The Profound intersection of law and gospel in Christian life
By Matt Schiesser
There are 5 questions I want you to ponder and think deeply about, which will serve as a type of Socratic guide to understanding the Law of God.
the intersection of
LAW & GOSPEL
What is the Law of God?
Why did God give a Law?
Does the Law apply to believers in Jesus today? If not, why not? If so, how so?
What is the interaction between the Law of God and the Grace of God?
How should we think about the Bible in terms of Law and Gospel? Why is this important for us as Christians today?
These questions are not just theological musings but are central to our understanding of the Christian life. My hope is that, through this series on the Law of God, we will gain clarity and insight into these profound topics and their implications for our faith and daily living.
The Main Point: The Transformative Power of Understanding Law and Gospel
Understanding the difference between the Law and the Gospel is life-changing. This is not a mere academic exercise; it’s about understanding the very nature of our relationship with God and the basis of our salvation.
A Young Pastor's Struggle
I recall a young pastor who once shared his frustration at a pastors' meeting. He felt his church was trying to place him back under the Law of God rather than living in the grace of God. This sentiment highlights a common struggle among Christians: reconciling the demands of the Law with the freedom of the Gospel.
The Text: Matthew 22:34-40
Let's delve into Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus is tested by the Pharisees and a lawyer. This passage is rich with context, coming after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his bold actions in the temple, challenging the religious elite.
In Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV), we read:
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus’ Profound Answer
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus does not merely pick one commandment; He summarizes the entire Law. The first commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second, which is like it, is to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus goes beyond the question, revealing that all of God’s Law hinges on these two principles.
The Deeper Implications
In each of the tests posed by the Pharisees, Jesus provides more than a simple answer. He expands on the concepts, pushing beyond the surface to reveal deeper truths. For instance, when asked about paying taxes (Matthew 22:21), He not only addresses the issue of allegiance to Caesar but also points to our ultimate allegiance to God. Similarly, in the discussion on life after death (Matthew 22:30), He highlights the living nature of our relationship with God, exemplified in the resurrection.
The Summary of the Law
In Matthew 22:40, Jesus states:
“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Here, Jesus condenses the entire Law into two overarching commands: love for God and love for neighbor. This summary is crucial for understanding the purpose of the Law and its place in the life of a believer.
Reconciling Law and Gospel
To fully grasp the significance of Jesus' teaching, we must consider His words in Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV):
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus affirms the continuity of the Law, yet also introduces a righteousness that surpasses the legalistic observance of the Pharisees. This brings us to a crucial distinction between Law and Gospel.
Law and Gospel: Understanding Their Roles
Martin Luther emphasized the importance of distinguishing between Law and Gospel, declaring it foundational for understanding Scripture. Theodore Beza and John Calvin echoed this sentiment, stressing that a proper grasp of this distinction is vital for a true comprehension of the Christian faith.
Defining the Terms: Law
The Law of God encompasses all commands given by God. These imperatives are His holy standards, as seen in the Ten Commandments. The Law says, “Do.” It is a declaration of what is required to live in accordance with God’s holiness.
Defining the Terms: Gospel
The Gospel, on the other hand, is the good news of who God is and what He has done. Unlike other religions that are based on adherence to laws and commands, Christianity is rooted in the proclamation of what has already been accomplished by Christ. The Gospel is about grace, mercy, and the completed work of Jesus on our behalf.
The Intersection of Law and Gospel
In Matthew 22, Jesus teaches the Law: the command to love God and neighbor. This is not the Gospel, which is about the good news of God's redemptive work in Christ. The Gospel calls us to believe and trust in what has been done for us, not to achieve righteousness through our own efforts.
Paul elaborates on this distinction in Romans 3:19-28, where he clarifies that the Law reveals sin and that justification comes through faith in Christ, not through works of the Law. The Law says, “Do,” but the Gospel says, “Done.” The Law commands, while the Gospel declares what Christ has accomplished.
The Practical Impact: Four Key Points
1. How You Approach God
Understanding that your standing before God is based on Christ's work, not your own, is liberating. It changes how you approach God, freeing you from the burden of performance-based acceptance and enabling you to rest in His grace.
Romans 8:1 (ESV):
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2. How You Address Personal Brokenness
The power to transform lives is found in the Gospel, not in piling more legalistic demands on people. The Gospel heals and restores by pointing us to Christ's finished work and the transformative power of His Spirit.
3. How You Combat Sin
Knowing that sin has been dealt with by Christ gives us a new perspective on fighting sin. We fight not to earn favor with God, but from a place of victory already won by Jesus.
4. How You Share the Gospel
Understanding the distinction between Law and Gospel shapes how we share our faith. We present the Gospel as the good news of what God has done, not as a set of rules to follow.
Conclusion: Embracing the Balance
As we continue exploring the relationship between Law and Gospel in the coming weeks, let us remember that the Law shows us our need for a Savior, and the Gospel provides that Savior in Jesus Christ. This understanding is not just theologically significant; it is vital for our everyday lives as we live out our faith in a world desperate for the true Gospel.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into these rich truths and uncover the life-changing power of distinguishing between the Law and the Gospel.
In this blog post, we've navigated the profound relationship between the Law and the Gospel, exploring how this distinction shapes our understanding of God, our relationship with Him, and our witness to the world. This journey promises to deepen our faith and enrich our lives as we embrace the full counsel of God's Word.
