The NEW COVENANT and the LAW: And Our Personal Obligation
The greater part of evangelical Christianity has put forth and embraces what is generally referred to as “grace theology”, which supposedly abrogates the Law in favor of a sort of license to disregard the Law, rendering it irrelevant. Grace, as commonly defined, renders all obedience to the Law’s directives as not only unnecessary, but possibly even an affront to God’s grace, should we attempt to “earn salvation” by exhibiting any obedience to God’s Laws. Those operating under that mindset can’t see any other reason for a person wanting to keep the Law than for them to be attempting to EARN salvation. Somehow, the idea that keeping the Law is the very expression of love toward God, that it is the natural response from a person who actually does love God, escapes their awareness! What is so hard to understand about Christ’s statement where He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments”? But the idea that grace is only “unmerited pardon” involves even those who have it right in other areas. No, there is a much more comprehensive aspect to grace. We are not only its recipients, but we are to exhibit it ourselves. It is incoming but also must be outgoing. We are to grow in grace, and that involves not sin and its forgiveness, but an outpouring of it also. We receive grace as God’s gift, but not only for personal benefit. We are to extend it to others as well. The world in general has not fully realized the full auspices of grace.
These few chapters will acquaint you with Grace in its fullest dimension!
