Numbers 16; and the stoning of Achan to death – Joshua 7, amongst many others of such in the bible.

The presence of Jesus Christ brought about the change of things. The shocking news, however, is that the change of things does not really meant abolition of the law, and that is where many so called children of God are getting it all wrong. After all, they will point their fingers to the gospel according to St. John chapter 8 verse 1 – 11, concerning the woman caught in the very act of adultery whom the Pharisees and the scribes brought to Jesus for condemnation. They pointed out specifically the penalty for such sin according to the law given by God to Moses; because Jesus had told them earlier that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfill them according to the Gospel by Matthew chapter 5 verse 17; to remind him that if he had really come to fulfill the law, then that was the right time for it to be done. But they were disappointed by the response Jesus gave them – John 8: 7: “… He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” The rest of the story ran through verses 8 – 11. – That was grace in display.

What therefore, is this Grace? Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return.

The result of that act by Jesus showed that there is no single person without sin. This is to be said that, those who brought the woman to Jesus were also in the position to be stoned to death, but because they were not caught in the act, they felt they could deceive Jesus as they had already succeeded in deceiving people by making them believe that they were clean. The really wanted to stone the woman, not because they were clean but because the felt the woman was too careless to have allowed herself to be caught in the act, while the man with whom she was committing the adultery escaped.

So, there actions were actually meant to pass a warning to the rest of the people to be careful and not to allow themselves to be caught in the act, but not really to stop the act. The climax of the scene was what Jesus said to the woman, having noticed that no one stoned her but all left instead; “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” – John 8: 11b.

Now, this is where many Christians misappropriate the grace nowadays. Since judgment is not immediate, the portion of that grace which they hold onto is the ‘GO’ aspect, ignoring blatantly the ‘SIN NO MORE’ area of it. Is it not inside the same bible that we read, “… Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” – Romans 6: 1. We should not forget the application of the grace is not complete if we continue to sin. The statement by grace was “… go, and sin no more” the book of proverbs has it thus: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso Confesseth and Forsaketh them shall have mercy.” – Proverbs 28: 13. Note, the emphasis is on confesseth and forsaketh, that is to say that the person must stop doing them in order to have the promised mercy.

Furthermore, do not also forget the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 5: 18, which says: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” What do you think of this? The law, inspite of the fact that it appeared to be swept under the mat of Grace shall be fulfilled without omission no matter what the case may be. And in Luke 16: 17, “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Matthew 24: 35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

While we live in the dispensation of grace, we should not forget that the law will stand longer; and all that was done in the flesh shall be put to judgment, and whatsoever the law found wanting would no longer be saved by grace at the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ for the second time. Matthew 7: 21 - 23 says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Doing the will of the father is abiding by the law and not hiding under the veil of grace.

All bible references and quotations are strictly from the King James version of the Holy Bible. While emphasis are the writers wherever they occur.

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