Understanding the Connection Between Law and Grace

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 17, we find a profound statement: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." This verse encapsulates the intricate relationship between law and grace, a relationship that is crucial for understanding salvation. The law, given through Moses, serves as a schoolmaster, guiding us to Christ. It is not a means of salvation but a preparatory step that reveals God's holiness, our sinfulness, and our need for grace.

The law's primary function is to reveal God's character and demands, showing us the depth of our sin and our inability to meet God's standards. It convicts us, making us aware of our guilt and helplessness, and thus, our need for a Savior. The law points to grace, indicating why Christ had to come. It is not an end in itself but a pointer to the grace that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Grace, on the other hand, is the unmerited favor of God, a gift that cannot be earned through works or adherence to the law. It is entirely of God, from beginning to end. The law shows us our need for grace by highlighting our inability to fulfill its demands. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our works, but by the redemptive work of Christ.

The law and grace are not opposites but are intricately connected. The law prepares us for grace by showing us our need for it. It is a prophetic pointer to the coming of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers us the grace we desperately need. Understanding this relationship is essential for a true grasp of the gospel and the nature of salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The law serves as a schoolmaster, guiding us to Christ by revealing God's holiness and our sinfulness. It is not a means of salvation but a preparatory step that highlights our need for grace. [04:15]

- Grace is the unmerited favor of God, entirely a gift from Him, and not something we can earn through our works. It is through grace that we are saved, highlighting our complete dependence on God. [28:00]

- The law and grace are not opposites but are intricately connected. The law points to grace, showing us our need for a Savior and preparing us for the grace fulfilled in Jesus Christ. [06:36]

- The law reveals our guilt and helplessness, making us aware of our need for forgiveness and a new nature, which is provided through grace. It convicts us and leads us to the realization of our need for Christ. [24:18]

- Understanding the relationship between law and grace is essential for grasping the gospel and the nature of salvation. The law points to the grace of God in Christ, showing us the gift of His grace: pardon, reconciliation, and new life. [45:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to John 1:17
- [00:32] - The Role of Law in Salvation
- [01:12] - Misunderstandings of the Law
- [02:39] - The Function of the Law
- [03:13] - The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin
- [04:15] - The Law as a Schoolmaster
- [05:19] - The Law Points to Grace
- [06:36] - Law and Grace: Not Opposites
- [08:29] - The Law's Prophetic Nature
- [10:33] - The Need for Forgiveness
- [12:28] - Grace in the Law
- [14:26] - The Temporary Nature of the Law
- [19:44] - The Law's Teaching on Grace
- [24:18] - The Law's Conviction of Sin
- [28:00] - Salvation by Grace Alone
- [31:06] - The Law's Proof of Our Helplessness
- [36:30] - Defining Grace
- [42:27] - The Gospel's Fulfillment of the Law
- [45:03] - The Essential Relationship Between Law and Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:17 - "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
2. Galatians 3:24 - "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
3. Romans 3:19-24 - "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Observation Questions:
1. What does John 1:17 reveal about the relationship between the law and grace? How does this verse set the stage for understanding salvation? [00:09]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary function of the law as given through Moses? [02:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the law as a "schoolmaster" in leading us to Christ? [04:15]
4. What does Romans 3:19-24 say about the purpose of the law and its relationship to grace?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the connection between the law and grace, and why is it important not to view them as opposites? [06:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the law points to the need for grace and a Savior? [05:19]
3. How does the sermon use Galatians 3:24 to illustrate the law's role in preparing us for grace? [04:15]
4. What implications does the sermon draw from Romans 3:19-24 regarding our understanding of sin and grace?

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of the law in your life. How did it lead you to seek grace? [24:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes that grace is a gift from God, not something we can earn. How does this understanding affect your daily walk with God? [28:00]
3. Consider the idea that the law reveals our guilt and helplessness. How can this realization change the way you approach your need for forgiveness and a new nature? [24:34]
4. How can you ensure that you are not relying on your own works for salvation, but fully trusting in the grace of God? [28:43]
5. The sermon discusses the prophetic nature of the law pointing to Christ. How can you use this understanding to deepen your appreciation for the gospel? [05:19]
6. In what ways can you share the message of grace with someone who might be struggling with the burden of the law? [19:06]
7. How can you cultivate a heart that fully embraces the grace of God, recognizing your complete dependence on Him for salvation? [28:43]

Devotional

Day 1: The Law as a Guide to Christ
The law, given through Moses, serves as a schoolmaster, guiding us to Christ by revealing God's holiness and our sinfulness. It is not a means of salvation but a preparatory step that highlights our need for grace. The law's primary function is to reveal God's character and demands, showing us the depth of our sin and our inability to meet God's standards. It convicts us, making us aware of our guilt and helplessness, and thus, our need for a Savior. The law points to grace, indicating why Christ had to come. It is not an end in itself but a pointer to the grace that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. [04:15]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt convicted by the law. How did it lead you to seek Christ's grace?


Day 2: Grace: The Unmerited Favor of God
Grace is the unmerited favor of God, entirely a gift from Him, and not something we can earn through our works. It is through grace that we are saved, highlighting our complete dependence on God. The law shows us our need for grace by highlighting our inability to fulfill its demands. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our works, but by the redemptive work of Christ. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and it is entirely of God, from beginning to end. [28:00]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you are trying to earn God's favor. How can you rest in His grace today?


Day 3: The Connection Between Law and Grace
The law and grace are not opposites but are intricately connected. The law points to grace, showing us our need for a Savior and preparing us for the grace fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Understanding this relationship is essential for a true grasp of the gospel and the nature of salvation. The law prepares us for grace by showing us our need for it. It is a prophetic pointer to the coming of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers us the grace we desperately need. [06:36]

Romans 7:7 (ESV): "What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'"

Reflection: How does understanding the connection between law and grace change your perspective on your spiritual journey?


Day 4: The Law's Conviction and Our Need for Christ
The law reveals our guilt and helplessness, making us aware of our need for forgiveness and a new nature, which is provided through grace. It convicts us and leads us to the realization of our need for Christ. The law's role is to convict us of our sin and point us to the grace that is available through Jesus Christ. It is through this conviction that we come to understand our need for a Savior and the forgiveness that only He can provide. [24:18]

Romans 3:20 (ESV): "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

Reflection: In what ways has the law convicted you of your need for Christ's forgiveness and transformation?


Day 5: Grasping the Gospel Through Law and Grace
Understanding the relationship between law and grace is essential for grasping the gospel and the nature of salvation. The law points to the grace of God in Christ, showing us the gift of His grace: pardon, reconciliation, and new life. The law and grace work together to bring us to a full understanding of the gospel, highlighting our need for a Savior and the grace that is available through Him. This understanding is crucial for a true grasp of the gospel and the nature of salvation. [45:03]

2 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV): "Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the gospel by exploring the relationship between law and grace in your daily life?

Quotes



The law's primary function is to reveal God's character and demands, showing us the depth of our sin and our inability to meet God's standards. It convicts us, making us aware of our guilt and helplessness, and thus, our need for a Savior. The law points to grace, indicating why Christ had to come. [00:03:13]

The law was never intended to be a way of salvation. It was always intended to be our schoolmaster, our pedagogue, to lead us and to bring us to Christ. It was meant to shut us in and to shut us up unto Christ, shutting every door, every way of escape, and to hold us there face to face with Him. [00:04:15]

The law points to grace, showing us our need for a Savior and preparing us for the grace fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Understanding this relationship is essential for a true grasp of the gospel and the nature of salvation. The law points to the grace of God in Christ, showing us the gift of His grace: pardon, reconciliation, and new life. [00:06:36]

The law reveals our guilt and helplessness, making us aware of our need for forgiveness and a new nature, which is provided through grace. It convicts us and leads us to the realization of our need for Christ. This is the essential preliminary to any real understanding of the old doctrine of salvation. [00:24:18]

Grace is the unmerited favor of God, entirely a gift from Him, and not something we can earn through our works. It is through grace that we are saved, highlighting our complete dependence on God. Our salvation is only and entirely because of the grace of God. [00:28:00]

The law shows us the need for grace and that is where any notion that we can have a justifying ourselves by works or by keeping the law is so absolutely fatal. The law shows us the absolute need of grace. It convicts us, showing our failure, but then here comes the gospel. [00:20:33]

The law and grace are not opposites but are intricately connected. The law prepares us for grace by showing us our need for it. It is a prophetic pointer to the coming of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers us the grace we desperately need. [00:06:36]

The law points to grace in a prophetic manner. It says this is the arrangement for the time being, but there you have Moses pointing to Christ, you have the law pointing to grace. The law makes it quite plain and clear that all these burnt offerings and sacrifices were not something in and of themselves. [00:13:28]

The law by its teaching defines what grace is. Grace is the free unmerited favor of God. Grace is kindness shown to the utterly undeserving. Grace says that salvation is entirely due to God and because of what God is. It is all the result of God's nature. [00:36:30]

The law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. The law is the introduction to Christ. The law calls for grace anticipated and leads me to submit myself utterly and completely to it. For being dead, I must be quickened, and it is God who creates within me the very realization of my need. [00:45:03]

The law shows us the need for forgiveness. It convicts us of our guilt and helplessness, making us aware of our need for a Savior. The law points to grace, indicating why Christ had to come. It is not an end in itself but a pointer to the grace that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. [00:10:33]

The law and grace are not opposites but are intricately connected. The law prepares us for grace by showing us our need for it. It is a prophetic pointer to the coming of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers us the grace we desperately need. Understanding this relationship is essential for a true grasp of the gospel and the nature of salvation. [00:06:36]

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Transcript
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