Recently I ran into someone that questioned a sermon that I was preaching out of the 13th chapter of Hebrews. I stated that the New Testament (NT) believer lives under a higher law than the Old Testament (OT) saint, and thereby has a greater responsibility to obey the higher law. This listener took offense that I put the NT believer “back under law”.
The bulk of the OT is under the dispensation of the law; and the bulk of the NT is under the dispensation of grace (although I like to call it the dispensation of the local church). Paul makes a clear difference between law and grace in his writings to the Galatians. It is clear from his doctrine that the NT believer is not “under law” like the OT saint. However, there are some who teach that under OT law there was no grace, and under NT grace there is to be no law. These concepts are totally without merit, as there is indeed grace in the OT, and law in the NT!
Grace in the OT is found in the example of Noah, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen.6:8). Grace in the OT is demonstrated with the Hebrew word kesed, often translated as “loving kindness.” You can see the grace of God mingled with God’s law in the preaching of the OT prophets.
Law in the NT is found in the fact that the law of God is written in the heart of every creature (Rom. 2:14-15). Law in the NT is seen in the repetition of each of the 10 commandments (with the exception of Sabbath keeping) in the form of a NT command. The NT also has additional laws.
Here is a list:
- law of faith (Rom. 3:27),
- law of a husband (Rom. 7:2),
- law of God in the inward man (Rom. 7:22),
- law of sin (Rom. 7:23, 25);
- there is the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1);
- the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2);
- the law of liberty (Jam. 1:25; 2:12);
- and there is the law of love (Jam. 2:8).
Some times laws are referred to as principles or precepts. All of life is governed by law, including the Christian life. A life without law is called antinomianism, which eventually will lead to lawlessness (1Tim. 1:9). Although the NT Christian is not under law (due to the new dispensation of grace), he must still live, operate, and govern his life by law. Without law there is no discipline or order. God is not the author of confusion (non-order, 1Cor. 14:33); he demands that our lives be full of order because he is an orderly God.
So, the difference between law and grace is not that they are mutually exclusive of one another, but that they must function with one another. Law without grace is legalism; grace without law is antinomianism. Grace operates on a higher plain then does law. Paul called it a new and better covenant in the book of Hebrews.
Extract from: The Hedgemaker Newsletter – Dr. Lee Henise, Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church – Manheim, PA – www.hedgemaker.org
