The whole purpose of grace, in a sense, is just to enable us to keep the law. Holiness means being righteous, and being righteous means keeping the law. What is grace? It is that marvelous gift of God which, having delivered a man from the curse of the law, enables him to keep it and to be righteous as Christ was righteous, for He kept the law perfectly. Grace is that which brings me to love God; and if I love God, I long to keep His commandments. “He that has my commandments, and keeps them,” Christ said, “he it is that loves me.” (D.M. Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, page 197).
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@”The whole purpose of grace, in a sense, is just to enable us to keep the law”
– I may have misunderstood you. but here is my questions
– 1. If we keep the Law (through grace enabling us) then we cannot be righteous
and that Jesus death at the cross is useless. right?
“I do not misapply God’s grace, for if righteousness comes about by doing what the law requires, then the Messiah died for nothing”
– Galatians 2:21
– 2. If we keep the Law (through grace enabling us) then we are all still dead. right?
“So is the law in conflict with the promises of God? Of course not! For if a law had been given that could give us life, then certainly righteousness would come through the law”
– Galatians 3:21
– 3. If we keep the Law (through grace enabling us) then we continue in sin, because sin dominates us because of Law.. right?
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”
– Romans 6:14
Or I have certainly missed what you are trying to say when you said
“The whole purpose of grace, in a sense, is just to enable us to keep the law”
I didn’t mean to be argumentative, but can you shed some light for me? sorta confused
– grace and peace
As noted in the blog, this is a quote from D.M. Lloyd-Jones, in his book on the Sermon on the Mount. I came across the comment in my preparation for my sermon on Jesus’ teaching, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:20. I do not believe or teach that one can be saved by good works, and to attempt to do so is a denial of the very gospel of Christ, as you’ve indicated in the scriptures you’ve provided. However, the grace of God sets us free to live a life of holiness and righteousness in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, all the while trusting in and relying on the saving grace of God alone. To be holy, to be righteous, is to abide by the teaching of the Law. This is, I believe, the Reformed Teaching on the third use of the law.
That’s just a quick reply. I’m rather occupied reading ordination exams right now, and if I have the chance, I will give a better response later.
Thanks for reading, though, and for your comments.
SDG
thanks so much for the reply. no rush. please reply soon when you are not busy.
– grace and peace