FOUNDATIONS – Episode 44 – Law and Grace

[00:00:00] Hello, welcome to your daily Grace by Timothy Wilder Foundations Episode 44 Law and Grace Two different systems There are only two systems by which a person can attempt to relate to God. They are law and grace. Scripture never merges them, never blends them, and never presents them as two cooperative paths. They are opposites in origin, in operation, and in outcome. One depends entirely on human effort. The other depends entirely on divine gift. One demands righteousness, the other supplies it. One exposes sin, the other removes it. These two systems cannot coexist without conflict because each one cancels the premise of the other. [00:00:44] The law is holy and just and good, but it was never designed to give life. Paul writes that the law worketh wrath because its purpose is to reveal sin, not cure it. The law is like a mirror. It shows the dirt on your face but offers no water to wash it away. It diagnoses perfectly but heals nothing. That is why Scripture says by the law is the knowledge of sin. [00:01:09] The law exposes the problem, but it cannot provide the solution. Grace is an entirely different system. Grace does not demand righteousness from you. Grace gives righteousness to you. Grace does not say, do this and live. Grace says, live and now you can do this. [00:01:26] Grace does not point to your failure. Grace points to the finished work of Christ. Under grace, God is not dealing with you based on your performance, but on the obedience of Christ. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [00:01:45] Grace rests on the obedience of Christ, not yours. These two systems cannot be mixed. The moment you add law to grace, you no longer have grace. Paul makes this clear when he writes, if it be of works, then it is no more grace. Romans 11:6 Law says, Earn it. Grace says, receive it. Law says, try harder. Grace says, it is finished. Law says you must. Grace says Christ has. To attempt to combine them is to destroy the nature of both. Understanding that God relates to you through grace and not law is foundational to walking in freedom, confidence and joy. You are not living in a system that measures you. You are living in a system that transforms you. [00:02:27] Grace is not God lowering the standard. Grace is God meeting the standard in Christ and giving you the benefit. [00:02:35] Thanks for listening. If you are being fed and or uplifted by these messages, we encourage you to like, comment, share and subscribe. These things help us spread the message of grace.