THE DOCTRINE OF
THE PROPER
RELATIONSHIP OF LAW TO GOSPEL
A look at God’s Word by
The doctrine that God wants us to
believe and teach does not consist of human opinion, or even of what
men have
deduced from the words of Scripture. On the contrary, the doctrine that
God
wants taught is the doctrine He has clearly and explicitly stated in
the Words of
Scripture. He wants us to believe and teach what He has said, not what
we (or
anyone else) think.
That being said, the Bible contains
two totally different and distinct messages, or doctrines, the Law, and
the
Gospel. The Law is God’s message to the unrepentant. It exposes his sin
and
warns of God’s wrath. In contrast, the Gospel is God’s message to those
who
repent and turn to Christ. Through it God assures us of His mercy and
forgiveness, and through that assurance He brings us to faith in Christ
(Romans
The Law Cannot Make Us Righteous
Romans
[NOTE: Paul goes on to quote several passages
from the
Old Testament which prove that no one is righteous in the sight of God.
Ps.
14:2,3, Ps.5:9 and 140:3, Ps. 10:7, Is.
59:7-8, Ps.
36:1.]
Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever
the law says, it
says to those who are under the law: that every mouth may be
stopped, and the entire world may become guilty
before God. Therefore no flesh will ever be declared righteous
[justified] in
God’s sight by the deeds of the law: because the knowledge of sin comes
by the
law.
[COMMENT:
Verse 19 tells us that the Law is God’s message to those who are “under the law” (the unrepentant). And,
the fact that the Law makes the entire world “guilty
before God” tells us that everyone in the world is under
the Law. Verse 20 then tells us that no one [“no flesh”] will ever be
declared
righteous [justified] through doing what the Law demands, because the
Law was
given to show us our sin (and need of a Savior).]
[NOTE: God works through the Law to call
men to repentance and mercy.
However, men can make the Law of no effect by rationalizing, or
excusing, sin
(Mark
Righteousness Comes Only
Through the Gospel
Romans 3:21-24 But now the
righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the
righteousness of God which comes through faith in Jesus Christ to
all and upon all who believe: for there is no difference: For all
have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified [declared
righteous] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus.
Romans 4:3
For what does the scripture say?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Romans
[COMMENT: The first passage (Rom.
[NOTE:
Because the Law was given to show us our sin (and need of a Savior), we
only
submit to [obey] the Law when we admit our sin and look to Christ for
forgiveness (
Salvation Has Always Been Through Faith In
Christ.
Galatians 3:8 The Word of God, having foreseen that
God would justify the heathen through faith, proclaimed the
gospel to Abraham in advance, saying, In you shall all nations
be blessed.
Galatians 3:6 Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Galatians
Galatians 3:17
My point is this, the covenant concerning faith in Christ, that
was
confirmed by God at the time of Abraham, cannot
be nullified by the law, which came four hundred and thirty years
later, so
as to make the promise of no effect.
Galatians 3:7 Realize
therefore that those who trust in Christ are the children of Abraham.
Acts
[COMMENT:
These verses tell us that Abraham “believed” the “Gospel” (the good
news of
forgiveness in Christ, 1Cor. 15:1-3) and through faith in the Gospel
received
the righteousness that is imputed “apart from the Law” (Rom.
Genesis
Hebrews 11:4 By
faith Abel
offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which (faith) he
was
declared to be righteous.
Romans 4:6-8 David also describes the
blessedness of
the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works, Saying,
Blessed are
they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed
is the
man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, without receiving the promises, but
having seen
them afar off, believed them, and embraced them, acknowledging that
they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John
[Comment:
Adam and Eve received the same promise that was given to Abraham, the
promise
of a “seed” (descendant) who would break the power of sin. Since
righteousness
comes only through faith in God’s promise (of forgiveness in Christ),
Able was
counted as righteous because of his faith in Christ, not works. In the
same
way, all who were saved before the time of Christ were saved through
faith in
the “the Messiah, the Savior of the
world,” not works. (See Heb. 11:1-40
and 12:1-2.)]
All Of God’s Promises Are Ours Through
Faith In Christ
2Corinthians
Galatians 3:5-6 Did
God give
you His Spirit, and work miracles among you, because you observed the
law, or
because you heard and believed the gospel? Even as Abraham believed
God, and it
was accounted to him for righteousness.
Galatians
1John 1:7 The
blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanses us of all sin.
[COMMENT: These verses tell us that we do not
need a
different faith for each promise of God, but “all the promises” are
ours
through faith in Christ. God sees nothing good in those who do not
believe
(Isaiah 64:6) and nothing bad in those who trust in Christ (1John 1:7,
Psalm
32:2).]
In Christ We Are Free From the Law
1Timothy 1:8 The law is not meant for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious.
Matthew
Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from
the law,
having died to that which once bound us; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the
oldness of the letter.
1Thessalonians
1Timothy 2:2 Lead
a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Hebrews
1Corinthians
[COMMENT: These verses tell us that “not one letter or stroke” has passed from the Law. The Law still condemns the unrepentant. But, we are free from the Law in Christ. Not free to sin willfully, but free to live quiet and peaceable lives “in all godliness and honesty,” without being condemned by the Law.]
[NOTE: God first makes us
righteous (through faith in the
forgiveness that Christ won for us, 1John 1:7, 1Cor. 15:1-4), and then,
after
we are righteous, gives us His Holy Spirit enabling us to resist
temptation and
avoid willful sin (Gal. 5:16-18).]
True Repentance
Ezekiel 14:6 The Lord GOD says; Repent, and
turn away
from your idols; and turn your backs
on all your abominations.
Psalm
51:17 God will not despise a heart that is humbled and sorry
for sin.
Isaiah 57:15 For
the high and
lofty One who lives forever, and whose name is Holy, says; I live in a
high and
holy place, with him who has a humble heart and is sorry
for sin.
Psalm 32:5 I said, I will confess my
transgressions to
the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
1John 1:9 If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 11:6 Without
faith [in Christ] it is impossible to please God.
[COMMENT: The purpose of the Law is to bring
us to
repentance. True repentance involves a sorrow
“for sin” that will lead us to turn our “backs” on sin. However,
repentance
is incomplete without faith in Christ
(Heb. 11:6). The Law shows us our need for the forgiveness Christ won
for us.
The Gospel assures us of that forgiveness (Rom.
Conclusion
The
only faith that makes us righteous in God’s sight is faith in Christ
(Rom.