Harmony of Law and Gospel

Romans 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

“We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government (Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17); that it is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (Romans 8:7,8); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel (Acts 13:38-39), and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church (Matthew 28:19,20; Hebrews 10:19-25; Jude 20,21).”

Scripture is full of judicial terms such as righteousness, trans­gression, judge, judgment, covenant, and condemnation.  They define the relationship between God and man as essentially one of Ruler and ruled (Daniel 4:34.35).  King and subject (Psalm 2).  Man is ever and always responsible to God.  He lives in God’s world.  God is the Sus­tainer, and the Benefactor of man (Matthew 5:45; Acts 17:25,28).

Rightly understood, the Law has always demanded a heart conformed to its requirements (Mark 12:28-34).  The regenerate are thus com­manded, and enabled to fulfill “the righteousness of the law” by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-9).  The motive of obedience is love  (Romans 13:8-10).  The Christian is “under the Law to Christ” (I Corinthians 9:21).  Indeed, as the Law is an expression of the will of God, it would be impossible for it ever to cease to be the ideal of human morality.

God’s Law is eternal, unchangeable, and without partiality (Romans 2:6-11).  There is no fickleness with God.  Samuel pointed this out to king Saul (I Samuel 15:29).  There is not one rule of morals for Amer­ica and another in China; one rule for the rich and another for the poor.  That which was right in Eden and Israel is right in Gainesville.  That which was wrong for Israel in the wilderness, was still wrong when they were safely housed in Canaan (Deuteronomy 8:11).  No change of place or time or possession or attainment can effect the holy Law of God (Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17).

The Bible nowhere regards God’s salvation by grace through faith, as proclaimed in the Gospel of Christ, as absolving a saved man from his accountability to God.  Indeed, the exact opposite is true (II Co­rinthians 5:10).  The word of God shows that justification by faith establishes the Law (Romans 3:31).  Salvation does not deliver from obligation to the righteous requirements of God, but so writes God’s Law on the heart (II Corinthians 3:3), that the saved delights to do the will of God (Ephesians 6:6)

We bring two declarations together (Romans 1:6:and 8:4).  The first is the Gospel, the second is the Law. “The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us.” Thus those who walk by faith have fulfilled in them, by the indwelling Spirit of God, the holy Law to the glory of the God of all grace (I Peter 5:10).

- - - - The Scriptures below are referenced in the doctrinal statement - - - -

Romans 3:31  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Matthew 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Luke 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Romans 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Romans 8:7-8  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Acts 13:38-39  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 10:19-25  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Jude 1:20-21  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.