Law vs. Grace, 1of12

~ Personal Works vs. Faith in Christ ~

introduction:  The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Galatians to the believers of this local church at a time when they were beginning to reject the gospel of grace and were instead moving backward toward obedience of the Mosaic Law as the means of winning favor with God. Paul’s purpose in writing was to point out the dramatic differences between Law and Grace. 

Personal Works vs. Faith in Christ

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16, emphasis added).

summary:  The bottom line of understanding Law vs. Grace is a theology of “DO or DONE!” Are you still trying to DO things to earn your salvation, or do you understand that it was DONE for you on the Cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ—you only need to accept/trust His provision on your behalf?

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). “Not by works of righteousness which we do, but according to His mercy He saves us” (Titus 3:5a).

notes:  (1) The fourth Tuesday of each month during 2013 ALN will look at one aspect of “Law vs. Grace” as seen in the Book of Galatians.

(2) In addition to this series of 12 posts on Law vs. Grace, you might take a look at two previous ALN posts.  Law vs. Grace (July 6, 2010) and Law vs. Grace, 2 (July 5, 2011), as well as The Core Message of the Bible #2 (February 1, 2011).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Full

~ The “Fullness” of Jesus Christ  ~

Full of Grace and Truth  ~  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).   

In Christ Is All the Fullness of God  ~   “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10). 

We Receive From His Fullness  ~  “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). 

The Church Represents the Fullness of Christ  ~  “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself” (Ephesians 1:22-23, NLT).

His Fullness Pleased the Father  ~  “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). “While He was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” (Matthew 17:5).  

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 81

~ Messiah Would Give Parting Gifts to Humans ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there” (Psalm 68:18). 

The Messiah  

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.’ (Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7-12). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

The Happiest Man In Eternity

~ Need Happiness? ~

Do you know who’s going to be the happiest man in all eternity?

The following is an excerpt from a book.

Now the Lord Jesus said this, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Why? “For they shall be filled.” Hunger and thirst. Why didn’t He say, “Blessed are the righteous?” Because most of us aren’t. He said this, “Blessed are those who do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Why? “Because they shall be filled.” Depending on your hunger for righteousness, depending on your thirst for righteousness, to that extent you will be filled.

Do you know who’s going to be the happiest man in all eternity? I’ll tell you who it’s going to be. It’s going to be Jesus Christ. Do you want me to tell you why? Because Jesus Christ was parched for God and for righteousness. He loved both. He had moral passions. That’s what the Scripture says, “Thou lovest righteousness.” Notice the sequence. “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.”

Because Jesus Christ loved righteousness and hated iniquity, God filled His cup full. He loved righteousness more than any other man loved righteousness, because He was infinite in His desire. Thou hast loved righteousness, therefore God has filled Your cup fuller than the cup of those around you.

Understand this and you will be happy. You will have whole-hearted joy in heaven and a corresponding desire for righteousness on earth. The Lord Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the righteous,” but rather, “Blessed are those who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

~ from “JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You, pgs 29-30  (ISBN: 9781615797646)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

7 Keys to Consistency

~ Steadiness in the Christian Life ~

Many today are searching for stability in their chaotic lives. In seven short verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 we are provided a straightforward seven-part formula for consistency and stability in our lives on earth. 

Consistent Prayer  ~ “Pray continually” (5:17).  Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). 

Consistent Thanksgiving  ~ “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (5:18). “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20-21). 

Consistent Response  ~  “Do not put out the Spirit's fire” (5:19). “Don't cause the Holy Spirit sorrow by the way you live. Remember, He is the one who marks you to be present on that day when salvation from sin will be complete” (Ephesians 4:30).

Consistent Learning  ~  “Don't stifle those who have a word from the Master” (5:20, The Message). “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15-16).

Consistent Evaluation  ~  “Test everything. Hold on to the good”(5:21). This is the secret to spiritual maturity, “The mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14b). 

Consistent Purity  ~  “Avoid every kind of evil” (5:22). Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9).

Consistent Joy  ~  “Be joyful always” (5:16). In the future this will be possible to the ultimate degree. “God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).  

Summary  ~  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (5:16-24).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW