Law and Grace

In our generation, there are preachers who affirm grace to the exclusion of the law, even as they cite, "Christ is the end of the law..." (Romans 10: 4) Then, there are others that teach observance of the law by human strivings in moderation of grace, also citing, "...Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2: 12)

Both groups have a point, a partial truth to which they hold uncompromisingly. God said this of Ephraim: "Ephraim is a cake not turned." (Hosea 7: 8) Unbalanced, half-baked truth does as much damage as falsehood does. The Bible teaches that the law is holy, good, just, spiritual, and that we must establish it (Romans 7: 7, 12, 14; 3: 31).

The function of the law is similar to that of a diagnostics machine or clinic that is able to only reveal a health condition, but it cannot treat it. The patient may lose appetite, joy and boldness as a result of the diagnosis. The natural question is, "Is there a cure?" The consultant would then direct the patient to a competent physician, with the disgnosis report. Grace is the competent physician to which Law refers the sinner who has been made guilty and sorrowful by the revelation of the presence and terminal consequences of sin.

Christ (full of grace and truth) is therefore the end of the law for righteousness (spiritual healing) to everyone that believes. Does the patient not bring his need of the diagnostics to an end after referral to a physician after the diagnosis?  In much the same way, Christ takes over after the law has finished its work of guiltiness.

Some claim that they are under grace and yet indulge in acts of lasciviousness or wantonness (sin). Here is the declaration of freedom:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." (Romans 6: 14) Do you say you are not under the law? Let us together verify this claim. In 1 Timothy 1: 8-10, we have this truth: "But we know that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully (as a diagnostic). Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and mothers, for sexually immoral like prostitutes, for lesbians and homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars and perjured persons, AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING CONTRARY TO SOUND DOCTRINE." 

Is your sinful condition mentioned in the above list? Then you are yet to leave the Law Clinic; you are yet under him. 

Friend, in Grace Clinic, God is at work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. All you do is to work out (make manifest outwardly) the act of grace within (Philippians 2: 12, 13). The evidence of the presence of grace within is the fruits of godliness without. He that professes to be full of grace within, but lacks the good fruits thereof without is like a man who boasts about great wealth in the bank, but who never ceases to beg on the streets for a living.