Understanding Grace and Law in God's Word
Discover the Transition from Old Testament Law to New Testament Grace
Explore the profound shift from the stringent laws of the Old Testament to the liberating grace offered through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Old Testament Law vs. New Testament Grace
From Rules to Relationship: The Evolution of God's Covenant
The Old Testament Law, also known as the Mosaic Law, was a comprehensive set of guidelines governing every aspect of Jewish life. It included moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that dictated behavior, worship, and societal interactions. These laws were given to Moses and were meant to set the Israelites apart as God’s chosen people.
In contrast, the New Testament introduces the concept of grace through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, a gift that cannot be earned through human effort. This shift from law to grace signifies a new covenant where salvation and a relationship with God are accessible to all through faith in Jesus Christ.
While the Old Testament focused on adherence to laws and rituals, the New Testament emphasizes faith, love, and the transformative power of grace. This grace, as embodied by Jesus, offers forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe, regardless of their past actions or adherence to the law.
Romans 6:14-23
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Sin no longer controls you, for you are now under grace and not the law. Choose to obey righteousness over sin, as it leads to everlasting life. Serve God wholeheartedly and bear fruit in holiness, receiving the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.” ~GF
Understanding "Grace"
Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits on the undeserving. It involves God’s goodness, favor, or blessings bestowed on those who do not deserve it, often defined as God’s unmerited favor. Understanding grace through a cursory look at the Old Testament reveals its centrality. Adam and Eve, after committing the first sin, received God’s grace. Although deserving death and eternal separation from God, they were covered with animal skins, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 1:29).
Justification by grace was a doctrine present in the Old Testament before Paul taught it in the New. In Genesis 3:15, scholars identify the “proto-gospel” where God promises to send a seed of the woman to undo the curse, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Despite humanity’s undeserving nature, God’s grace continues to be extended, showing His merciful nature.
Salvation by Grace
The Centrality of Grace in Christianity
In the Church Universal, salvation by grace is a foundational concept. It emphasizes that individuals cannot achieve salvation through their own efforts or good deeds. Instead, salvation is a gift from God, made possible through the grace of Jesus Christ. This grace is unmerited and freely given, underscoring the belief that no amount of human effort can earn God’s favor. The apostle Paul, in his letters, repeatedly highlights that salvation is not by works but by faith in Jesus Christ, so that no one can boast. This central tenet of grace is what differentiates Christianity from many other belief systems, placing the focus entirely on God’s love and mercy.
Continual Access to God
Grace and the New Covenant
Under the Old Testament law, access to the holy place in the temple was restricted to certain individuals and specific times. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and even then, only once a year. This limited access symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. However, the New Testament introduces a radical shift through the concept of grace. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, believers now have continual access to God. This grace allows all who have faith in Jesus to approach God directly, without the need for intermediaries. It signifies a new covenant where the barriers of the past are removed, and a personal relationship with God is made possible for everyone.
Exploring the Connection Between Grace and Law
What about Israel, who was given the Ten Commandments and the rest of the law? God didn’t operate according to grace with them, right? Not so fast. The basis of God’s relationship with Israel was His gracious election of Abraham, a pagan nomad. There is no indication in Scripture that God chose Abraham because of something meritorious within him. In fact, Scripture says that Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness, which Paul argues is a demonstration that Abraham was justified by grace rather than works. The doctrine of justification by grace was an Old Testament doctrine long before Paul taught it in the New, highlighting the profound significance of God’s grace in the lives of His people throughout history. (Gen. 15:6), (Rom. 4:2-5, 16).
It’s crucial to acknowledge that God granted Israel the law post their salvation. When the Israelites sought deliverance from Egypt, God didn’t demand obedience to the law as a prerequisite for rescue. Instead, He showed undeserved favor to a people in need. This grace was further exemplified through their deliverance from the 10th plague, where God’s wrath was unleashed on Egypt. Despite Israel also deserving punishment, God provided a way out. By marking their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb, the Israelites were spared from the impending disaster.
Grace in the Old Testament
God’s grace extends beyond the Israelites to individuals, as demonstrated through the story of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho. Despite her past, Rahab and her family were spared, highlighting the limitless reach of God’s grace even to those society may see as unworthy.
Consider David, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). Despite his flaws, such as his involvement in the scandal with Bathsheba and Uriah, leading to his son’s death, David humbly confessed his sins before God and experienced His forgiveness and steadfast love. This narrative serves as a powerful example of God’s grace and mercy towards those who seek repentance and redemption.(Ps. 32:5; 86:5).
Jonah, called by God to preach to Nineveh, a nation known for its heinous war crimes against God’s people, initially resisted the divine command and attempted to flee in the opposite direction. His reluctance stemmed not from fear of public speaking, but from his belief in God’s mercy towards the repentant. True to Jonah’s expectations, the people of Nineveh responded positively to his brief sermon, prompting a city-wide repentance and averting the destruction Jonah had feared.
Jonah’s anger towards God stemmed from His overwhelming mercy and compassion, as he expressed in his complaint to the Lord. Jonah’s knowledge of God’s character, as described in Exodus 34:6 and reiterated throughout the Old Testament, led him to flee from God’s call. He understood that God’s gracious nature surpassed his own, causing him to seek escape. Like Jonah, we too often desire judgment on our enemies, but we serve a God who delights in showing grace to even the least deserving individuals.
While there are certainly differences between the Old and New Testaments, God’s character is consistent throughout eternity. That consistency should give us hope, reminding us that we don’t serve a God who became gracious over time but rather a God who has always been, is presently, and will always be gracious. The entire Bible beautifully narrates the story of this unchanging God, and the grace that fills its pages is freely extended to each of us, offering comfort, forgiveness, and redemption to all who seek it.
Grace: The Greatest Gift
Grace is often described as the greatest free gift offered to humanity. Unlike the deserved death and judgment that come as a consequence of sin, grace is entirely unearned and undeserved. It is through grace that God offers eternal life and forgiveness, despite our shortcomings. This gift of grace is epitomized in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins while we were still sinners. The apostle Paul eloquently captures this in his writings, emphasizing that it is by grace we are saved, not by our works. This profound truth highlights the depth of God’s love and the transformative power of grace in the lives of believers.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works
Upon election, known as “the election of grace,” the apostle constructs an argument demonstrating the contrast between grace and works in this matter. It is shown that it must be one or the other; if by grace, then not by works, as they cannot be mixed in this regard. Election being “by grace” is based on God’s sovereign pleasure and unmerited love, rather than any merit or actions on the part of individuals. Therefore, it is not influenced by works, does not depend on them, as it predates any actions taken. Good deeds that follow election stem from it, but they are not the basis or conditions of it.
otherwise grace is no more grace;
for Grace is truly grace when it is freely given. If it comes with conditions, it loses its essence and should no longer be called grace, but rather a debt owed. The selection of individuals for salvation should not be seen as a decision that God can freely make or withhold, but rather as an obligation owed as a reward for their actions.
but if it be of works, then it is no more grace;
If election is determined by human actions, then it should not be attributed to divine grace. If this is the case, there is no element of grace involved.
otherwise work is no more work;
The concept of salvation is complex and multifaceted, with various elements such as election, justification, and pardon of sin forming integral parts of this process. These components are distinct yet interconnected, each playing a crucial role in the overall scheme of man’s salvation. The Ethiopic version specifically highlights the significance of justification in this intricate web of divine grace and redemption.
Justification by Grace
Made Right with God
God’s Word specifies three types of grace: prevenient grace, which is God’s active presence in people’s lives before they even sense the divine at work in their lives; justifying grace, through which all sins are forgiven by God; and sanctifying grace, which allows people to grow in their ability to live like Jesus.
Justification by grace is a cornerstone of the one true Church Universal, emphasizing that we are made right with God not through our own efforts but through His unmerited favor. This concept is vividly illustrated in the New Testament, particularly through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By dying for our sins, Jesus bridged the gap between humanity and God, offering us a path to salvation that we could never achieve on our own. This act of grace means that despite our shortcomings and sins, we are seen as righteous in the eyes of God because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
God's Greatest Gift
The Ultimate Demonstration of Grace
God’s gift of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of His grace. John 3:16 encapsulates this profound truth: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ This verse highlights the depth of God’s love and the incredible gift of eternal life offered to all who believe in Jesus. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we receive the promise of eternal life, a gift that is freely given and cannot be earned. This act of grace underscores the central message of the New Testament: salvation is a gift from God, available to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Examples of Grace
The New Testament is replete with examples of God’s grace in action, demonstrating His unconditional love and forgiveness. One such example is the parable of the Prodigal Son, where a wayward son is welcomed back with open arms by his father, symbolizing God’s readiness to forgive and restore those who repent.
Another powerful illustration is the story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus extends grace by telling her accusers, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ These stories, among others, highlight the transformative power of grace, showing that no matter how far we stray, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us.
Grace is God’s kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favour and spiritual blessing. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Reflect on Grace
Take a moment to ponder the profound concept of grace and its transformative power in your life. Dive deeper into understanding how God’s unmerited favor can bring about a meaningful change in your spiritual journey.
