The Law and Salvation
No one is saved by keeping the Law. The Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). All are saved by the miracle-working grace of God. Believers don’t obey the law to be saved but because they are saved. Faith in Christ means to surrender to Him that His Spirit may do the transformation of the believer’s life into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Those who are transformed, by the grace of Christ will want to obey God’s law as an expression of their love and thanksgiving to Him. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Paul says, “What then? Shall we sin [break God’s law], because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid“ (Romans 6:15). And he added, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
The Law and Grace
The law and grace do not cancel each other but they work in perfect unity. The law shows sin, and grace saves from sin. The law reveals God’s will, and grace provides the power to do God’s will. Revelation 14:12 combines the two in their true relationship: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus.”
Obedience is the acid test for our love to God. Jesus declares, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). James confirms, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). Faith and works work in perfect harmony. And John stresses the same truth, “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).
Those who have been forgiven by Jesus for breaking His law must show their love by obedience to God’s law. Their gratitude for His forgiveness, will cause them to happily follow Jesus. Happiness, joy, peace, and more abundant living come to those who obey God’s law. For this reason, David said that God’s commands are more desirable than gold (Psalms 19:10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
