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    Law and Gospel
    Law and Gospel
    Law and Gospel
    Ebook294 pages4 hours

    Law and Gospel

    By Kristina Howells

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    About this ebook

    This book has been written to understand what is meant by the Law and Gospel. How the Ten Commandments are relevant to our walk with the Lord. The different categories of Law as defined in the bible, God’s law in today’s society, as well as God’s law in men’s hearts. This book will also help you understand the importance of the Law and Gospel; the law and Jesus, the spirit of life and finally Calvin on the Law and the Gospel. The Law of God is vital for our very existence in both this world and the world to come.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKristina Howells
    Release dateJun 22, 2011
    ISBN9781458135353
    Law and Gospel
    Author

    Kristina Howells

    I am a published author and poet. I currently live in Calais in France, I am a British expat. I have written non-fiction and fiction works. I design all my book covers, and I have become an online judge of ebooks. My works include: A Hatter goes Mad Te Deum Una voce Lettre Fatale Making sense of the Genesis Flood Making sense of the Life of Christ Law and Gospel Les Delices de Calais Short stories Poetry Since my publishers have gone out of business due to the credit crisis I am now self publishing using Lulu.com to help me. It is easy to publish without paying for it when you know how. All my works are found on amazon. If you wish to contact me please do not hesitate all queries will be answered.

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      Book preview

      Law and Gospel - Kristina Howells

      Law and Gospel

      Copyright Dr Kristina Howells

      Smashwords Edition

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      *****

      All Scripture quotations come from the English Heritage Bible and KJV.

      ******

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to all my friends and family who have supported me in this work.

      A special mention also goes to Dr Gwin Turner President of Cathedral University who has now sadly passed away for his help and support in proof reading this book.

      Proverbs 18:24; A man may be good for nothing to his friends, and there is a friend who sticks like a brother.

      *****

      Contents page

      Introduction

      Chapter 1 Law and Gospel

      Chapter 2 Law of God

      Chapter 3 The Ten Commandments

      Chapter 4 The categories of the Law

      Chapter 5 God’s law in today’s society

      Chapter 6 God’s law in men’s hearts

      Chapter 7 Importance of the Law and Gospel

      Chapter 8 Law and Grace

      Chapter 9 Understanding the Law and Gospel

      Chapter 10 The Law and Jesus

      Chapter 11 The Law and the Spirit of Life

      Chapter 12 Calvin on the Law and the Gospel

      Conclusion

      Bibliography and References

      ******

      Introduction

      This book has been written to reflect on the Law and Gospel and how the Ten Commandments are relevant to our walk with the Lord. The different categories of Law which will be looked at are how the law is defined in the bible, God’s law in today’s society, as well as God’s law in men’s hearts.

      However, we do need to fully understand the importance of the Law and Gospel; this will be looked at in detail, which will conclude with understanding the Law and Gospel, the law and Jesus, the spirit of life and finally Calvin on the Law and the Gospel.

      The Law of God is vital for our very existence in both this world and the world to come. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, as he says in Matthew 5:17-19;

      17 Do not suppose that I came to loosen down the law or the prophets; I absolutely did not come to loosen down, but to fulfill.

      18 Because, Amen, I say to you, Until heaven and earth pass away, one iota or one particle will absolutely not pass away from the law until all comes to be.

      19 Whoever therefore will make one of these least commandments loose, and teaches men in this way, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever does and teaches them, this one will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

      Therefore what the scripture tells us clearly here is that we are all subjected to the law and to the judgments. Jesus in these words says that ministers of His Word who teach that the Law of God as given to Moses is not important will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, and those who teach the Law of God as given to Moses will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

      There are far too many of God’s ministers who have taken a non-biblical view of Paul’s teachings, and taught either directly or by their neglect that God’s Law as given to Moses is not applicable today. Many preach only the New Testament, and consider the Old Testament as not important. They neither study it, nor preach it. The reason is that they do not understand what Jesus did.

      Jesus states very clearly that He did not come to loosen down the law, but to fulfill it, Matthew 5:17 and further declares that not one iota or one particle will pass away until all comes to be – not only in the life of Jesus, but also in the life of the believer, as well as ultimately in the new heaven and the new earth.

      We cannot be saved by keeping the Law, because no one has ever lived perfect on this earth except Jesus. That is why Jesus came, to do what we could not do - to do that for us. Upon taking Him, His Holy Spirit creates within us a new spirit and nature, and enables us to obey His law.

      Only the most deceived would argue that we are exempt from obeying the Ten Commandments since we have become Christians. As a new born believers we are not now free to commit adultery, steal, and violate all the rest of God’s commandments, because Jesus fulfilled the Law for us,

      Rom 6:1; What therefore shall we speak? Shall we stay in sin that grace may super- abound?

      We need to understand that there is one Law, God’s Law. There never have been two, nor will there ever be. The same Law of God given to Israel is the same Law given to all, and applicable to all,

      Num 15:16; One law and one judgment shall be for you and for the stranger who lodges with you.

      The law of Jehovah is complete, converting the soul, Psalm 19:7; The law of Jehovah is complete, converting the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is faithful, making the open wise.

      The Law of Moses only claimed completeness or perfection in the coming of the Messiah to pour out His blood in the perfect sacrifice to fulfill every detail prophesied in the Law of Moses. The error the Pharisees and others espoused in Jesus’ day was that they thought that their outward efforts to outwardly conform to God’s Law would save them, rejecting the Holy Spirit conviction that they had not been able to perfectly keep God’s Law even outwardly much less in their hearts, and rejecting God’s Messiah who was the fulfillment of every Law of sacrificial blood ever pictured in any animal sacrifice, as well as perfectly fulfilling the moral law, and all the rest of the law.

      There is only one Law, but for purposes of understanding the Law it can be divided into the moral Law, the ceremonial Law, the civil Law, and the health Law. We are more responsible for the moral Law today than ever before because of its complete fulfillment and revelation in the life of Jesus, and our receiving a holy nature enabling us to live it out in our lives.

      The ceremonial Law was fulfilled to the last detail in the Lord Jesus, and we reap its blessings in the present Priestly ministry of the Lord Jesus, and His shed blood now effective in the Holy of Holies in heaven, where we are to boldly enter constantly to receive grace, Heb 10:19; Having therefore, brothers, outspokenness for entrance into the sanctuary in the blood of Jesus

      The civil Law which God gave to govern Israel, to protect the innocent, to punish the guilty, and to control the spread of lawlessness and chaos, is perfect, and far superior to the laws of any modern government.

      The health Law given by God to maintain health by eating habits, and washings to cleanse away disease and maintain health, and obedience to, and faith in, all of God’s moral, civil, and spiritual laws to receive and maintain healing, is far superior to any medical science anywhere in the modern world.

      So we do not quote Paul that we are not under law, but under grace, Rom 6:14; Because sin will absolutely not lord it over you, because you are absolutely not under the law, but under grace.

      Amen

      ******

      Law and Gospel

      Rom. 3:21-31;

      21 And now the righteousness of God apart from the law has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets,

      22 And the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith is to all, and upon all those believing, because there is absolutely no variation,

      23 Because all have sinned, and lack the glory of God;

      24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus,

      25 Whom God has set forth to be a covering through faith in his blood, to a display of his righteousness through the passing over of sins previously transpired in the forbearance of God,

      26 For the display of his righteousness in the present time, into his being righteous and justifying the one who is of Jesus’ faith.

      27 Where therefore is boasting? It is shut out. Through what law? Of works? Absolutely not, but through the law of faith.

      28 Therefore we calculate that a man is justified by faith apart from law works.

      29 Or is he the God of the Jews only? And is he absolutely not also of the races? Yes, also of the races.

      30 Since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcision out of faith and the uncircumcision through faith,

      31 Therefore do we render the law inoperative through faith? We do not! O nthe contrary, we cause the law to stand.

      This scripture tells us that we are saved by God’s grace, through faith alone, apart from the works of the law.

      However, there are many amongst us that question justification is by grace alone, but it is also through faith and the righteousness of Christ. But it is one notion to distinguish between faith and works, and a different notion to distinguish law and gospel.

      What is the Traditional Distinction?

      The traditional distinction applies to the false and the true way of salvation. That is defined in the Gospel as being two messages, one that consists of commands, threats, and therefore terrors, and the other that consists of promises and comforts.

      We are saved entirely by God’s grace and not by works, we can see clearly in the bible that there are two different messages of God in the Scripture, one is of command (law) and the other is of promise (Gospel).

      In Scripture itself, commands and promises are found together. With God’s promises there are also commands to repent of sin and believe the promise. The commands are not merely announcements of judgment, but God’s grace upon us to repent of sin and believe in him.

      As the Psalmist says, be gracious to me through your law, Psalm. 119:29.

      Mark 1:15; And saying, The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is drawing near; repent, and believe in the good news

      Acts 14:15; And saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like feelings as you, announcing the good news to you to turn from these empty things to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them,

      Acts 20:21; Solemnly witnessing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

      Many preachers take these two passages when preaching the command to repent of sin as an importance in their sermons.

      Where is the Law and Gospel in Scripture?

      The New Testament is the good news that the kingdom of God has come in Jesus and that He had come to fulfil the law.

      Matt. 4:23, And Jesus went around the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every weakness in the people.

      Matt. 5:17, Do not suppose that I came to loosen down the law or the prophets; I absolutely did not come to loosen down, but to fulfill.

      Matt 9:35, And Jesus went around all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every weakness in the people.

      Mark 1:14, And after that John was given over into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

      Luke 4:43, And he said to them, Because also I must announce the good news of the kingdom of God to other cities, because I was set apart and sent for this.

      Acts 20:24, But I make absolutely no word of it, and I absolutely do not hold my soul precious to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry, which I took alongside of the Lord Jesus, to solemnly witness to the good news of the grace of God.

      What is God’s Kingdom?

      God’s Kingdom is:-

      1. God's sovereign power,

      2. His sovereign authority,

      3. His coming to defeat Satan and bring about salvation,

      4. God's power including the Resurrection of Christ.

      God’s authority is the constant reiteration of his commandments. When the power of God's kingdom appears, it is time for people to repent. We must obey the Gospel.

      2 Thess. 1:8, In flaming fire giving vengeance to those not seeing God, and those not attentively hearing the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      1 Pet. 4:17, Because it is time to begin the judgment from the house of God, and if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those not being convinced of the good news of God?

      The Gospel requires a certain kind of conduct; we must obey the word of God.

      Acts 14:15; And saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like feelings as you, announcing the good news to you to turn from these empty things to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them.

      Gal. 2:14; But when I saw that they absolutely did not walk uprightly with the truth of the good news, I said to Peter in front of all, If you, being a Jew, live as one of another race, and absolutely not as Jews, why do you constrain the races to be Jews?

      Phil. 1:27; Only let your behaviour as a citizen be worthy of the good news of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or whether I am away, I hear the things concerning you, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul wrestling together for the faith of the good news.

      Rom 2:16; In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my good news.

      God brings his power and authority to bear on all of his creatures. In His kingdom, He establishes peace.

      Eph. 6:15; And having put shoes on the feet in the preparation of the good news of peace.

      Acts 10:36; The word which he set apart and sent to the children of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).

      Rom. 10:15; And how may they preach, if they have not been set apart and sent? As it has been written, How beautifully timely are the feet of them who announce the good news of peace, those announcing the good news of inherent good things!

      The Gospel shows us how God brings Gentiles and Jews together in one body.

      Rom. 16:25; And to the one having power to set you steadfast according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, having been kept silent since the eternal ages.

      Eph. 6:19; And for me, that the word may be given to me, in opening my mouth in outspokenness, to make known the mystery of the good news.

      God's power is to save, and that is also by the reiteration of God's commands, and His coming to execute his plan, that is the Gospel. It is good news to know that God is bringing His plans to fruition.

      In Isa. 52:7; How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who announces good tidings, who causes peace to be attentively heard, who announces good tidings of good, who causes salvation to be attentively heard, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!

      This is one of the most important passages of the New Testament in terms of the Gospel: It is the reign of God that is good news, news that ensures peace and salvation. Even the demand for repentance is good news, because it shows that God is willing to forgive for Christ's sake.

      However, the Gospel includes law as important: God’s authority, his demand to repent. Even on the view of those most committed to the law and the Gospel, and more importantly the Gospel commands us to believe.

      It requires faith as well, as faith itself works through love,

      Gal. 5:6; Because in Christ Jesus absolutely neither circumcision has strength for anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith supernaturally working through love.

      And is dead without good works

      James 2:17; In this way, faith, if it does not have works, by itself is dead.

      Having faith does not mean that you are saved or merit salvation, any more than any other human act merits salvation. Thus when we speak of faith, it is not based just on the ground of salvation, but as the instrument.

      Faith saves, not because one merits salvation, but because it reaches out to receive God’s grace in Christ. Nevertheless, faith is an obligation, as well as the command to believe.

      It is also true that law is included in the Gospel. God gives us his law as part of a covenant, and that covenant is a gift of God’s grace. As it is written, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

      It is only after Israel proclaimed His saving grace that God then issues his commands to Israel, by offering Israel a new way of life, conferred by His grace.

      Deut. 7:7-8; Jehovah did not join you to himself in love because you were more abundant than all peoples, or choose you because you were the fewest of all people, Because of Jehovah’s love to you, and because he hedged about the oath which he swore to your fathers, Jehovah has brought you out with a strong hand, and redeemed you out of the house of servants, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

      Deut 9:4-6; "Do not say in your heart, after that Jehovah, your God, has pushed them out from before your face, saying, Jehovah has brought me in to possess this land for my righteousness; but Jehovah drives them out from before your face for the wickedness of these peoples.

      5 You go to possess their land, not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, but Jehovah, your God, possesses them from before your face because of the wickedness of these peoples, and that he may cause the word to rise up which Jehovah swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

      6 You shall know by seeing that Jehovah, your God, is not giving you this good land to possess for your righteousness, because you are a stiff-necked people."

      Does the command of God refer to the law or gospel?

      We can see that it is both for we are told in Ex. 20:18-21; "And all the people saw the voices, and the flames, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw, they vacillated back and forth, and stood afar off.

      19 And they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will attentively hear; and do not let God speak with us lest we die.

      20 And Moses said to the people; Do not fear, because God has come in order to test you, and that his fear may be upon your faces that you do not sin.

      21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses came near to the thick darkness there where God was."

      This passage of scripture tells us that Israel was terrified upon hearing it. But in fact it offers a blessing, and a promise. Moses and the Prophets ensure that we sinners hear the law and the commandments as well as the good news that stops us from perishing in Hell.

      As Jesus says to his disciples in Matt. 16:24-28; "Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone wills to come after me, let him utterly deny himself, and lift up his cross, and follow me,

      25 Because whoever wills to save his soul will destroy it, and whoever will destroy his soul on account of me will find it;

      26 Because what will a man be benefited, if he should gain the whole world, but experience the loss of his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

      27 Because the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his heavenly messengers, and then he will give back to everyone according to his action.

      28 Amen, I say to you that, There are some standing here who will absolutely not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

      In both the law and gospel, God proclaims His work, and he demands that His people respond by obeying his commands. The terms law and Gospel differ in emphasis, as they overlap and intertwine. They permit to show the Word of God is from different perspectives.

      Therefore we can conclude by saying that the Bible is both law (because as a whole it speaks with divine authority and requires belief) and Gospel (because it is good news to fallen creatures). Each concept is meaningless without the other.

      The law often brings terror. Israel was frightened by the wrath of God against their sin on Mount Sinai.

      Ex. 20:18-21; "And all the

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