I will again call upon my e-Sword program and the thoughts of Pastor Hoekstra contained therein. As an aid in this study of GOD'S Plan, and where needed by the Holy Spirit edit the material presented.
Righteousness through Christ in Sanctification:
For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (our humanity), on account of sin (the lose of the knowledge of our origin and true identity, this the effects of Genesis 3's record which cursed all of humanity): He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled (this the same fulfilling spoken of by the Lord of Mat. 5:17's fulfill G4137, to make replete, to make abundantly filled,,,ie. to over fill [now who's the beneficiary of this action, humanity]) in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:3-4)
How wonderful it is to be "justified freely by His Grace" (Rom. 3:24). Yet, what disappointment and discouragement awaits us, if we do not learn that GOD desires to sanctify us freely by His Grace and Truth as well. This plan of GOD, as we should expect, hinges upon the, 'it is finished' work of Jesus Christ.
In matters of justification, as well as sanctification, the Law has a weakness. This weakness is that natural human resources, the flesh of man, cannot live up to the standards of GOD. These we described in 2391. Thus, to accomplish what the Law could never accomplish the Father sent His Son to accomplish on humanity's behalf. "For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD did by sending His own Son."
Jesus came as a man and died on the cross to eradicate the consequences of sin's consciousness. This death of Christ provided justification for all who would believe the Lord Jesus. Yet, the next verse reveals that through His sacrificial death on the cross progressive, practical sanctification is available day by day through faith in the Lord. "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
The word "walk" makes Rom. 8:4 a verse on sanctification, not justification. Justification takes place with the first moment of faith in Christ. Sanctification continues step by step, day by day, throughout the life of all that believer.
Think of this grand truth. God's Grace provides the way "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us." Remember, that heavenly demand is "be holy," be like Christ. This transformation of life takes place daily in the life of any believer who does "not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." If we renounce the natural resources of man and trust in the Lord Jesus step by step through life, His Holy Spirit accomplishes His sanctifying work in us by the gift of Grace of GOD.
Law and Grace, Old Covenant and New Covenant:
The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant . . . For the law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ . . . This cup is the New Covenant in My blood. (Deu. 9:11; John 1:17; and Luke 22:20)
In our studies of the Law and Grace, we have also been considering (though not yet mentioning) the principal characteristics of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. When the Lord wrote the message of His law upon stone tablets for Moses, He was prescribing the terms of the Old Covenant. "The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant." When Jesus came into the world to die on the cross, the Lord was establishing the New Covenant. "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood." The blood of the testator, the Spiritual mediator, in effect cancelled the OT Mosaic Law of condemnation that was weak as it had no means of redemption let alone salvation within it.
These two covenants of Law and Grace present one of the major contrasting themes in the word of GOD. "For the Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ..." Understanding the differences between these two covenants is of utmost importance for living the Christ life as GOD intends, all of humanity.
GOD'S law tells us that He desires holiness to characterize the way we live. Only GOD'S Grace can provide such righteousness in our lives. GOD'S law tells us that He wants Christlike love to permeate our attitudes and relationships. Only GOD'S Grace can develop such love in us. GOD'S law tells us that He desires the perfections of the Father to be growing in us. Only GOD'S Grace is sufficient to carry out such a process of transformation.
The law of GOD is the what; The Grace of GOD is the How. The law of GOD reveals sin; The Grace of GOD forgives sin. The law of GOD indicates man's problem; The Grace of GOD provides all GOD'S remedy. The law of GOD demands performance by man; The Grace of GOD offers provision from GOD.
The law of God is the standard; The Grace of GOD is the means. The law of GOD is the spiritual measuring rod that evaluates lives; The Grace of GOD is the nurturing resource that produces spiritual life. The law of GOD tells us of the character of GOD; The Grace of GOD reproduces that character in us. The law of GOD is the effect GOD wants to see; The Grace of GOD is the cause that brings forth that effect.
LORD God of Truth, help me to rightly divide (understand) Your Truth. Enlighten my spiritual understanding that I might increasingly grasp the differences between Law and Grace. Show me the full implications of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.Your word impresses me with the enormous significance of these issues. Thank You for Your patience concerning my negligence or confusion on these matters. O LORD, I earnestly desire to live a righteous and holy life. Teach me the path of humble dependency upon Your glorious Grace, through Jesus, my LORD and my life, the great Amen.
I pray for clarity of understanding for all who read this. Thank You for such clarity of mind.
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