GOD'S CHARACTER vs THE CHARACTER OF GOD'S LAW

GOD'S CHARACTER vs THE CHARACTER OF GOD'S LAW
Steven Dubee

GOD vs THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. God is spiritual (Joh 4:24) His Law is spiritual (Rom 7:14)
2. God is love (1 Joh 4:8) His Law is love (Mat 22:37-40)
3. God is truth (Joh 14:6) His Law is truth (Ps 119:142)
4. God is righteous (1 Cor 1:30) His Law is righteous (Ps 119:142)
5. God is holy (Isa 6:3) His Law is holy (Rom 7:12)
6. God is perfect (Mat 5:48) His Law is perfect (Ps 19:7)
7. God is good (Luk 18:19) His Law is good (Rom 7:12)
8. God is just (Deu 32:4) His Law is just (Rom 7:12)
9. God is pure (1 Joh 3:3) His Law is pure (Ps 19:8)
10. God is unchangeable (Jam 1:17) His Law is unchangeable (Mat 5:18)

Ps 111:7-8 declares that God's Law stands forever. It cannot be done away with even if we try. If we want to do away with His law; we can just aswell do away with Him. How do you seperate the One from the other?

There are these four verses that people generally use against the Law:
Col 2:14 KJV  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Eph 2:15 KJV  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Rom 6:14 KJV  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Gal 3:10 KJV  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:13 KJV  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:23 KJV  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Before we tackle this topic headon can we just clarify what sin is according to the Bible.
1Jn 3:4 KJV  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

It is as clear as daylight that the Word of God declares the transgression of the law as sin. Note, this is a new testament verse, written long after Jesus assended to heaven.
When we think about the law, Moses comes to mind. He was very involved in writting down laws. This issue is the reason some of us forget that God's Law and Moses' law are different.
2Ki 21:8 KJV  Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

Let us have a look at God's Law.
Exo 31:18 KJV  And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Deu 10:1 KJV  At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
Deu 10:2 KJV  And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
Deu 10:3 KJV  And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.
Deu 10:4 KJV  And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.
Deu 10:5 KJV  And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

There are a few things we will find in these verses:
1. Written by God
2. Written with God's finger
3. Written on stone tablets
4. Placed in the Ark
5. Named the Ten Commandments
This law was actually written twice by God, on stone tablets with His finger. The first time Moses broke the tablets.

Now Moses' law
Deu 31:9 KJV  And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

Deu 31:24 KJV  And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
Deu 31:25 KJV  That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
Deu 31:26 KJV  Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Lev 23:10 KJV  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
Lev 23:13 KJV  And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
Lev 23:24 KJV  Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
Lev 23:25 KJV  Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 23:26 KJV  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 23:27 KJV  Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

1. Written by Moses
2. Own handwritting
3. In a book
4. Put in the side of the ark
5. Named- The Book of the Law
6. Against the people
7. Wave sheaf offerings
8. Meat snd drink offerings
9. Ceremonial sabbath days

If we go back to the verses used against the law we will notice that these verses are truly against the law; Moses' law written in a book, that is against the people and deals with offerings and ceremonial sabbaths. None of them touches God's Law.

Eph 2:8 KJV  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 KJV  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Balance
Rev 22:14 KJV  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Yes, we are under grace through faith, but why? Because we have sinned.
How do we identify sin according to the Bible? The transgression of God's Law.
Do we need to obey God's Law? Yes!

Jas 2:17 KJV  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:20 KJV  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jas 2:10 KJV  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jas 2:11 KJV  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

1Jn 5:1 KJV  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1Jn 5:2 KJV  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 KJV  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Heb 10:15 KJV  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 KJV  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 KJV  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.


Without the LAW there is no SIN.
Without SIN we do not need GRACE.
Without GRACE there is no need for CHRIST.
Without CHRIST no GOSPEL is needed.
Without the GOSPEL who needs a PREACHER.
Without a PREACHER there will be no CHURCH.

The New Covenant: Grace, Not Law

The New Covenant: Grace, Not Law

I will make a new covenant . . . not according to the covenant that I made . . . the gospel of the grace of God. (Jer_31:31-32 and Act_20:24) The old covenant of law was the covenant that God made with Israel "in the day that [He] took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt." The promise through Jeremiah was that the Lord would make a different type of covenant some day, "not according to [that] covenant." This new covenant would be a covenant of grace, provided by the Lord Jesus Christ. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Joh_1:17). The law of God was an impossible way to relate to the Lord. It required perfection, but it offered no perfecting assistance. It was able, however, to convince people of their need for the grace of Christ found in the new covenant. "The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ " (Gal_3:24). Now, we live and proclaim this new covenant of grace, the"new and living way which He consecrated for us" (Heb_10:20). This was the mission and message of which the Apostle Paul spoke. "The ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Act_20:24). The gospel is all about the grace of God, not about law. "The word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you . . . the grace of God" (Col_1:5-6). Gospel means "glad tidings," or "good news." The good news of the grace of God provided through Jesus Christ is the preeminent message in all of creation. In fact, the gospel of grace is such good news that some unbelievers initially reject it as "too good to be true." Indeed, it is an astounding reality to consider that forgiveness, justification, and new birth are all available "by grace . . . through faith . . . the gift of God, not of works" (Eph_2:8-9). Perhaps we should not be surprised that some believers react in this same manner when they begin to consider the message of grace for growth and sanctification. To hear that the entire Christian life is to be "grace upon grace" (Joh_1:16) may at first seem "too good to be true." At times, we may ask (or have others ask us), "Isn't there any human responsibility in God's plan of salvation?" The saved and unsaved alike must always be willing to respond to the offer of God's grace in Christ. We must all relate properly to the Lord Jesus for every work of grace, because it is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Co_8:9). In all matters, we must seek Him and trust in Him.

Lord God of the New Covenant, how glorious is the good news of Your grace! I praise You for Your patience when I act as though transforming grace is too good to be true. I want to seek after the Lord Jesus and trust in Him this day, with all my heart, Amen.

The Initial Grace of God

The Initial Grace of God

I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more . . . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (Jer_31:34 and Eph_2:8-9)
Again, we have the opportunity to compare justifying grace and sanctifying grace, initial grace and ongoing grace. This is always an edifying and valuable exercise, since we tend to forget that we are sanctified through the same means that we are justified.
The initial grace that impacted our lives forever was the justifying, forgiving grace of God. The prophets of old proclaimed this hope. The apostles of the church age applied it to us today. "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jer_31:34; also in Heb_8:12). When we repented of our sins and called upon the name of the Lord, we were forgiven and justified, declared not guilty and righteous in His sight.
This saving work of God on our behalf was all accomplished by the grace of God. "For by grace you have been saved." The saving grace of God is applied to lives as they trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. "By grace you have been saved through faith."
None of this process originates in man. All of it comes from God. "And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." No aspect of salvation derives from the efforts of man, so no one will ever be able to brag about their contribution in being saved. "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." All glory, now and forever, will go to the Lord Himself. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1Co_1:31).
Yes, even faith does not source in man. Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb_12:2). When we believed upon the Lord Jesus, it was in response to an authoring, revealing work that He was doing on our behalf. Jesus manifested Himself to us through the gospel as One who was able to save us sinners. The Holy Spirit was convicting us of our need. We trusted in His saving work for us. Thereby, He authored faith in us. "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev_5:12).
As we have seen previously, and will have opportunity to examine again and again, the grace of God of which we partook for new birth and justification is the same grace that must continually be at work in us for growth and sanctification.

O Lord God of my salvation, I clearly see the full extent to which my being saved depended upon Your saving grace!  Thank You for this priceless gift of grace. How glorious it is to stand justified in Your sight. Now, that I might grow daily in a life of sanctification, I look to You and Your necessary grace, Amen.

Righteousness through Christ in Justification

Righteousness through Christ in Justification

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace  (Rom_3:21-24)
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
In the gospel of Jesus Christ, "the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." It is the same righteousness that is spoken of in the law, that is, "being witnessed by the Law." However, in the law righteousness is an impossible standard being imposed. In the gospel, it is a gracious gift being offered.
This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. This gift is, of course, free to the recipients. Yet, it was made available at great cost to the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy us back from the slave market of sin and death.
Every person ever created needs this redemption price paid for them. "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, for all who believe in the Lord Jesus, the righteousness of God is imputed to them, that is, credited as a gift to their heavenly account. Thereby, the Lord God justifies us "freely by His grace." The Lord declares us righteous is in sight by giving to us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."

Dear Lord, I am so grateful that Your message of righteousness did not come through the law alone. Otherwise, Lord, I would have stood condemned before You forever. Thank You for speaking to us of righteousness through Your glorious gospel of grace. I exult in You that I am now  righteous in Your sight, through faith in Your beloved Son. Lord, I am learning that the righteousness I need for daily sanctification must also come from Jesus, by that same grace, through that same kind of trust. What good, good news is Your grand gospel! I magnify and praise You through Christ, my Lord, Amen.