Law OR Grace

By Grace, Not Law:

by faith, not by sight. only by the Grace of God there go I

     Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

Paul's desire to be found in him probably has an eschatological aspect. He wants the divine scrutiny he will undergo at Christ's return to reveal unquestionably that he had been in vital spiritual union with Jesus Christ. For this to be so, it could not be on the basis of a "righteousness" he could call "my own" (i.e., the kind of righteousness one might achieve through conformity to the Mosaic law).

Such obedience might win the admiration of other people, but it could never achieve the absolute perfection God requires ( Gal 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." Jas 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ).

In strong contrast, to be found in Christ implies a righteousness that has its source not in humans but in God, who has provided Jesus Christ, the "Righteous One" (Ac 3:14; 1Jn 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ).

This latter righteousness is received by us "through faith" and thus we acquire it "by faith" or "on the basis of faith." It is God's provision freely offered to us in Christ (Ro 3:20-22

Ro 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference). "Faith" is the opposite of human works; it is the reception of God's work by those who admit the futility of their own efforts to attain righteousness.

The Scriptures say: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16

JUSTIFICATION a forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law

Results of Justification

Romans 5:1-10 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Ro 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

It proceeds on the imputing or crediting to the believer by God himself of the perfect righteousness, active and passive, of his Representative and Surety, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-9 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

We walk by faith, not by sight. (Who are the Jews, Catholics, or any denomination or religious group of any kind? If they not born again, they are of the world. they may be doing good as far as the world goes, but if there not trusting in Jesus, there work is in vain. Which includes people that are trying to work there way in the Kingdom by the law and good works. Which is good, but it don't save you.)

Legalism is any doctrine which teaches that man can be justified before God by something he does.
Legalism is any doctrine which makes sanctification and holiness something a man does for himself.
Legalism, in any form, to any degree, is totally contrary to the gospel of Christ.

It promotes pride and self-righteousness. It turns a man's eyes away from Christ to himself. It causes strife and division among God's people, causing sinful man to think he is something when he is nothing. It destroys every foundation of true peace and assurance before God. It is in direct opposition to the plainest statements of Holy Scripture.

Law and grace simply will not mix. We who believe on Christ, being saved by the free grace of God in Christ, are not under the law in any sense, to any degree, for any reason.

(Gal.2:21) "I do not regard the grace of God as nothing [or, nullify the grace of God] , for if righteousness [is] through [the] Law, in that case, Christ died for nothing [or, needlessly]

It begins with God's grace and continues with a constant unfolding of that grace. His grace is supremely expressed to us through His kindness in Christ Jesus. Grace is appropriated through faith and is intended to result in good works. By trusting in Him, to do the work in us.

(Keep it simple, letting go and let God, He is the one fighting our battles. By trusting in Him, to do the work in us. He is the one that is building the temple, the Body of Christ, the Church. If we are trusting in Christ, and have been born again from above. He has overcame the world. Without him we can do nothing. We overcome in Him, though the revelation of His Word, reveal by our Father in heaven. Then its by the relevelation of God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, that is building the Church.)

We must never attempt to serve God upon a legal principle. (Galatians 5:1). We must never trust our own righteousness (Galatians 5:2).

Cling to Christ alone for all your hope before God. He is 'The Lord our Righteousness'. That person who knows the proper place of the law and the glory of God's free grace, who can rest in Christ alone for all that the law requires and all that justice demands, knows the gospel.

But that person who mixes law and grace, in any measure whatsoever, as a matter of acceptance before God, has not yet learned the gospel.

You see, it is not Law AND Grace, but it is Law OR Grace.

If you seek to be justified {and} declared righteous {and} to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing {and} so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing). (Galatians 5:4 AMP)

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