<p>Law, Grace and Truth</p><p> </p><p>“The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).</p><p> </p><p>1. The law was delivered to Moses by an angel. So it is given.</p><p>The law was entrusted to Israel.</p><p>However, grace and truth come through Christ. They are given.</p><p>Salvation does not occur through the words delivered by angels.</p><p>Salvation comes only through the word of the Son (John 5:25, Hebrews 1:2).</p><p> </p><p>2. The law is a word inscribed on stone tablets.</p><p>However, grace and truth are words inscribed on the tablets of the heart. It is a new covenant.</p><p> </p><p>3. The law makes us know what sin is.</p><p>Just as a doctor takes an X-ray to explain a patient's illness, it silences the mouths of those who claim to be without sin (Romans 3:19).</p><p>Grace and truth make us know what God’s righteousness is.</p><p>Grace is the total amount of God’s love bestowed through Christ.</p><p>Truth enables us to receive the Holy Spirit through repentance that follows grace, learn, have righteousness, and approach God.</p><p>Grace and truth are a ladder that reaches to heaven.</p><p> </p><p>4. The law is a law that kills. It is the law of sin and death.</p><p>However, grace and truth are a law that gives life; they are the law of the Spirit of life.</p><p>Therefore, in the early stages of faith, everyone begins with signs, comes to know grace, and has eternal life.</p><p>Signs occur while one is under the law (1 Corinthians 1:22).</p><p>Grace and truth enable one to have life and approach the Father.</p><p> </p><p>5. Because the law is a covenant of works, unconditional obedience is required.</p><p>Breaking the law results in immediate punishment.</p><p>However, grace and truth grant the ability to obey.</p><p>This is precisely the covenant of grace.</p><p> </p><p>6. The law offers sacrifices in the earthly temple. However, grace and truth lead to worship that enters the heavenly sanctuary.</p><p> </p><p>7. The Law offers sacrifices through visible substitutes. Grace and Truth become the offerings through which believers approach God in truth.</p><p> </p><p>8. The Law is a mirror that allows one to see oneself. It is like the reflection of the laver.</p><p>Grace and Truth are like cosmetics that glorify oneself by seeing glory in Christ.</p><p>Look at Moses' face. When one goes to Christ, the veil is removed, and one is transformed into His image according to grace and truth, seeing glory upon glory. It is likely the Christian's best cosmetic. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)</p><p> </p><p>9. The Law is the Old Covenant. Grace and truth are the New Covenant.</p><p> </p><p>10. The Law is a shadow, but grace and truth are the substance.</p><p> </p><p>11. The Law is like a map to a treasure island.</p><p>Grace and truth are the treasure island itself.</p><p>Through grace and truth, the glory of the Only Begotten Son is manifested within us (John 1:18).</p><p>If the glory of the Only Begotten Son is manifested within us through grace and truth, the earnest desires of those who wish to see the Tabernacle of Testimony in heaven through contemplative prayer can be satisfied. And if the Spirit of the Son permeates and fills them, that Spirit will permeate others as well; just as Christ sent us into the world, we too will be able to receive the Lord's sending and send them out.</p><p>Therefore, when the Spirit of Truth comes, He enables us to do the works that the Lord has done and to do even greater works (John 14:12).</p><p> </p><p>12. The Law is the principle of works. However, grace and truth are the principles of faith. If faith is alive, works follow.</p><p> </p><p>13. The Law is a visible blessing. It is an audiovisual aid.</p><p>Grace and truth are invisible spiritual blessings. For reference, what God made is visible, but what He created is not visible to the naked eye. Human forms appear in various colors, but the image of God is one and invisible.</p><p> </p><p>14. Under the Law, humans are the subject of action. However, in grace and truth, Christ who dwells within us is the subject.</p><p> </p><p>15. The law distances us from God. Under the law—that is, under the law of sin and death—it claims that God is in heaven.</p><p>However, mastering grace and truth leads us to draw near to God.</p><p>For the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and it is said that delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4).</p><p>It is joy derived from grace and truth in Christ.</p><p> </p><p>Written by Pastor YOHAN KIM </p><p>Translated by Missionary Sookyung Chung </p><p>COME AND SEE WORLD MISSION </p><p>TO GOD BE THE GLORY</p>
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