Know the Powerful Truth about the Law, Grace, and Faith

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Adam and Eve sinned. Everyone person who has ever lived, except for Jesus, has sinned. I sin. You sin.

Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.

Romans 3:23 & Romans 5:20a

We don’t like to admit it or think about it.

It’s much easier for us to make excuses and blame others. We look around and think, “I’m not as bad as __________. We also allow culture to determine that what God calls sin is too restrictive and declare those things socially approved.

But God’s Word says that sin deserves punishment.

Paul wrote…

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone…

Romans 5:12, 18a

Although sin began with Adam and Eve, we can’t blame them.

The Life Application Bible Notes adds…

“How can we be declared guilty for something Adam did thousands of years ago? Many feel it isn’t fair for God to judge us because of Adam’s sin. Yet, each of us confirms our heritage with Adam by our own sins every day.”

We’re not declared guilty for what Adam and Eve did. We’re guilty because of what we do. We sin.

That’s why these words of Paul are a necessary truth we need…

But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

Romans 5:15b–16

Praise God! He gave us something much greater than fairness. God gave us what we needed most, the gracious gift of forgiveness.

We often ask, “Why?” questioning God’s fairness when He allows pain and suffering. But think about how unfair it was that Jesus endured the unthinkable for our sins.

The perfect Son of God, who was and is completely innocent of any offense, suffered our death to give us the gracious gift of life. Through Jesus, we can be declared righteous before God.

You and I need to acknowledge that we are sinners, to recognize our need for God’s mercy and grace.

I love this analogy from the LAB Notes…

As sinners, you and I may see the law as a ladder to God. We repeatedly try to climb it, only to fall to the ground after advancing a rung or two. The sheer height of the ladder seems overwhelming. But imagine seeing Jesus offering open arms to lift you above the ladder of the Law and take you directly to God. Once you are in God’s presence, you are free to obey out of love, not necessity. Then, He also promises that if you stumble, you will not fall to the ground but be caught in Jesus’ loving arms. (paraphrase)

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Know and Live the Law
Under God’s Grace with Faith

Father God, this world can be hard. Living in a place where the presence of spiritual battles is both challenging and discouraging. It’s easy for us to want someone to blame. So, we blame Adam and Eve, thinking that if they had never sinned, our lives would be so much easier.

The truth is, we are sinners. I am a sinner. The enemy tempts me with lies, and although I want to rebuke and reject him, his persistence occasionally pays off, and I give in to doubt and disobedience. I am so very sorry. Please forgive me.

Yes, Adam and Eve sinned, and Your reaction to their sin shows us Your holiness. You can’t excuse sin. So, You gave us the Law to show us Your will and how truly sinful we are. But You also showed us how very gracious You are, sending Jesus to make it possible for us to be lifted above the ladder of the Law, forgiven through faith, and delivered to live in Your presence.

What an awesome and powerful truth. I can’t come to You on my own, but by Your grace through Jesus, I am delivered and declared Your child. I am loved.

Please increase my faith and give me everything I need to trust and obey You, not to try to climb the ladder, but to show You how very much I love You and how thankful I am for all You have done and continue to do for me.

With Your Spirit’s help, I will keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus, the One who began and perfects my faith. It’s in His holy name, I pray. Amen.

Quotes to Celebrate the Blessing of God’s Grace and Faith

“Change won’t happen through ‘trying harder’ but only through encountering the radical grace of God.” ~ Timothy Keller

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it

Ephesians 2:8–0

“The life of faith is a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways in which Gods grace and love are experienced.” ~ Eugene Peterson

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:16

“Put together all the tenderest love you know of, multiply it by infinity, and you will begin to see glimpses of the love and grace of God.” ~ Hannah Whitall Smith

Look up in faith! See the arms of grace reaching for you and lifting you above the ladder of the Law. You are loved and redeemed by grace through faith. Celebrate!

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