Studies in the Ten Commandments

The Law and Grace

 

Why should Christians consider the commandments at all, given that we are not under law, but under grace (Rom 6:14)? Hasn’t Christ set us free from the obligation to observe the law?

Summary of the Scriptures

• Jesus alone kept God’s law perfectly and fulfilled it completely (Matt 5:17)
• Those who are “in Christ” are clothed with His righteousness; when God looks on us He sees Jesus’ perfections and not our shortcomings (Rom 4:24).
• The Holy Spirit transforms us into the likeness of Jesus, so that Jesus’ righteousness is lived out in us and through us (Rom 8:4).
• We bear the fruit of righteousness as we remain in fellowship with Him, listen to His voice and respond obediently (John 15:10).

Illustration

The Law could never enable us to display the righteousness of God. It is like trying to draw a circle by connecting a number of points with straight lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pharisees recognised this, and thought that the solution was to add more and more points to cover every conceivable situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But you can’t draw a circle using rules (apologies for the pun!). The only way is to use a line, or compass, anchored to the centre. In a similar way we centre our lives on Jesus and that will make our lives pleasing to God, not vice versa.

If we remain in fellowship with Jesus then we will do the Father’s will, including keeping the commandments, even as He did. If we examine our lives and find we are not keeping the commandments then it is a clear indication that our lives are not centred on Him. If this is the case there is only one thing to do –

GET JESUS BACK IN THE CENTRE!

 

Jesus said, “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:19,20).

 

Steve Townsend

26 Sep 2004