Silver Surfer,
Against this historical background, we can see that to uphold the whole of God's Word as the standard for the Church and for the Nations is, in these days, to swim against the tide. But to do so is to be faithful to the clear teaching of Scripture. Our age is strangely at odds with historical Christianity, and painful theological debates will continue as we wrestle with this significant issue.
If a fear of accusations of legalism prevents us from proclaming that God's Word needs to be applied to modern Christians, we have surely reached a sad state of affairs. May there be a restoration in these days of the fulness of the gospel of grace which provides both the pardon for sin (imputed in justification), and the power to overcome sin (imparted in sanctification). May we not be afraid of law as it helps us to see sin, gives us direction for godly living, and points us to Christ for the good news of His salvation.
Today the cry is commonly heard that one group or another is legalistic. Those who hold to the continuing validity of the Old Testament are frequently described in those terms. But is it necessarily true that a conviction concerning the place of the law - a belief that "the law is good, if one uses it lawfully" (1Tim 1:
- is tantamount to legalism, and contrary to the Biblical doctrine of grace?
Salvation is by grace alone. Many great men of God have laid down their lives for this conviction. None can do anything to merit the Lord's favour by works of law-keeping. Throughout church history there have been those who have sought to earn their salvation, starting with the Judaizers of whom Paul wrote in Galatians. But they all stand condemned before the clear teaching of Scripture.
Justification is entirely of God's grace. Even the faith, which we exercise to appropriate that grace, is a gift from God. It is nothing of which we can boast, as if we contributed it as a work meriting God's favour (Eph 2:8,9).
C.H Spurgeon, a great preacher of the gospel of grace, summed it up in his usual pithy way: "I found out that I could not be saved by good works for two very good reasons: first, I had not got any, and secondly, if I had any, they could not save me."
Our desire to please God in this way is not burdensome. It is a delight (Ps 19:7-11) and an expression of our love for him (1Jn 5:1-5). Having been saved at such cost by His grace, why would we not want to live in a way that is pleasing to Him in every detail, especially when His grace has provided us all that we need for life and godliness?
Trusting in works to merit salvation. This was the error of the Jews, and to some measure continues to be the case in, for example, Roman Catholicism. Demanding adherence to man-made rules which are not found in Scripture - which is the case in strict religious circles which forbid such things as drinking, dancing, or attending movies.
In Matt 19:16-17, Jesus was speaking to a Lawyer who was self-righteous since he wanted to put Jesus to the test (Luke 10:25). He asked what he must do in order to obtain eternal life and Jesus responded with the requirements of keeping the commandments. If a person keeps all of the commandments, it would seem that they could obtain eternal life. However, nobody can keep all of the commandments. Therefore, Jesus' comments to this man show this man that justification can only be by faith since no one can keep all of the commandments. This is why it says in Eph. 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith.
The Law cannot save us because we are incapable of keeping it. Therefore, salvation is by faith through grace.
Matt 19:16-17 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 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.
Resting in the hands, of Jesus.
Bob
Psalm 116:6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He helped and saved me.
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