(Writer : Dessy Ariadna – Stand To JESUS)
What era do we live in now? Torah Law or Grace? This is a question that Christians in general often ask. The answer is that we now live in the New Testament era, the age of Grace.
And Grace only applies to people who want to live in it, while for people who do not want to live in it and choose to live under the law of the Torah, the law of Grace does not apply to them.
Grace is that we are saved because of our faith in JESUS, not because of our deeds. While the law of the Torah is that whoever can do it perfectly without making the slightest mistake will receive a blessing, if he fails in even one part then he is considered guilty of the whole thing and will receive a curse (James 2:10 -IMB For whoever obeys the whole law, but fails in one part, he is guilty of all.) And no one is able to carry out the Torah law perfectly.
Galatians 3:10 (IMB) Cursed is everyone who tries to live righteously by relying on the works of the Torah. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not faithfully do all that is written in the Book of the Torah. ”
Acts 15:10-11 (IMB) Now why did you test God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves could bear? On the contrary, we believe that because of the grace of the Lord JESUS Christ we are saved, and so are they. “
Romans 3:23-24 (IMB) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but by His grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ JESUS.
Romans 3:27-28 (IMB) So, is there any reason to boast? There isn’t any! Through what? Through actions? No, but through faith! Thus man is justified by faith, without keeping the law.
Romans 3:19-20 (IMB) But we know that everything that the law says is directed at those who are under the law, so that every mouth will be silenced and the whole world will be under the judgment of God. No human being can be justified before God by keeping the law of the Torah, because it is precisely through the law that man knows sin.
If humans could carry out the laws of the Torah perfectly without the slightest mistake then JESUS would not need to come, but because humans were not able to carry out the 10 commandments which have 613 commandments perfectly (Romans 7:7-25), then JESUS came to be the Savior, and whoever believes in Him will be justified by faith without keeping the law.
Romans 3:21-22 (IMB) And now, without the law, the righteousness of God witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets has been revealed. The righteousness of God by faith from JESUS Christ is available to all who believe without distinction.
Galatians 3:11-14 (IMB) Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by keeping the law, for: “The righteous shall live by faith. ” And the law of the Torah is not based on faith, but rather: “He who does it will live in it. ” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is the one who hangs on the cross,” so that in Jesus Christ the blessing of Abraham may reach the Gentiles, so that by faith we may receive the promised Spirit.
I know you must be wondering if you don’t live under the law and follow its rules, then how do people who live under Grace live their lives? Do they live a life without rules? The answer is of course no, all people who live under the laws of the New Testament, live by the rules that exist under the New Testament, not live without rules. There is a conversion of the rules of the Torah into the New Testament law (the law of grace), as follows :
1. Output 20:3 is converted to :
1 Corinthians 10:7 (IMB) Do not become idolaters like some of them, as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up and danced. ”
2. Exodus 20:4-6 is converted to :
1 Corinthians 10:14 (IMB) Therefore, my beloved brothers, keep yourselves away from idolatry.
1 John 5:21 (IMB) My children, keep yourselves away from idols! Amen.
3. Output 20:7 is converted to :
2 Timothy 2:19 (IMB) However, the firm foundation of God will continue to stand firm and be sealed by this: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the Name of Christ, let him abstain from crime. ”
4. Exodus 20:8-11 converted to :
Hebrews 10:25 (IMB) Let us not distance ourselves from our meetings for worship, as is the habit of some, but let us exhort one another and be more active in doing so as the Day of the Lord approaches.
5. Output 20:12 converted to :
Ephesians 6:1-3 (IMB) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is what is right. Honor your father and mother, that is the first commandment with a promise: that you will be good and live long on earth.
6. Exodus 20:13 is converted to :
Romans 13:10 (IMB) Love does not do evil to others, therefore love is the fulfillment of the Torah law.
7. Exodus 20:14 is converted to :
Hebrews 13:4 (IMB) In everything, honor marriage, and do not defile the marriage bed, for prostitutes and adulterers will be judged by God.
8. Output 20:15 converted to :
Ephesians 4:28 (IMB) If you have stolen before, do not steal again, but let him work, doing good with both hands, so that he can share with those in need.
9. Exodus 20:16 is converted to :
Ephesians 4:25 (IMB) Therefore, put away lies, and speak the truth towards each other, for we are fellow members of one another.
10. Exodus 20:17 is converted to :
Galatians 5:14 (IMB) For the entire law of the Torah is fulfilled in one word, namely: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ”
The New Testament law has the same rules as the Old Testament law, there is no such thing as people living under the New Testament law (Law of Grace) living as they please and without rules.
Hebrews 8:13 (NIV) When He spoke of a new covenant, He made the first covenant expire. And what is expired and old, is immediately eliminated.
Hebrews 8:13 (ESV) Because He spoke of a new covenant, He declared the first to be an old covenant. And what has become old and obsolete is nearing its extinction.
