Articles
 The Upper Room Discourse 79
 The Upper Room Discourse 78
 The Upper Room Discourse 77
 The Upper Room Discourse 76
 The Upper Room Discourse 75
 The Upper Room Discourse 74
 The Upper Room Discourse 73
 The Upper Room Discourse 72
 The Upper Room Discourse 71
 The Upper Room Discourse 70

Series [All]
 Daniel Juster (61)
 Fruit of the Spirit (8)
 Guy Cohen (56)
 Introduction to Messianic Judaism (24)
 Juster summer trip
 Mark Rantz (2)
 The Mitzvah Book (93)
 Tikkun Articles (5)
 Torah Thoughts
 Zion's Glory (3)

Archive


 

Thursday, 27 January 2022
Law and Grace - part 13

In sports there is something called an "unforced error." That's when you make a mistake by yourself and on your own. This kind of mistake or error is not because of any strategy of the opponent, but is simply the result of tripping over your own feet or shadow, so to speak. In the kingdom of God, feeling tension between Law and Grace is such an unforced error.

Romans 3:20 For no human, on the basis of Torah observance, will be set right in His sight - for through the Torah comes awareness of sin.

The very concept of "Law" seems to lead us toward "Legalism." I like how Jonathan Settel has taught us to replace "Law" with the term "God's righteous principles." Legalism is the belief that obedience will justify us before God. There SHOULD be tension between Legalism and Grace, but never between Law and Grace.

Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is set right not by deeds based on Torah, but rather through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua. So even we have put our trust in Messiah Yeshua, in order that we might be set right based on trust in Messiah and not by deeds based on Torah - because no human will be justified by deeds based on Torah.

The "sin problem" we inherited from Father Adam was healed at the Cross by Yeshua. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive. We can never "perform" our way to eternal life. Father Abraham slept while God cut covenant. Genesis 15:12,18a When the sun was about to set and a deep sleep fell on Abram His faith was counted as righteousness ... On that day Adonai cut a covenant with Abram. Abraham was asleep, not doing "Mitzvot" (fulfilling commandments).

That covenant that God made with Abraham was not done away in Moses, but expanded, explained and clarified. And the Mosaic covenant was not done away in Yeshua, it was expanded, explained and clarified. The Mosaic covenant was never intended for salvation, but to reveal the need for the Savior.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Torah sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the Torah. For I would not have known about coveting if the Torah had not said, "You shall not covet."

Now that we've cleared that up, what else is there? How about some "Shalom?" Everyone (both believers and non-believers) knows he/she is missing something. We all long to be complete in Him. Colossians 2:9 For all the fullness of Deity lives bodily in Him, 10a and in Him you have been filled to fullness. Obedience (performance in the flesh) can never fill us up, but a relationship with the Savior (Who commands us to obey Him) does.

Psalm 46:11-12(10-11) "Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth." Adonai-Tzva'ot is with us. The God of Jacob is our strong tower. Selah!

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 11:11am Comment Comments: 0