Massive confusion exists within Christianity about Law and Grace. The New Testament clearly says we are "saved by grace" (Ephesians 2:8). The word "grace" means unmerited favor toward undeserving sinners. Because we have sinned against God, we deserve only doom and "death" (Romans 6:23). Nevertheless, God still loves us and longs to save us by His grace apart from "the works of the law" (Romans 3:28). In His infinite mercy, Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3,4). If we repent and believe in Him, He will freely forgive us (1 John 1:9; Acts 20:20). This is the "Good News" of the gospel.
So what about the law? Has it disappeared? Read each verse below carefully, and may "the Spirit of truth…guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
Revelation Describes People Loyal to Jesus Christ AND God's Law
Revelation 11:19 - "The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." Inside the heavenly ark are the original Ten Commandments (see Deut. 10:1-5).
Revelation 12:17 - "The dragon was enraged with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Revelation 14:9-12 - Revelation describes a battle between "the beast" and "the saints ... that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
Revelation 21:8 - Among those who finally end up in "the lake of fire" are "murderers" (6th commandment), whoremongers (7th commandment), "idolaters" (2nd commandment), and "all liars" (9th commandment).
Revelation 22:14,21 - "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 ... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (KJV)
Don't Be Fooled! The Big Ten Remain in the New Testament
Matthew 5:17-19,21,22,27,28 - Jesus Christ did not come to "destroy the law." He showed the spiritual depth of the 6th and 7th commandments.
Luke 16:17,18 - Jesus said, "It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than o¬ne tittle of the law to fail." He then quoted the 7th commandment.
Romans 7:7,12 - Paul quoted the 10th commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." He then said this very law "is holy ... just and good."
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Paul said children should keep the 5th commandment, "Honor thy father and mother."
James 2:12 - James quotes the 6th and 7th commandments as applicable to Christians.
1 John 5:21 - John warned, "little children, keep yourselves from idols" (breaking the 2nd commandment).
Sin is Breaking the Ten Commandments
1 John 3:4 - "Sin is the transgression of the law."
Romans 3:20 - "By the law is the knowledge of sin."
Rom. 7:7 - Paul wrote, "I would not have known sin but by the law…Thou shalt not covet."
James 2:11 - Anyone who breaks the 6th or 7th commandment has become "a transgressor of the law."
Jesus Died Because We have Broken the Law of God
1 John 3:4 - "Sin is the transgression of the law."
1 Corinthians 15:3 - "Christ died for our sins."
Isaiah 53:5 - "But He was wounded for our transgressions."
The Law Reveals our Sins and Points Us to Jesus Christ
Romans 7:7,13,24,25 - "I would not have known sin but by the law ... that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful ... who shall deliver me ... I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Galatians 3:24 - "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified [forgiven, "set right" with God] by faith."
We are Saved by Grace, Not by the Works of the Law
Romans 3:24 - We are "justified [forgiven] freely by his grace."
Romans 3:26 - God is "the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Romans 3:28 - "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are you saved through faith ... not of works."
Through the Holy Spirit, Believers Can Keep the Law of God
Acts 2:38 - "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Romans 8:4 - "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 3:31 - "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
Romans 6:1,6 - "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid."
1 John 5:3 - "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments."
Revelation 12:17 - A final remnant will "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Revelation 14:12 - The final "saints" will "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
Antichrist is Against Jesus Christ AND the Law of God
Daniel 7:25 - The little horn [Antichrist] will try to change the Law of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3,7 - Antichrist is called "that man of sin." Sin is breaking "the law" (1 John 3:4). Antichrist is also "the mystery of iniquity." Many Bible versions translate this as "the mystery of lawlessness" because the Greek word for "iniquity" literally means "lawlessness."
Jesus said, "If you love Me,
keep My commandments."
(A direct quote from Exodus 20:6)
Do you love Jesus?