Biblical perspective of law
Paul taught that salvation is a gift from God by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The Greek word for "grace" is charis, meaning a gift or favor. In the New Testament it can refer either to God's gift of mercy or to His gracious favor.
Paul makes it clear throughout his writings that God's grace leading to salvation is "not of works, lest anyone should boast" (verse 9). But Paul's overall perspective toward Christian works is generally ignored by opponents of obedience to God's law.
Look at Paul's perspective in the next verse. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (verse 10). Those who ignore the reasons for our being God's "workmanship," who ignore why we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works" and why we are to "walk" in them, miss a major part of Paul's message.
Notice Paul's correlation of obedience and works related to salvation to God's work within us, which enables us to accomplish His purpose in us. "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).
Certainly forgiveness and salvation are gifts from God. They cannot be earned. As humans we possess nothing of sufficient value to pay for the forgiveness of our sins and our salvation. Yet Jesus bluntly tells us that "unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). Through repentance we do not earn salvation, but repentance is a prerequisite for salvation.
Repentance is simply turning away from sin, forsaking lawless behavior (1 John 3:4). We can't receive the Holy Spirit and be converted unless we are willing to repent and live as law-abiding people (Acts 2:38).
Faith is another prerequisite for salvation. We read that "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). We must be "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith . . ." (Romans 3:24-25). But simply because faith is required by God doesn't mean we earn salvation by having faith.
Neither do we earn salvation through works. But, as the many scriptures cited in this booklet show, God clearly expects faith and obedience in those to whom He will extend the gift of eternal life. Those who oppose obedience to God's laws choose to emphasize certain statements Paul makes and totally ignore others that clarify his intent.
Biblical Law and Faith
Paul's discussion of faith and works in Romans 3 is one such passage. In verse 28 we read, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." Paul is talking about justification: Christ's death covering our previous transgressions. He is showing that we could never earn forgiveness.
But that has nothing to do with the way we are supposed to live. It has no bearing whatsoever on the importance of God's law as the guide to our behavior. Paul is talking only about how "sins that were previously committed" can be "passed over" (verse 25) so we can get on with our lives as obedient servants of God.
To make sure we understand this, Paul says in verse 31, "Do we then make void the law through faith?
Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."
Paul wants us to understand that he is not even hinting that God's law was voided or abolished. On the contrary, without the Biblical law we would have no way of understanding what sin is or is not because "by the law is the knowledge of sin" (verse 20). Remember, for sin to exist there has to be law because "sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4).
Therefore, Paul is saying that the concept of God's "grace" or forgiveness establishes that His law is still in effect and that sin is breaking that law. God's grace through faith requires a law that defines the sins that are to be forgiven. So, repeating Paul, "Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."
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Ten Commandments
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Jesus is Lord
The Confession, "JESUS IS LORD" If the confession "Jesus is Lord" bore such full and weighty content within the context of primitive Christianity, then the question next arises, what was the practical significance of this confession for the life of the church? What place did it occupy in the lives of early Christian believers and worshiping communities? The New Testament makes several points clear. Do you obey the Biblical Ten Commandments and is Jesus the Lord of our live?Jesus Is Lord
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Faith In Action
Put your faith in action. After you have spent hours praying, it is time to get off your knees and put your prayers and faith into action. What is the great commandment? Does your put your Biblical faith reflect action? FaithINa.html Faith in Action Click Here for action - The Great Commandment of the waves."Hebrews 12:28 "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"
Jesus - Ten Commandments
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
The words of the covenant are the Ten Commandments
Exodus 34:28
28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant,
the ten commandments.
The Covenant is Everlasting
1 Chronicles 16:15-17
15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him
and keep his commandments
to a thousand generations;
Ten Commandments Covenant
Exodus 34:28
28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Print copy of the Ten Commandments
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Deuteronomy 5:2
2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Deuteronomy 5:3
3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Deuteronomy 9:9
9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
Biblical Law bring you these weekly Bible verses:
Isaiah 19:20
And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.
Isaiah 43:3
For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Isaiah 43:11
I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior.
Isaiah 45:14
[The LORD, the Only Savior] Thus says the LORD: "The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, "Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God."
