Tag: Law

Understanding Righteousness: Law vs. Faith

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Moses described righteousness through the law, saying, “The person who obeys these commands will live by them.” Paul, however, speaks of a righteousness based on faith. This doesn’t require impossible tasks like ascending to heaven or descending to the depths. Instead, it declares, “The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the message of faith we preach.

Paul wasn’t contrasting Moses’ covenant with Christ’s. Even in Deuteronomy, Moses pointed to the covenant of grace—a promise that has existed throughout all time. This covenant opposes the one given to Adam, which demanded perfect obedience. Paul lamented that his fellow Israelites, despite their zeal for God, misunderstood this. They tried to establish righteousness through their own efforts rather than accepting God’s gift of grace through faith in Christ.

The righteousness of the law demanded perfect, uninterrupted obedience—every action, thought, and desire aligned with God’s will. Falling short, even slightly, meant failure. In contrast, the righteousness of faith doesn’t demand perfection. It doesn’t ask us to earn God’s favor but instead calls us to trust in Jesus, who justifies the ungodly and imputes righteousness through faith. As Scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

This new covenant doesn’t require payment for sins because Christ has already paid the price. It offers forgiveness and salvation freely through faith. Unlike the unattainable demands of the law, this covenant is near and accessible. It invites us to bring our sins to God, who forgives them completely. We are justified not because we are righteous, but because God justifies those who believe in Him. So, believe in Jesus, and you will be saved.

Why don’t we give Old Testament punishments today?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

A non-believer asked this question:  If the Bible is infallible, and God never changes, should we stone people today for violating Old Testament law as directed in the 15th chapter of Numbers? The simple answer is No, this is an oversimplification and it ignores context of who is speaking to whom and under what circumstances.

At times, God gave specific instructions to specific groups of people because of what they were doing and the situation man created at that time; and these situations are spelled out. The book of Numbers records specifically Israel’s exodus from Egypt and God’s directives to Israel. God gives detailed instructions to the Israelites. It’s clear they are going into the wilderness of Sinai. Nowhere does it say everyone now and in the future should go wander in the wilderness; it is clear the directive is to this group only.

To be clear, it is God’s people and their situation that is changing, not God.

Think of it this way. If I’m teaching one of my kids to drive and we come up to a traffic signal and the light is red, I’m going to say stop or you’ll get a ticket. If I give my child a driving lesson the next day and we approach the traffic signal and it is green, I would tell my child to drive through the intersection. Would it be odd for him to ask me why the law changed? The law didn’t change, the situation in which my child was changed.

What are your thoughts?

For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

Hebrews 7:12