Grace and the law – Christ fulfilled the law
Unlike all other nations, Israel was not to be distinguished by its natural resources, wealth or military power but by exemplary morality and close relationship with God (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
The law contained in the first five books of the Bible was based on rules and prescriptions to which men, who lived in nature, had to submit. If a person violated any point of the law, he was found guilty of violating the whole law.
James 2: 10 « 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. » KJV
No one can be justified by observing the law for no one was able to practice it fully and perfectly, at all times.
Galatians 2: 16 « 16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. » KJV
The law has been a schoolmaster to lead us to Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3: 24 « 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. » KJV
James 1 : 17 «17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. » KJV
The law is unable to change man. It is a master who tells us what to do without giving us the means to do so. The law is : « you must do, but you cannot do it ». The grace is : « God has done ».
Those who believe in Jesus Christ are no longer under the law, but under grace.
Romans 7:6 « 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. » KJV
Galatians 3 : 25 «25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. » KJV
No one is no longer obliged to observe the law because it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:17 « 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. » KJV
The « All is done » pronounced by the Lord before His death on the Cross was the fulfillment of the law. No one has been able to fulfill the law except Jesus Christ.
The law was concerned with people’s outward behavior while Jesus looks at what is happening in their hearts. The law condemned murder but Jesus anger and hatred in the human heart (Matthew 5:21-22). The law condemned adultery but Jesus the lust in the heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
Under the New Covenant, we are new creatures, born again (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our spirit has been recreated and God has written His law in our heart; His grace allows us to rule especially over sin, to transform our character and live in peace.
Legalism
Some believe that strict obedience to God’s laws is a way of gaining His favor; others also consider His law as a guide for living well.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians speaks of the place they gave to the law. They were convinced that God would accept them only on the basis of their adherence to the law (Galatians 4:9).
Even today, legalistic persons, “religious” persons, are often struck by spiritual sterility because the law does not carry life in it.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, fulfilled the law perfectly.
He also paid the price for our inability to obey the law.
