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? ______________________!

I. Under the law _________________ are guilty!

A. Law makes guilt ____________________.

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 _____________.

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

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

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

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

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

b) Rom. 4:2- would give the person reason to ____________.

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

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

a) Mt. 5:21 – law said: no _________________.

b) Mt. 5:27 – law said: no ___________________.

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

d) Mt. 5:33 – law said: no ____________ ____________.

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

II. The law of Christ is a _______________ 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 – ____________; 1 Pet. 1:15-16 – _____________

2. 1 John 3:3 – ______________; 1 John 4:7-8 – ________________

3. Lk. 6:36 – exhibit __________________; 1 John 1:5-7 – ______________ in the _______________ 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 __________________ of the law.

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

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 ______________! This is grace!

B. A contrast of terms in Romans 4.

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

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

2. Christians subject themselves to ___________________.

D. 10:4 – Jesus is ___________ _____________ 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? ______________________! I. Under the law _________________ are guilty! A. Law makes guilt ____________________. 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 _____________. 1. To seek justification on basis of law – one must keep it ____________ 2. Rom. 3:21-24 - since no one has kept law perfectly – all have sinned – we are saved by ____________ – not on the basis of _________! C. It necessary to _________ – but obedience ______ will not save! Rom. 4:1-2 1. Remember…”justified” means free of ____________. a) Gal. 3:8-10 – justification by works requires perfect obedience to everything God commands. b) Rom. 4:2- would give the person reason to ____________. D. A law system demands perfect obedience! (Galatians 3:10) 1. Imagine the standard we’re to live up to. a) Mt. 5:21 – law said: no _________________. b) Mt. 5:27 – law said: no ___________________. c) Mt. 5:31- law said: ______________________ permissible d) Mt. 5:33 – law said: no ____________ ____________. E. But none will perfectly live up to God’s law. We will fail somewhere! II. The law of Christ is a _______________ 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 – ____________; 1 Pet. 1:15-16 – _____________ 2. 1 John 3:3 – ______________; 1 John 4:7-8 – ________________ 3. Lk. 6:36 – exhibit __________________; 1 John 1:5-7 – ______________ in the _______________ 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 __________________ of the law. E. The curse of the law is that it demands ____________________. 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 ______________! This is grace! B. A contrast of terms in Romans 4. C. Rom. 10:1-4 – Jews sought justification on _____________ basis and failed. 1. 10:3 – thought they could keep law perfectly & did not *_______________* self to God. 2. Christians *subject* themselves to ___________________. D. 10:4 – Jesus is ___________ _____________ 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.