Gary wrote: > ... consistently, there is no NT segment where law > and grace are considered on equal footing
Study the book of Romans a little more closely, paying special attention to chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, & 7. Time and time again, while Paul is distinguishing the covenant of grace from the covenant of law, he also is careful to show that law and grace work together rather than contrary to one another. For example, notice passages like the following: Romans 2:6 (6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Romans 2:12-13 (12) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (13) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Clearly, Paul sets up the facts in these passages that judgment is based upon man's deeds, and that it is the doers of the law who shall be justified. Notice how he speaks of the relationship of the law toward the Gentiles who are not under the law. In the following verses he speaks of the law being written upon their hearts and how they are doers of the law thereby, even though they do not have the law: Romans 2:14-15 (14) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Following is a clear statement that grace does not void the law, but rather it establishes the law through the way that it works righteousness within us. Romans 3:31 (31) Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. And consider the following statement: Romans 5:20 (20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: You see here, the law is added, and grace is added much more, abounding while the law is doing its work. How much more clear can the Scriptures be in showing that grace and law are team players, working together to effect the work of God? In chapter 6, he elaborates further. The law points out how man should not sin, but grace is the means whereby that is accomplished. The law and grace are partners in this sense. Romans 6:14-18 (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Notice how coming out from being under the law actually causes you to become servants of righteousness. Servants of righteousness do not break the law. Rather, they fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. Paul continues in Romans 7, constantly correcting the false impression that people get with his teaching, that he is somehow making the law and grace as opposites to each other. His real point is that grace and the flesh are opposites and the law does not lead to righteousness whereas grace does. Romans 7:7 (7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:12-13 (12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (13) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. In Romans 8, he summarizes again, showing how grace leads to a Spirit filled life that fulfills the righteousness of the law. Romans 8:4 (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The coupling of law and grace is seen throughout the New Testament by those who are not reading it through the eyes of theologians who deny it. They are not the same thing even as a man and a woman are not the same thing, but they work together in a way that brings about something satisfaction to both. In the end, the law is happy with what grace accomplishes in the hearts of men who have faith in Christ. In the end, the law has no gripes or complaints about the believer in Christ. At the same time, the one who trusts in the law will frustrate grace and fail to satisfy the law. This is the point Paul stresses, without actually becoming antinomian himself. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
