Although we planned to begin a new topic, I decided to continue our study on grace and how it compares to the Law of Moses, or the Old Testament.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17
The Law required an outward show of moral excellence. Grace requires moral excellence from the heart. The law could not tell if someone hated their brother inwardly, while going through the outward motions of
being righteous.
No one could tell if a man or woman was coveting his neighbor’s goods, wife, husband, or other things, unless he acted that covetousness out and was exposed. Such was the case in John chapter 8, where a woman was brought to Jesus who had been supposedly CAUGHT in the very act of adultery (John 8:1-11).
My friend, John Fenn, says "grace requires purity of heart, motive, and thoughts towards one another.’"
I believe this is correct, and to live by grace is not always easy. It requires staying close to the Lord, drawing upon His power, His favor and strength. That is why we are commanded to boldly come to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Most of us have heard the story of the little boy who, after being naughty, was told to stand in the corner by the teacher. He replied, “I am standing on the outside, but sitting down on the inside.” That is why people could be under the law outwardly moral but inwardly wretched, and with no real desire to change.
Look at how Jesus spoke concerning the religious leaders of His day:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:27
Jesus did not come just to give us more rules to follow outwardly, He came to give us eternal life, and the power to live a holy life from the inside out. Yes, we are still in the process of being made holy and blameless experientially, but as believers in Christ, we are new creatures and being conformed into His image.
In some ways, therefore, it is more difficult to live in the New Covenant than the Old Covenant, because the New Covenant is based upon spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)
For us to live this new life in Christ we must totally depend upon His life, His grace, His power to sustain us, to flow through us. In ourselves we are incapable of living the life God has ordained. Jesus will always be the Vine and we will always be the branch (John 15).
In the New Covenant, murder is something of the heart; adultery is a matter of the heart. God, therefore, is looking at our heart, more than our outward actions.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1John 3:14-15
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
Even under the Law, God wanted righteousness from the heart and not simply lip service. He wanted His people to truly love Him and worship Him out of a pure heart.
Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men….Isaiah 29:13.
This still happens today. People can be in a church service, with their minds on the football game or the roast in the oven and not even focused on what the Holy Spirit is doing or saying. If we are honest, most of us have "been there and done that."
God is merciful, and will help us, if we turn to Him and receive His grace. He knows our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Jesus came to save us from our sins, and to give us grace to empower us to live a life pleasing to Him.
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28
The apostle Paul realized his need for grace and empowerment from the Lord. He told the church at Philippi; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Over the past few weeks, we have learned how grace empowers us; has boundaries; requires us to serve God out of a pure heart, a heart that is transparent and honest before Him, even when we feel weak or are struggling in an area of weakness.
That is when we can come to His throne of GRACE to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We will begin a new topic next week, but until then, may God richly bless you and keep you through His grace and mercy.
James Brown CST 01/20/2022