Greetings VCO,
And thank you sincerely for the Verses. Read them twice.
What I find concerning is how many arguments about grace rely almost exclusively on the writings of Paul and very little on those of Jesus. I am not disputing the writings of Paul except to say that the proper interpretation of them are impossible without a close study and understanding of Jesus’ words and works.
Everything Paul says is subject to the authority, works and judgments of Jesus. If anything Paul’s says contradicts Jesus it must be disregarded, period, end of argument.
What I hear in many arguments is that Grace is a means of passing up judgment altogether, but this is not the case. Perhaps this error comes when one thinks there has been a putting away the law, by which God judges all things. However, Jesus did not “put away the law”; more precisely, He upheld it by agreeing to pay its full penalty for the sin of the world. Think about it like this; if He had repealed the law, the entire world would have become sinless, remember “where there is no law, there is no transgression” (
Rom. 4:15). A doing away with the law would have de-criminalized all sin and made all mankind legally perfect--though personally imperfect.
Instead Jesus paid the full penalty by redeeming the world, re-purchasing it for Himself, which gave Him the lawful authority to “save” them by a longer, painful process of drawing the world by Love.
By paying the penalty for us He retained the right to judge mankind for sin. So, even Christians are disciplined and judged for sin, why? Because the Law remains in effect though under the administration of Jesus. He chose to bear the penalty for the sins of the world and again; retained the right to judge us, not so that we might be lost forever, but so that we would mature and develop the character of Christ. Like a good parent, His judgments are corrective and administered in Love.
But what is Jesus trying to work into us? Simply put; a love of His laws through obedience. Jesus Himself said that the only people that “Loved” Him were those who both Knew and Obeyed HIS LAWS. And he further clarified that these were the only ones both Himself and the Heavenly Father would reveal Themselves to and fellowship with.
Joh 14:21 KJV He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We cannot “Love” Him by talking about Him or reciting a profession of faith, this “Love” Jesus is speaking about comes by Knowing and Obeying His commandments.
And, Jesus, speaking of “that day” or the end of this dispensation of “grace” where under less duress we might choose to know and obey His Laws, there would be a “Judgment”, the one He retained to right to when He paid the penalty for our sins.
Those who chose to “Act religious” without learning and obeying His laws under this most favorable dispensation of Grace will be cast out of His presence.
Mat 7:22-23 KJV Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
See here; “I never knew you”! Remember for Jesus and The Heavenly Father to make themselves “Known” to us we have to Know and Keep His Laws. By the way the English word in the verse above “iniquity” was translated from the Greek word anomia, which is “a”- without and “nomia” The Law”.
It all fits together perfectly if one chooses to see it. So Grace was not a doing away with The Law or the penalty of The Law, it is a “grace period” under which we might “learn/understand/know/hath” and “keep” The Laws.
Jesus is preparing us for His Kingdom. Those who will inherit the kingdom are those who abide by His Laws or the righteous. And isn’t is strange how much people are attacking everyone who promoted the keeping of the law or righteousness?!
Mat 5:10 KJV Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven and who is the least?
Mat 5:19 KJV Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
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