Friday, 28 January 2022

Law and Grace - part 14

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This week, our memory verses are Romans 8:28-30. Today, I want to start at the end of Romans 8:30. Romans 8:30 ends with these 3 words ... "He also glorified." What does that mean, and how might it relate to the subject with which we have been dealing for 3 weeks, the tension between Law and Grace? You'll see ... keep reading.

As we have seen, the tension is not between Law and Grace, but between Legalism and Grace. If our relationship with God is "performance" based, (meaning that getting into heaven is based on keeping His commandments) then there must be a point at which we "qualify" by obeying well enough. Conversely, there must also be a point at which we may not qualify, by not obeying well enough.

What is that point? It's like the fulcrum of a see-saw. Too much sin, and oops, the teeter-totter tips and off to hell you go. Enough good (or the good "outweighs" the bad), and "Yea!" the fulcrum tips in our favor and into the presence of God you go. The problem with all of that is found in the concept of "glory" (remember, "He also glorified?")

Rabbi Trail: What sin would do you in? Is there one that would make the fulcrum tip? Maybe it would be that spit ball in the 7th grade? Maybe talking back to a teacher. And after that, all is lost. Do you see the futility in having to perform your way into God's presence? It can't be done. End RT.

God's glory is His oneness. Isaiah 42:8 "I am Adonai - that is My Name! My glory I will not give to another, Or My praise to graven images. The minute God would give His glory (oneness) to another, it would no longer be glory (oneness). In addition to God being One, (remember Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.) He is also sovereign.

"Sovereign" means His authority cannot be challenged. God must be obeyed immediately and without question. Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How is God's will done in heaven? Immediately and without question. Satan was the last one to challenge God's authority in heaven, and it didn't turn out well for him. This is the understanding of the connection between God's oneness and God's sovereignty.

This doesn't point to the need for more obedience, it points to our need for our Savior, Yeshua. Without grace, we would all be lost. Romans 3:2-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are set right as a gift of His grace, through the redemption that is in Messiah Yeshua. Give thanks with a grateful heart for the grace of God.