Law and Grace The soul grows great, useful, and happy, not by what it denies, but by what it cordially affirms and loves. David Swing (1830-1894) 3/17/2019

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:17-20 There are two ditches we should seek to avoid: legalist and lawless. Jesus was neither.

Matthew 5:19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Great Quote “The law is not the source of our righteousness but it is forever the course of rightness.” Willard

Antinomianism “Against the law” or “no law” Martin Luther 1539 – Against the Antinomians written to refute Johannes Agricola I’m under grace don’t judge me!

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 6:2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? By no means = No, never, not even possible

Romans 6:14-15 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Romans 7:11-13 …So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means!...

Luke 10:25-28 …what is written in the Law? How do you read it? …And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”...

…If you would enter life, keep the commandments.... Matthew 19:16-22 …If you would enter life, keep the commandments....

The New Covenant For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jer. 31:33, Heb. 8:10

Galatians 3:21-26 …So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith…

Guardian paidagōgós "a child under development by strict instruction" – properly, a legally appointed overseer, authorized to train (bring) up a child by administering discipline, chastisement, and instruction, i.e. doing what was necessary to promote development. –Greek Helps

Matthew 23:1-3 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:22 Matthew 7:12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 15:12 - This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:17 - These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

For Our Consideration What role do you believe the law of God holds in the believer’s life? How do you define legalism? How do you reconcile law and grace? What is the ultimate point of our freedom in Christ?

Prayer Focus Thank You Father for the glorious Gospel announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ! Thank You for Your Word to lead and guide us daily into all truth. Thank You for Your love and lavished grace poured upon us.