8.15 Understanding the law – the law demanded for perfect righteousness
Before one can understand grace, one must understand the law. So we shall begin by explaining the law before we proceed to explain grace.
The Law Demanded for Righteousness
The central focus of the law is the Ten Commandments which were written on stones by the finger of God (Ex 34:28). It is contains the DEMANDS of a Holy God upon sinful men. God demanded in this manner - “You shall…”, “You shall…”, “You shall…”
Col 2:14 calls the Ten Commandments – “the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.” For the sinner, the law incriminated him and rendered him a debtor to God. There was no way a bankrupt could pay.
The Law Must Be Kept Completely and Perfectly
Deut 6:25 says that righteousness is through keeping ALL the commandments of the law.
(Deut 6:25)
Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe ALL these commandments before the Lord our God…
James 2:10 says that those who keep the law but stumble at one point shall be guilty of breaking the whole law. The laws of God have to be kept perfectly. It is the plumb line for sin. There is no difference between one or many transgressions. God is holy and even the smallest sin would disqualify a person under law. One sin committed by Adam resulted in the fall of man.
(James 2:10)
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all.
Today, for those who (knowingly or unknowingly) live under the basis of law in the new covenant, they have to keep the law 100%. If they fail even 1%, the law incriminates him as though he failed 100%. There are grave consequences associated with breaking the law – he will be subject to the curses of the law detailed in Deuteronomy 28.
(Galatians 3:10)
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
Therefore, it is a serious matter with clear consequences to live under the system of law. This is why the Bible tells us that we have to be living on the basis of grace.
The Law Demanded for Righteousness
The central focus of the law is the Ten Commandments which were written on stones by the finger of God (Ex 34:28). It is contains the DEMANDS of a Holy God upon sinful men. God demanded in this manner - “You shall…”, “You shall…”, “You shall…”
Col 2:14 calls the Ten Commandments – “the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.” For the sinner, the law incriminated him and rendered him a debtor to God. There was no way a bankrupt could pay.
The Law Must Be Kept Completely and Perfectly
Deut 6:25 says that righteousness is through keeping ALL the commandments of the law.
(Deut 6:25)
Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe ALL these commandments before the Lord our God…
James 2:10 says that those who keep the law but stumble at one point shall be guilty of breaking the whole law. The laws of God have to be kept perfectly. It is the plumb line for sin. There is no difference between one or many transgressions. God is holy and even the smallest sin would disqualify a person under law. One sin committed by Adam resulted in the fall of man.
(James 2:10)
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all.
Today, for those who (knowingly or unknowingly) live under the basis of law in the new covenant, they have to keep the law 100%. If they fail even 1%, the law incriminates him as though he failed 100%. There are grave consequences associated with breaking the law – he will be subject to the curses of the law detailed in Deuteronomy 28.
(Galatians 3:10)
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
Therefore, it is a serious matter with clear consequences to live under the system of law. This is why the Bible tells us that we have to be living on the basis of grace.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 8:07 PM
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