Bible Studies

Love and Grace Open Closed Doors and Give Life

by Michael Edwards 
03/05/18
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

The law drives sin underground. It started when Adam and Eve hid from God.

Have you noticed how criminals or humans, in general, do things in the dark when no one is looking? How about your children or spouse? How about you? 

The obvious reason people sin in the dark is that they know that it is wrong. The more we emphasize laws in our homes, the further it drives our children and spouses away from us and into the dark. The more they do things in the dark, the more guilt, shame and condemnation they feel which leads to more sin.  Legalism makes our loved ones withdraw, keep secrets, blame us, resent us and judge others just as they are judged.

The law always arouses sin and man’s inherited Adamic fallen nature.

For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. Romans 7:5 ESV

Our fallen nature will never be redeemed and still resides in a believer’s flesh until the day the flesh dies. It will always rebel against the law.The law can only bring condemnation and death and more rebellion. Love and grace open closed doors and give life. This is why we are called to be ministers of the Spirit of the law which is love and not the letter of the law which can only bring condemnation and death.

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 ESV

It was God’s kindness, love, and grace that brought us out of the dark into a close relationship with Jesus. If we still believed God wanted to punish us, instead of save us, we would still be running and hiding in the dark.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Rom 2:4 ESV

Love and grace disarm the enemy and stop the dominion of Sin.

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Col 2:15 ESV

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Rom 6:14 ESV

Lord help me. I know if I view you as legalistic and harsh I will be the same. Help me to see your heart that beats for me. Help me to see you in the love, compassion, and death of Jesus for me. Help me to love as Jesus loved me, to show grace to all I meet, to open closed doors and give life.

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will, and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. 

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20