BIBLICAL TRUTHS (Part 2)
“We are not under the law, but under grace” is a popular saying in Christendom today. This has led to the diversion of the intent of grace and has given room for licentious living among many so-called Christians. However, the Bible is clear on this: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” Romans 6:14. Grace does not tolerate sin.
It is true that Christ has released us from the power of the schoolmaster; the Old Testament laws, which are mainly ceremonial, civil and sanitation laws, but then their principles still apply now. Yet, Christ emphasized that “Think not that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” Mathew 5:17. It simply means that while the first three laws have been abolished, the fourth, the moral law hold sway today and we are still bound to it.
The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God for all ages. It reveals the nature and will of God and Jesus Himself obeyed it fully.
In the New Testament, Christ gave a deeper meaning to the moral laws of the Old Testament. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of judgment: and I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgment…” (Mathew 5:21-48). Therefore, in this dispensation of grace, much more is required from Christians. It is not enough to claim that you have killed no one neither have you committed adultery, you are guilty of these sins already when you are overtaken by anger or when you lust after the opposite gender.
Where then did we get it wrong in this generation? The raging scourge of pseudo-gospel on our college campuses has further advanced the loss of true meaning of God’s transforming grace among intellectuals. What a pity! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly. righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:11, 12).
