Post by jcthemosher on Dec 15, 2008 0:42:49 GMT -5
Grace versus Law - Which one are we living by?
Now a little bit of background to the following scripture. At the time the gentiles (non Jews) had been coming to Christ, some of the more zealous Jewish believers wanted to force these gentile believers to adopt all of the Jewish customs, so at this point we'll enter the debate that went on.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
(Acts 15:7-11)
Now here in Japan we meet so many people who have a lot of burdens in their life (and if you're in another part of the world you might have the experience). When they hear the simple Gospel of Christ they want to come and lay down their burdens at His feat and enter into His life and grace. However, it seem that here (and again probably the same elsewhere) that many churches want to place additional requirement or burdens on people in order for that person to become a gChristianh. This kind of thing turns many people off coming to Christ. We ought to examine ourselves to see that we are not creating stumbling blocks preventing others from coming to Christ. Are we living by law or grace? Here is a simple test consider the two following events from the Gospels: Firstly, The Rich Young Ruler. Secondly, The Criminal who was Crucified next to Christ.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
(Matthew 19:16-26)
Now there are many lessons in this particular scripture, but the main thought I want to share with you in this message is that the this young man was trying to justify himself by following the law. We know how ever that it is impossible for man to keep the whole law, that is the point of the law to show that we are sinners. So only through God's intervention can we be saved.
39 And one of the malefactors(criminals or evil-doers) which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
(Luke 23:39-43)
Look at this man, all he did was ask Jesus to remember him and he was saved. Just a simple act of faith on belief and God's grace broke through. No baptism, no church membership, etc. Now I don't want to belittle the importance of baptism or church membership as steps in our Christian walk, but they are not a requirement of our salvation and yet some (or perhaps many) would place these (and even other things), even if not explicitly as a requirement on becoming a Christian thus laying down extra burdens on people already burdened with too much. Now brothers and sisters I want you to remember the Grace of God that you were save by and for that to be your message you bring to others.
Grace and peace to you from your brother in Christ, James.
Now a little bit of background to the following scripture. At the time the gentiles (non Jews) had been coming to Christ, some of the more zealous Jewish believers wanted to force these gentile believers to adopt all of the Jewish customs, so at this point we'll enter the debate that went on.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
(Acts 15:7-11)
Now here in Japan we meet so many people who have a lot of burdens in their life (and if you're in another part of the world you might have the experience). When they hear the simple Gospel of Christ they want to come and lay down their burdens at His feat and enter into His life and grace. However, it seem that here (and again probably the same elsewhere) that many churches want to place additional requirement or burdens on people in order for that person to become a gChristianh. This kind of thing turns many people off coming to Christ. We ought to examine ourselves to see that we are not creating stumbling blocks preventing others from coming to Christ. Are we living by law or grace? Here is a simple test consider the two following events from the Gospels: Firstly, The Rich Young Ruler. Secondly, The Criminal who was Crucified next to Christ.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
(Matthew 19:16-26)
Now there are many lessons in this particular scripture, but the main thought I want to share with you in this message is that the this young man was trying to justify himself by following the law. We know how ever that it is impossible for man to keep the whole law, that is the point of the law to show that we are sinners. So only through God's intervention can we be saved.
39 And one of the malefactors(criminals or evil-doers) which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
(Luke 23:39-43)
Look at this man, all he did was ask Jesus to remember him and he was saved. Just a simple act of faith on belief and God's grace broke through. No baptism, no church membership, etc. Now I don't want to belittle the importance of baptism or church membership as steps in our Christian walk, but they are not a requirement of our salvation and yet some (or perhaps many) would place these (and even other things), even if not explicitly as a requirement on becoming a Christian thus laying down extra burdens on people already burdened with too much. Now brothers and sisters I want you to remember the Grace of God that you were save by and for that to be your message you bring to others.
Grace and peace to you from your brother in Christ, James.