Faith

Basic Teachings of Law and Grace

by John Clark 
07/13/18
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The Book of Galatians presents some very simple and clear teachings about law and grace. It gets right to the heart of the matter. Here are several passages.

Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, since by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Three times in this one verse it says that there is no justification through the works of the law. 

Galatians 2:21 says, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly."

It bears repeating, "if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly."  This verse is a slap in the face to those to say that works are a requirement for salvation, for two reasons:

     1. It nullifies the grace of God.
     2. It was not necessary for Jesus to die. 

Galatians 3:19 and 24 tell us the purpose of the law. 

"Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made" (3:19).

"Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith" (3:24).

The law's purpose was to make us aware of how much we are sinners, so that we will call upon the grace of God for our salvation. 

So, what is the result of seeking to be justified by the works and the law? Galatians 5:4 gives us the answer. "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." This is pretty strong language isn't it! You are severed from Christ and fallen from grace. It would appear to me, from this verse, that anyone who seeks to be justified by works, has never experienced a conversion by God's grace. Besides, how does one know if he or she has done enough works to merit salvation? It is nothing to boast about.

The basis of salvation is only the grace of God through his Son, Jesus Christ, as is stated in Galatians 6:14. "But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..."

This is the simple teaching of law and grace.