One grace in the Ten Commandments | Pastor Raph | Dec. 08, 2024

One grace in the Ten Commandments

The Word of God unequivocally states that the power of sin is the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56 (ESV) 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

The law represents God’s demands and requirements. However, you have been released from those demands.

God, in Christ, fulfills His own requirements within and on behalf of the Christian. Christians no longer need to adhere to the law to be accepted by God or transformed.

Legalism can seem appealing on the surface. It offers a sense of clarity and structure, which can be reassuring for people trying to live ethically and maintain morality for themselves and others. But here’s the problem: Legalism obscures the heart of the gospel—God’s saving grace.

Paul highlights that the law itself is good and holy. Its purpose is to reveal sin for what it truly is—utterly destructive—so that we might recognize our need for God’s grace.

Galatians 3:24 (ESV): So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

The goal of the law is to bring us to the place of grace, that is, humility.

James 4:6 (ESV): “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

Holding the right to be resentful.

A terrible temptation is to hold onto the way of law, the outward religious way, just to hold onto resentment.

As crazy as it sounds, that motivates many to think they can follow the law. They want the right to be right. It is a false sense of justice and self-reliance. “I want justice.” 

1 Peter 2:19-23 (ESV): For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

May the Lord guard our hearts from this spirit of deceit. No one will drink poison and will succeed in hurting their perpetrator.

But is not the law a guardian against temptation and evil impulses?

What to do with temptation?

First, temptation only happens to those who are born again. Those who have the nature of God that is compatible with sin.

Think about those under the power of sin; it is not a matter of temptation; for them, it is a matter of following their sinful nature. We, on the contrary, have a new heart that rejects sin. Believers in Christ have received a new nature that inherently rejects such acts. I love the example of allergy. 

I may be able to eat seashell food; however, as tasteful as it may be to my taste buds, it will ultimately produce an allergy reaction that will not give me comfort and peace.

Someone asked the pastor, “If there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, then could a Christian do whatever he wishes?” The pastor replied, “If all that he wishes means ungodly things, maybe that individual should not be called a Christian at all.”

In the Old Covenant, the law was inscribed on tablets of stone; in the New Covenant, God’s will is now inscribed upon the hearts of believers through the Spirit given to them.

Galatians 5.1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

In the New Testament, the apostles do not establish new formats of commandments such as, “You shall not … “ But the New Testament way to admonish the believer is by affirming “Do this” “Act like that”

Galatians 5:16-18 (ESV) 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

It is not the law that dictates a believer’s conduct. The law existed for thousands of years, yet it failed to prevent sin among humanity. The pivotal element in the Christian journey is the decision to walk by the Spirit.

Got it! Here’s the revised version with each verse in its own paragraph and italicized for clarity:

"Being" before "doing it"

It is being “in Christ”. He is who shapes everything we do. 

It’s about being first and then doing. When we forget who we are in Him, it’s easy to swing to extremes—either getting caught up in strict rule-following (legalism) or falling into spiritual laziness (lethargy).

“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

This means our actions (practice) should naturally flow out of our identity (position) in Christ.

Theologians often use two words to explain this: the “indicative” and the “imperative.” 

The indicative is what’s already true—our position in Christ—and the imperative is what we’re called to do because of that truth. 

Because we’re saved (indicative), we’re called to live out that salvation (imperative) with fear and trembling.

Here are some examples from Scripture that show how these two ideas—position and practice—work together:

“For sin shall not be master over you” (Romans 6:14, indicative).

“Do not let sin reign in your mortal body” (Romans 6:12, imperative).

“You became slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:18, indicative).

“Present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification” (Romans 6:19, imperative).

“You have been raised with Christ . . . you died” (Colossians 3:1-3, indicative).

“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead” (Colossians 3:5, imperative).

It’s all about balance. For instance, the Corinthians leaned too heavily on the “already.” They thought they’d arrived spiritually and ignored the “not yet” aspects of their faith. Paul called them out, even sarcastically saying:

“You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you” (1 Corinthians 4:8).

On the flip side, the Galatians were stuck on the “not yet.” They were trying to earn God’s favor through works, forgetting Christ’s sufficiency.

“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3).

Both legalism and lawlessness miss the mark. Legalism can come from relying on self-effort rather than the Spirit or seeing rules as the end-all instead of a guide to Christlike character.

The danger is that legalism denies Christ’s sufficiency. It’s like carrying guilt that Jesus already bore on the Cross.

 Legalism also emphasizes rule-following over the heart change that comes from cultivating virtue—becoming more like Christ through daily habits of love and service.

Instead, obedience should come from gratitude for God’s grace. Samuel told Saul:

“To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Jesus echoed this when He said:

“I desire compassion, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13).

Freedom in Christ isn’t about doing whatever we want. It’s the power to do what we ought:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

C.S. Lewis said, in the end, there are two kinds of people: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.”

Obedience and love go hand in hand. Jesus said:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Obeying God’s commands isn’t about earning salvation but trusting Him and responding to His grace.

Even the Ten Commandments, while given in the Old Testament, are echoed in the New Testament as a guide for living in Christ. They show us how to trust God and live in a way that reflects our faith.

In the end, God’s law isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a gift. It’s like headlights on a car, lighting the way for us to become more like Jesus.

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

For Christians, the law points us toward Jesus and helps us grow in love, obedience, and character.

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I command you this day for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

What does the New Testament state regarding the law?

Key Points on the Law with Supporting Verses

1. The law is designed for the unrighteous, not for the righteous.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV): Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.

2. The law constitutes an unbearable yoke.

Acts 15:10 (ESV):Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

3. The law reveals sin but is incapable of correcting it.

Romans 3:20 (ESV): For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

4. If the law were effective, faith would be rendered unnecessary.

Romans 4:14 (ESV): For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.

5. The law brings wrath upon those who follow it.

Romans 4:15 (ESV): For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

6. The law’s purpose was to increase transgression.

Romans 5:20 (ESV):Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

7. Christians are not under the law.

Romans 6:14 (ESV):For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

8. Christians have been released from the law.

Romans 7:1 (ESV):Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? […]

Romans 7:6 (ESV) But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

9. The law cannot render an individual good or holy.

Mark 10:18 (ESV) 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Mark 10:20 (ESV) 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

Mark 10:21-22 (ESV) 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

10. The law, which promises life, results in death due to sin.

Romans 7:10 (ESV):The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.

These passages collectively highlight the dual nature of the law: its goodness in revealing God’s standards and its limitations in providing salvation. We need grace through Jesus Christ.

The commandment is holy, just, and good

It must be acknowledged that the law is indeed holy, and the commandments are holy, just, and good.

Romans 7:12 (ESV) 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Both God gave the law and grace. The critical distinction is that the law has passed for Christians, whereas the rest of the world still lives under its condemnation.

The law embodies God's character. Now, think about that. If the law is the portrait of the image of God, who could ever fulfill perfectly that image in a human experience?

(Hebrews 1:3, ESV) “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

However, only Christ represents God the Father, so believers must look to Christ, not the law.

We do not preach against the law. On the contrary, we will examine the inherent beauty of the law and, by it, be directed for grace.

But keep in mind this: if humanity were capable of fully keeping the law, the world would be an idyllic place, rendering Christ’s coming unnecessary. 

Christ came, and the purpose of the law was to reveal humanity’s profound sinfulness and complete inability to satisfy God’s righteous requirements, emphasizing the need for Christ.

1. One God

The law of Moses marked a significant advancement in civilization, and a closer examination of it is warranted.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me

Exodus 20:2-3 (ESV): I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image

Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV): You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain

Exodus 20:7 (ESV): You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

These verses form the first three commandments of the Decalogue, focuson reverence and exclusive worship of One God.

The Lord has decreed that anyone who violates this commandment shall not be held guiltless. This implies that it is one of the most severe transgressions.

Levels of aggression to God’s image determine degrees of sinfulness.

Some assert that sins are equally severe; however, this interpretation is flawed.

The Lord informed Pilate that those who handed Him over were guilty of greater sin and stated that Capernaum’s sins were more severe than those of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Jn 19:11; Mt 11:23-24).

John 19:11 (ESV): Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Matthew 11:23-24 (ESV): And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.

There are varying degrees of sin and accountability before God based on the knowledge and opportunity given to individuals or communities.

The gravity of taking the Lord’s name in vain arises from a misinterpretation of its meaning. Most interpret this commandment as prohibiting the casual invocation of God’s name, as in, “My God, how busy my day has been today!” Such an interpretation diminishes the seriousness of God’s judgment.

In the original Hebrew, the text does not state, “Do not take,” but rather, “Do not carry.” The literal translation reads, “Do not bear the name of the Lord your God in vain.” The New International Version translates it as “misuse,” which more accurately captures the original intent.

Exodus 20:7 (NIV): You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

What does “bear” or “misuse” God’s name mean? It implies committing evil deeds under the pretense of representing God. If an individual who is not religious commits evil, it does not tarnish God’s reputation.

When one, in the name of God, dares to say, “God told me.” “I am abandoning the church because God said to me…” “I am not following this direction because The Holy Spirit told me…” It is very serious.

We may all fall into that trap when we have no biblical argument or reasonable motivation and may even commit evil acts in God’s name, they not only commit the act itself but also bring shame to God’s name.

Think of the violence committed by extremists who torture, bomb, behead, and perpetrate genocide, all in the name of God. Such individuals will not be held blameless.

The most common objection to believing in God is the evil perpetrated in His name. Religiously motivated evil, which destroys victims and damages God’s image, is considered the most egregious sin.

Matthew 5:37 (ESV): Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Colossians 3:13-17 (ESV) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In Christ, we always have the yes.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.