Under Grace or Law?

Under Grace or Law?

Introduction:

Throughout first 3 chapters of Romans Paul establishes fact that mankind stands justly condemned before God for his sin. We may conclude God is just in condemning every one of us. Paul labors to explain law not the remedy for sin. Why? Only innocent are justified on the basis of law – but we are all guilty so law is not the remedy. What is the remedy? Grace!

I. Under the law all are guilty!

A. Law makes guilt apparent.

1. Rom. 4:15; 1 John. 3:4. the law makes us aware of our sin.

2. Law makes us aware of our need for mercy.

B. Rom. 3:19-20 – note 3:20 – no one justified through the law.

1. To seek justification on basis of law – one must keep it perfectly

2. Rom. 3:21-24 - since no one has kept law perfectly – all have sinned – we are saved by grace – not on the basis of law!

C. It necessary to obey – but obedience alone will not save! Rom. 4:1-2

1. Remember…”justified” means free of guilt.

a) Gal. 3:8-10 – justification by works requires perfect obedience to everything God commands.

b) Rom. 4:2- gives the person reason to boast.

D. A law system demands perfect obedience! (Galatians 3:10)

1. Imagine line = the standard we’re to live up to.

a) Mt. 5:21 – law said: no murder.

b) Mt. 5:27 – law said: no adultery.

c) Mt. 5:31- law said: divorce permissible

d) Mt. 5:33 – law said: no false vows

E. But none will perfectly live up to God’s law. We will fail somewhere!

II. The law of Christ is a HIGHER STANDARD!

A. Pure legalism missed the intent of the law! Mt. 5:22, 28, 32, 34-37

B. More than legalistically minded Jews ever thought to expect:

1. Mt. 5:48 – perfect; 1 Pet. 1:15-16 – holy

2. 1 John 3:3 – pure; 1 John 4:7-8 – love

3. Lk. 6:36 – exhibit mercy; 1 John 1:5-7 – walk in the light as God is in the light.

C. Hopeless? If we look at Christianity as only a set of laws it is!

D. Gal. 3:13 – Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law.

E. The curse of the law is that it demands perfection.

III. We are justified through faith.

A. Gal. 3:13-14 – Paul contrasts law w/faith.

1. Jesus made it possible for us to be forgiven! This is grace!

B. A contrast of terms in Romans 4.

C. Rom. 10:1-4 – Jews sought justification on merit basis and failed.

1. 10:3 – thought they could keep law perfectly & did not subject self to God.

2. Christians subject themselves to Jesus.

D. 10:4 – Jesus is the end of the law.

Conclusion:

A. Think of standard before us.

1. God is our father. We are to strive to know Him.

2. We to accept His will so that He lives in us & us in Him.



Under Grace or Law? Introduction: Throughout first 3 chapters of Romans Paul establishes fact that mankind stands justly condemned before God for his sin. We may conclude God is just in condemning every one of us. Paul labors to explain law not the remedy for sin. Why? Only innocent are justified on the basis of law – but we are all guilty so law is not the remedy. What is the remedy? Grace! I. Under the law all are guilty! A. Law makes guilt apparent. 1. Rom. 4:15; 1 John. 3:4. the law makes us aware of our sin. 2. Law makes us aware of our need for mercy. B. Rom. 3:19-20 – note 3:20 – no one justified through the law. 1. To seek justification on basis of law – one must keep it perfectly 2. Rom. 3:21-24 - since no one has kept law perfectly – all have sinned – we are saved by grace – not on the basis of law! C. It necessary to obey – but obedience alone will not save! Rom. 4:1-2 1. Remember…”justified” means free of guilt. a) Gal. 3:8-10 – justification by works requires perfect obedience to everything God commands. b) Rom. 4:2- gives the person reason to boast. D. A law system demands perfect obedience! (Galatians 3:10) 1. Imagine line = the standard we’re to live up to. a) Mt. 5:21 – law said: no murder. b) Mt. 5:27 – law said: no adultery. c) Mt. 5:31- law said: divorce permissible d) Mt. 5:33 – law said: no false vows E. But none will perfectly live up to God’s law. We will fail somewhere! II. The law of Christ is a HIGHER STANDARD! A. Pure legalism missed the intent of the law! Mt. 5:22, 28, 32, 34-37 B. More than legalistically minded Jews ever thought to expect: 1. Mt. 5:48 – perfect; 1 Pet. 1:15-16 – holy 2. 1 John 3:3 – pure; 1 John 4:7-8 – love 3. Lk. 6:36 – exhibit mercy; 1 John 1:5-7 – walk in the light as God is in the light. C. Hopeless? If we look at Christianity as only a set of laws it is! D. Gal. 3:13 – Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. E. The curse of the law is that it demands perfection. III. We are justified through faith. A. Gal. 3:13-14 – Paul contrasts law w/faith. 1. Jesus made it possible for us to be forgiven! This is grace! B. A contrast of terms in Romans 4. C. Rom. 10:1-4 – Jews sought justification on merit basis and failed. 1. 10:3 – thought they could keep law perfectly & did not *subject* self to God. 2. Christians *subject* themselves to Jesus. D. 10:4 – Jesus is the end of the law. Conclusion: A. Think of standard before us. 1. God is our father. We are to strive to know Him. 2. We to accept His will so that He lives in us & us in Him.