The Law was Given, but Grace Came!

[Vine Abider]

Really liked this devotional this morning, in that it gives such a clear picture and contrast of the old and new covenants, and shows why the new is so much better!  The law was given and was a good standard that humans should be living by, but they could not fulfil because of the corruption of their flesh.  But hallelujah Grace came as the Person of Jesus Christ!  And this Person is now the supply in us that fulfills the law!

Inner Supply

"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and reality came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17

The Lord's voice under the new covenant comes as an inner infusion and supply. Galatians 3:21 says, "Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law." God's voice under the old covenant was correct and proper in itself, but as an outward law it could not give life. It could not infuse and supply life. It could only tell you what to do. No doubt, the law given by Moses accurately defined our condition, but it could not supply life to carry it out. Grace and reality coming through Jesus Christ is different from an outward law being handed to us. Grace and reality is the Lord Himself in person coming to us to infuse His very life into our being.

The law was given but grace came. There is a big difference. For example, I can communicate with you in two ways. I can send you a letter, or I can come in person to communicate with you. The law given by Moses is like receiving a communication by letter. But grace and reality coming through Jesus Christ is receiving a communication from Christ Himself. When He comes in person, we receive direct infusion and supply. This supply is the new covenant way God speaks to us. His speaking to us is His simultaneous supply into us. Jesus said in John 6:63, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." The very words themselves are spirit and life. Thus, His speaking means infusion and inner supply.

from The Supplied Life by B. Freeman

[NConly]

Good commentary to bad churches do not teach this. I would say there are a few more verses that I would like have seen in it.

[Vine Abider]

27 minutes ago, NConly said:

Good commentary to bad churches do not teach this. I would say there are a few more verses that I would like have seen in it.

Yes, please share some verses!

[NConly]

Luke 16:16

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Many try to mix old law with the new law.

 

Matt 28

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  v 18 is a very powerful verse

There are many more verse I could post that are important but they would be going deep into the NC and that does not appear to be where you were headed with this op.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, NConly said:

There are many more verse I could post that are important but they would be going deep into the NC and that does not appear to be where you were headed with this op.

I have many verses coming to mind too . . . to me the basic point is that the outward law can't change anyone, but the inner law of the Spirit of life can change and transform someone into the image of Christ.

All the outward law can do is hold up a mirror that says, "This is the standard." Then through our own efforts we may try to make ourselves conform to that standard, but we can't, because of our corrupted flesh.  But the mind of the spirit is life and peace, and thereby we are transformed.

Unfortunately, many take the teachings of the Spirit in the new testament and try to apply them in the way of the old covenant.  That effort may seem to bear fruit for a short time, but it is really like trying to paste artificial apples onto a living apple tree . . .

[NConly]

 Vine Abider I agree with you and see the point. I wish more people understood the NC better.

[farouk]

On 9/9/2024 at 2:42 PM, NConly said:

Luke 16:16

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Many try to mix old law with the new law.

 

Matt 28

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  v 18 is a very powerful verse

There are many more verse I could post that are important but they would be going deep into the NC and that does not appear to be where you were headed with this op.

Hi @NConly Romans 3, re. the sphere of the law and the prophets, distinct from the gospel, is also relevant.