Saturday, March 28, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Contrasts Between Law And Grace Part 2
Let these contrasts between law and grace really sink into your heart and mind and praise God that you are now under grace:
1. The law stops us from coming to God - Grace invites us to come just as we are. “Just as I am, without one plea”.
2. The law condemns the sinner - Grace redeems him.
3. The law says, “Do this and live” - Grace says, “It is done.”
4. The law says, “Try” - Grace says, “It is finished.”
5. The law curses the sinner - Grace blesses the believer.
6. The law kills the sinner - Grace saves him.
7. The law shuts every mouth before God - Grace opens the mouth in praise to God.
8. The law condemns the best man - Grace saves the worst.
9. The law says, “Pay what you owe” - Grace says, “It is paid.”
10. The law says, “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH” - Grace says, “THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.”
11. The law reveals man's sin - Grace atones for man's sin.
12. The law brings the knowledge of sin - Grace provides redemption from sin.
13. The law was given by Moses - Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
14. The law demands obedience - Grace gives power to obey.
15. The law was written on stone - Grace is written in the heart.
16. The law was done away with in Christ - Grace abides forever.
17. The law puts you under bondage - Grace sets you free.
I want you to know that I will never give up my position under grace to put myself back under the curse of the law. I will never give up my security in Christ to go back to trying to keep myself saved by good works.
1. The law stops us from coming to God - Grace invites us to come just as we are. “Just as I am, without one plea”.
2. The law condemns the sinner - Grace redeems him.
3. The law says, “Do this and live” - Grace says, “It is done.”
4. The law says, “Try” - Grace says, “It is finished.”
5. The law curses the sinner - Grace blesses the believer.
6. The law kills the sinner - Grace saves him.
7. The law shuts every mouth before God - Grace opens the mouth in praise to God.
8. The law condemns the best man - Grace saves the worst.
9. The law says, “Pay what you owe” - Grace says, “It is paid.”
10. The law says, “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH” - Grace says, “THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.”
11. The law reveals man's sin - Grace atones for man's sin.
12. The law brings the knowledge of sin - Grace provides redemption from sin.
13. The law was given by Moses - Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
14. The law demands obedience - Grace gives power to obey.
15. The law was written on stone - Grace is written in the heart.
16. The law was done away with in Christ - Grace abides forever.
17. The law puts you under bondage - Grace sets you free.
I want you to know that I will never give up my position under grace to put myself back under the curse of the law. I will never give up my security in Christ to go back to trying to keep myself saved by good works.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Contrast Between Law And Grace
The Contrast Between Law And Grace (2 Corinthians 3:5-18)
Paul is speaking about the law in its narrowest sense referring to the Ten Commandments. Paul is contrasting the law with grace, by giving this description of the law:
1. The law is “the letter” - not “of the spirit” (v.6).
2. This “letter kills” but “The Spirit gives life” (v.6).
3. The law is “the ministry of death . . . carved in stone” accompanied by a temporary glory (v.7).
4. The “The ministry of the Spirit” has a greater permanent glory (v.8).
5. The law was “The ministry of condemnation” (v.9).
6. Grace is “The ministry of righteousness” (v.9).
7. The law was “being brought to an end” (v.11, 13).
8. Grace is “permanent” (v.11).
9. The law was a “veil” that prevented approach to the presence of God (v.14-15).
10. Under grace “When one turns to the Lord the veil is removed (v.16).
In the light of this why would any Christian want to go back under the law? Why go back under the ministry of condemnation and death? Anyone who wants to go back to the feasts, to observance of days, to dietary laws etc. does not understand the law and does not understand grace.
Paul is speaking about the law in its narrowest sense referring to the Ten Commandments. Paul is contrasting the law with grace, by giving this description of the law:
1. The law is “the letter” - not “of the spirit” (v.6).
2. This “letter kills” but “The Spirit gives life” (v.6).
3. The law is “the ministry of death . . . carved in stone” accompanied by a temporary glory (v.7).
4. The “The ministry of the Spirit” has a greater permanent glory (v.8).
5. The law was “The ministry of condemnation” (v.9).
6. Grace is “The ministry of righteousness” (v.9).
7. The law was “being brought to an end” (v.11, 13).
8. Grace is “permanent” (v.11).
9. The law was a “veil” that prevented approach to the presence of God (v.14-15).
10. Under grace “When one turns to the Lord the veil is removed (v.16).
In the light of this why would any Christian want to go back under the law? Why go back under the ministry of condemnation and death? Anyone who wants to go back to the feasts, to observance of days, to dietary laws etc. does not understand the law and does not understand grace.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Legalism Defined
Legalism could be defined as any attempt to rely on self effort to
either attain or maintain our justification before God. Legalism denies
that Christ is completely sufficient for salvation. It is the belief
that some additional element of self-effort, merit or faithfulness on
our part is necessary to maintain a just standing before God.
This is the idea that we are saved by faith alone but our ultimate salvation depends on our works. Or we are saved by grace but kept by keeping the law. This is not just ignorance of grace but a greater ignorance of the law.
This is the idea that we are saved by faith alone but our ultimate salvation depends on our works. Or we are saved by grace but kept by keeping the law. This is not just ignorance of grace but a greater ignorance of the law.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
What It Means To Be Justified
To be justified doesn't mean that our behavior has changed it means that we are treated differently based on a new view of who we are. For someone to be justified means they are no different than they were before but they are counted or viewed differently. A proper understanding of this new view is what will ultimately change our behavior because we are no longer considered enemies of God but friends. A dynamic change has happened inside but it does not clearly appear on the outside. The gospel transforms you from the inside out. Most people assume that what it means to be a christian is to promise to be good or to live a good life and try really hard to follow Jesus. This is not the essence of Christianity. To become a christian is not just to become good. Becoming good is the result of becoming a Christian.
When you are justified it doesn't mean you no longer sin and are now sinless and perfect, it means you're no longer viewed by God in the same way. Even though you still sin your sins can no longer bring you into condemnation, you are accepted by God and are righteous in his sight.
When you are justified it doesn't mean you no longer sin and are now sinless and perfect, it means you're no longer viewed by God in the same way. Even though you still sin your sins can no longer bring you into condemnation, you are accepted by God and are righteous in his sight.
Friday, March 6, 2015
All You Need To Know
All you need to know: "What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
The conjunction "If" brings uncertainty to our minds, the dictionary says it is an uncertain possibility. But in the Greek language it means "if as is the case" or we would say "in view of the fact" or "sense" God is for us, it is an affirmation. The gospel tells us that God is really for us in Christ Jesus. Not only that but he will never be against us in this lifetime or the next. On the cross God was against Jesus so that he could be for all those who are united to Christ by faith. Tell yourself God is for me, think about it, rest in it, God is for you.
The conjunction "If" brings uncertainty to our minds, the dictionary says it is an uncertain possibility. But in the Greek language it means "if as is the case" or we would say "in view of the fact" or "sense" God is for us, it is an affirmation. The gospel tells us that God is really for us in Christ Jesus. Not only that but he will never be against us in this lifetime or the next. On the cross God was against Jesus so that he could be for all those who are united to Christ by faith. Tell yourself God is for me, think about it, rest in it, God is for you.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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