Grace v Law
I get frequent emails from Christians stating the importance of grace and pointing out the dangers of legalism. Most are good stuff, but what worries me is that some slip over into an attack on law itself. Some mildly mock God’s law, but the worst scoff at it.
I can understand why advocates of grace attack religion and legalism, but I am puzzled about why they switch to attacking God’s law. The approach contrasts with Psalm 119, which extols the virtues of God’s law. Likewise, Paul says that the law is holy, righteous and good (Rom 7:12) and spiritual (Rom 7:14).
Law is important for the functioning of society. If someone burgles their house or steals their car, most people expect the perpetrator to be brought to justice. If a baby is murdered, most people expect action to be taken.
The irony is that when it comes to the functioning of society, most Christians prefer man-made law to God’s law. I find this odd. We seem to have arrived at a situation where most Christians hate God’s law. Part of the reason is that advocates of grace tend to attack it, to make a point about legalism.
My response is this. Go for it against legalism and religion, but be careful about attacking God’s law to defend God's grace.
2 comments:
"I can understand why advocates of grace attack religion and legalism, but I am puzzled about why they switch to attacking God’s law."
I believe its due to a flawed understanding of what law and legalism. We've conflated the two concepts together and ended up with anti-nomism.
Law, even in a legalistic sense, is an inherent and essential part of God's nature. The entire scripture (Logos, Torah) are manifestations of God. To reject any portion is to reject Him. Since Jesus is Logos made flesh, then to reject any portion of the Scripture on any ground, is to reject a portion of Jesus too.
Attacking God's law to defend God's grace makes no sense, since one has to exist in order for the other to have any purpose. From what are we being given Grace from?
"We seem to have arrived at a situation where most Christians hate God’s law."
Quite true and your observation shows how absurd this thinking is. Its one of the prime reasons why Jews object to Christianity today. Thus our false thinking results in building another obstacle for them to overcome on the way to discovering the Messiah.
From my understanding.. at least.. (from among us christian brothers and sisters).. pastors.. would be found.. more then likely to be leaning more towards defending Gods Grace (defending Gods love and mercy)... while a true authentic prophet.. would be more then likely to be defending Gods laws.. (with there zeal for righteousness).. so round and round we all go arguing between one another..(the battle of Grace vs law) while all along.. most people are completely unaware of the fact of the real reason behind the argument.. (that God had given them a gifting.. of one of the 5 fold ministry).. apostles.. prophets.. teachers.. pastors.. evangelist.. I just realized recently.. that i do have prophetic quality's.. to the nature of my opinions.. and thoughts that fuel my arguments.. perhaps.. Ive been called to be a prophet.. and i have not even been aware of it.. now.. the true test to us all.. is can we all function in Gods perfect unity??
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