The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17
Israel came to know their God with great trembling at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses was given His commandments there. The “thou shalts” and the “thou shalt nots” revealed God’s purity, His will for each person, and the consequences that would come with disobedience. This Holy God has standards beyond the human ability to maintain. And yet, He also wanted them to realize His grace, His provision for sin. Through their sacrifices and offerings, the chosen people could anticipate the promise of the Messiah to come.
When Christ came, He spoke words of compassion, grace, and truth. He was God revealed to anyone who believed. He did not discount the Mosaic law but expanded on it: “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” Not only ‘don’t commit murder’ but if you are angry with your brother, you will be liable for judgment (Matthew 5:21-22). Instead of focusing on the actions regulated by law, He brought attention to the attitudes of the heart that initiated the action.
From the beginning God said He would raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Israel had waited for Him longingly but most did not recognize Him when He came. Jesus was that Prophet… truth personified. He spoke with the power of God because He is God. His truth reveals the righteousness of God, and it allows for faith in Him to bring you into a right relationship with Him.
Stand firm in your faith. Then pray for this nation’s Congress, which looks to regulate and investigate, that they may know the truth of Scripture. May hearts be transformed and attitudes reflect the truth that is only found in Jesus.
Today’s Verse: John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 3:19-26
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
