Law and grace, both have their place! Grace without law is cheap grace, ignoring the fact that Christ had to die for our transgressions of God’s law. On the contrary, we all know that law without grace produces legalism and works righteousness. But how many today know that grace without law breeds chaos and moral anarchy? That’s what we’re experiencing.
Society without law cannot function. A society without God’s law results in eventual chaos. The Founders of our country knew that “if men were angels, government would not be necessary.” But mankind is corrupt and sinful and needs restraints and punishment to have any meaningful order or progress. The Founders knew that government also needs restraints. The problem with so-called “progressives” today is that they want to make their own rules and morality. This has created confusion and paralysis in our culture.
The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17. In other words, grace and truth in Jesus are even better than law. Many try to say the Old Testament law and Old Testament God were harsh and bad. But God has not changed! His commandments are a function of his grace and compassion. But he is a just God who sets standards, and justice is impossible without the force of law. Grace does not free us from all standards, it enables us to live by those standards! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The realization that we have broken God’s law is what leads us to His grace and salvation. It helps us see our need for a Savior. Jesus said, “unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. When we humble ourselves and repent, we can enter into the grace that sets us free from sin and guilt. This enables us to live the kingdom way: “the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17
Many today are trying to enter the kingdom of God without humbling themselves and being born again, as Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to do. The peace and joy are only possible if we are seeking right living through Jesus. Being conscious of sin is not enough. We are to turn away from it. Paul defines right living as “a righteousness that comes by faith” (Romans 3:21). Likewise, these are all possible by the Holy Spirit living within us. Right living is not perfection. I have often said that if you’re so worried about righteousness that you lose your peace and joy, you have probably slipped into legalism. if you are not careful, you can set an impossible standard for yourself and for others.
But the kingdom of God is a balance: righteousness (given by God), peace (given by Jesus) and joy (given by the Holy Spirit). We can receive these by faith and let us walk in them this week!
Lord, remind of the true balance of right living with peace and joy in the power of the Holy Spirit! Thank you that this blessed life is possible through faith in Christ Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Help us to walk in the fullness of his forgiveness and goodness. Help us to not be so hard on ourselves or others that we lose our peace and joy. Help us to extend grace, knowing the law is necessary to show us our need. Lord, help us to avoid the twin problems of legalism on one hand, and cheap grace on the other. Help us to find the middle path, not forsaking your laws, but fulfilling them by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Thank you that Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial laws (from Moses) and left us the Lord’s Supper to commemorate his death. Thank you that the civil laws of the Old Testament can still be used as guidelines by civil societies. But more importantly, your moral law never changes and still is our guide for right living. Thank you for the peace that comes as we seek your kingdom.
We continue to pray for those Americans and military in harm’s way in Afghanistan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.