Objection:
You are constantly preaching that men should obey God’s commandments and keep the law as if that were the sum and substance of true religion and a passport to heaven. But the Christian has nothing to do with law; he lives wholly by the grace of God, which was made available to him through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, and thus only, can any man be right with God and ready for heaven.
Answer:
We freely admit that we preach that men should obey God’s commandments. We also preach with equal vigor that a man’s only hope of heaven is through the grace of God made available in the gospel. There is no conflict between the two declarations, as we shall seek to show. Note, first, these similar declarations regarding obedience, as outlined in the Old and the New Testament:
Old Testament (Law)
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Genesis 26:3-5)
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:5)
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18)
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)
“Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” (2 Kings 17:13)
“But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.” (Jeremiah 7:23)
“For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.” (Jeremiah 11:7)
“And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;” (Daniel 9:4)
New Testament (Law)
“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.” (Matthew 5:19)
“But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3)
“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” (Mark 7:7-8)
“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.” (John 14:21)
“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Romans 13:9)
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:25)
“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:12)
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:2-3)
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)
Note now the similar declarations of the Old and the New Testament concerning the grace of God that is made available through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because the experiences of certain Old Testament worthies are revealed to us through the comments of New Testament writers, the column entitled “Old Testament Times” will contain several New Testament texts:
Old Testament (Faith)
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4)
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:18)
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin… Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,” (Romans 4:2-8, 16)
“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) [Paul quotes this passage in Deuteronomy, prefacing it thus: “The righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise.” See Romans 10:6.]
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin… Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me… For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalms 51:1, 2, 10, 16, 17)
New Testament (Faith)
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” (Acts 3:25)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:21-22)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
Here are the evident conclusions we must reach from studying these passages on obedience and grace in the Old and the New Testament:
- Throughout all the history of this earth, God has had one rule for those who desire to be His children and thus qualify for heaven: obedience to His commands.
- Likewise, throughout all history, there has been but one means by which men can be cleansed of the sin of their past disobedience and be enabled to give true obedience in the future, namely, the grace and power of God, which are made available through faith in the gospel.
Answering a few questions will help make these conclusions even more evident.
- How did sin begin in the human race? Answer: By man’s failure in the Garden of Eden to obey God’s will, His holy command.
- Where is God’s will most concisely expressed? Answer: In His holy law, the Ten Commandments.
- What is the attitude of rebellious men toward His law? Answer: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7).
- How is sin defined in the Bible? Answer: “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4).
- How many of us are sinners? Answer: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
- Then how do we stand in relation to God? Answer: “Guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19).
- Can a man remove his guilt for past sins and thus stand justified before God by faithful obedience to God’s law in the future? Answer: “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” (Romans 3:20).
- What is the purpose of the law in relation to a guilty man? Answer: “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Verse 20. “For where no law is, there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:15).
- What is the gospel? Answer: The good news that Christ has come to die for our sins and to offer men the grace of God (Matthew 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
- What is grace? Answer: God’s unmerited favor displayed toward man in saving and preserving him.
- How is the grace of God toward guilty man displayed? Answer: (1) By offering him a means by which he may be freed from the guilt of his past sins. (2) By taking away his “carnal mind” and stony heart, which are “enmity against God” and “not subject to the law of God,” and giving him a new heart and mind that delights to do the will of God. (Romans 8:7; Hebrews 8:10).
- How is man freed from the guilt of past sins? Answer: “You know that he [Christ] was manifested to take away our sins.” (1 John 3:5). “Being justified freely by his gace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: … for the remission of sins that are past.” (Romans 3:24, 25).
- How does the guilty man avail himself of this proffered cleansing? Answer: By simple faith in Christ. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
- When accepting Christ by faith, what takes place for repentant sinners? Answer: The fulfillment of the promise of the new covenant: “I will put my law into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” (Hebrews 8:10).
- With God’s laws thus written in our minds and hearts, how do we relate ourselves to its holy requirements, its claim on our obedience? Answer: Christ “condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law [“the just requirement of the law,” R.S.V.] might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3, 4).
- How else is this miraculous new life of the pardoned sinner described? Answer: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).
- Now if Christ is the one who lives out His life through us, what will be our relation to God’s law? Answer: The same relation to it that Christ bore.
- What was Christ’s relation to God’s law? Answer: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Psalms 40:8).
- How does the pardoned sinner reveal that he is no longer at enmity against God but that he genuinely loves Him? Answer: By obedience to God, which is the opposite of rebellion against Him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” (1 John 5:3).
- How may we summarize the contrast between the sinner and the pardoned child of God? Answer: In this way:
The Sinner
- “Enmity against God.”
- Has a carnal mind. Minds the things of the flesh.
- “Not subject to the law of God.”
- Controlled by Satan (Romans 6:16), who originated all rebellion.
The Pardoned Child of God
- In harmony with God.
- Walks “not after the flesh, but after the spirit.”
- God’s law in his mind and heart.
- Christ lives in him, and Christ has His Father’s law in His heart.
How evident, then, that there is no conflict between law and grace, between obedience to God’s holy law, which is the true mark of the child of God, and salvation from sin through God’s grace displayed in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are saved from sin—law-breaking, that we might live a life of obedience—law-keeping. No sinner will enter heaven. The “saints” standing in readiness for Christ’s Second Advent are distinguished in two important ways: They (1) keep “the commandments of God” and (2) “the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12). We, who seek to prepare our hearts and the hearts of others for the Second Advent, preach that men should “keep the commandments of God” and possess “the faith of Jesus.” Thus law and grace are combined. And it is because “the faith of Jesus” is kept that “the commandments of God” can be kept.
