Law and Grace # 22

The Standard of Life for Christians (continued)

The truth, of course, is that the Christian is not under law in any sense, whether moral or ceremonial. But on the other hand, both elements of the law continue to be essential parts of the total written Word of God down to the last "jot and tittle," and as such it is "profitable" to all the children of God in every age.

In this connection I would like to encourage Christians who delight in finding the Lord Jesus Christ upon every page of Scripture. Do not permit yourselves to be frightened by those over-cautious souls who cry against what they call "too much typology". Doubtless there are some things which may properly be catalogued as "type" and others not. But whatever you may call it, it is the privilege and highest duty of the Christian to discover and behold the face of the Lord Jesus in Scripture - everywhere! Far better to break a few rules of classical hermeneutics than to miss the vision of His blessed face.

We need only one caution -let us be sure that what we find is always true to the historic revelation of the Son as recorded in the New Testament. With this safeguard, there is no end to what we may find in the inspired record of the infinite and incarnate Son of God. And by finding Him throughout Scripture, we shall be finding the perfect will of God in the wonderful context of His grace. For grace reigns "through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:21).

7. This context of grace is the only environment in which the will of God can be most fully realized in the Christian life. In this context of grace we grow (2 Peter 3:18); we stand (1 Peter 5:12); we are built up (Acts 20:32); we are made strong (2 Timothy 2:1); we are made perfect (1 Peter 5:10); we find freedom from sin's dominion (Romans 6:14); we find complete liberty from legal bondage (Galatians 5:1-4); we find a sufficient motive for doing the will of God (2 Corinthians 8:9); we find an enabling power for Christian living (2 Corinthians 12:9); we find recovery when we fall (Hebrews 4:16); we find assurance as to the final outcome of the Christian life (Acts 20:32).

Let us take care to follow the counsel of the Apostle Paul, given to Christian believers in the midst of conflict with legalistic troublemakers, "Continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). And let us be cautious of those who offer any other counsel. Paul writes with deep indignation against those who urged a departure, seemingly very small, from the gospel of the grace of God (Galatians 4:9-12).

~Alva J. McClain~

(continued with # 23 - "Objections, Questions and Problems")