The Never Ending Arguments on Laws & Grace - Rev G Ong on Ps J Prince

Since the beginning of Christianity, these Laws and Grace things arguments never end. 
Does grace do away with Laws? In the Bible, Paul asks the rhetorical question, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” in Romans 6:1. Paul's response is “Certainly not!” in Romans 6:2. 

Here is "George Ong’s 25-minute verbal reply to Joseph Prince" YouTube video.

The Balance Understanding of Laws and Grace

Laws were God's standards for men. But men are unable to live up to the Laws. To save men, God has to come through Jesus' redemption and a new life for men -- the grace. Grace is the empowerment, not just forgiveness, for men to live out the new life in Christ, which is higher standards than the laws.

If we do away with the Laws, then how could people know right and wrong? Without preaching adherence to the Laws, pastors are worried that members would sin if not freely. But would people change just by knowing the right and wrong? 

Consider  Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. He repented because of the Laws or because of the love that Jesus extended to him? It is always love and acceptance that could touch and change a person. Throwing a standard of right behavior may only make a person find excuses and be defensive. That is the power of Grace.

DeepSeek AI comments:

Your statement reflects a thoughtful and nuanced understanding of the relationship between law, grace, and the new life in Christ. It aligns with a biblical perspective that emphasizes both the purpose of the law and the transformative power of grace. Let’s break this down further:

1. Laws as God's Standards

• The law, given through Moses, represents God's holy and perfect standards for humanity (Psalm 19:7, Romans 7:12). It reveals God's character and His expectations for righteous living.
• However, the law also exposes humanity's inability to meet these standards on their own. As Romans 3:20 states, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."
• The law serves as a mirror, showing us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24).

2. Humanity's Inability to Fulfill the Law

• Despite the law's perfection, humans are inherently sinful and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). No one can perfectly keep the law, and the consequences of sin are separation from God (Romans 6:23).
• This inability highlights the need for redemption—a way for humanity to be reconciled to God without relying on their own efforts.

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3. Jesus' Redemption and Grace

• Jesus Christ fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17) and provides redemption through His sacrificial death and resurrection. This redemption is a gift of grace, not something earned by human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Grace is often understood as unmerited favor—God's forgiveness and acceptance of sinners despite their inability to meet His standards.
• However, as you rightly pointed out, grace is not just about forgiveness; it is also about empowerment. Through grace, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who enables them to live a new life in Christ (Romans 8:11, Galatians 5:16-18).

4. The New Life in Christ: Higher Standards

• The new life in Christ is not a rejection of God's standards but a fulfillment of them at a deeper level. Jesus Himself taught that His followers are called to a higher standard of righteousness (Matthew 5:20-48).
• For example:
• The law says, "Do not murder," but Jesus calls us to reconcile with others and avoid anger (Matthew 5:21-22).
• The law says, "Do not commit adultery," but Jesus calls us to purity of heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
• This higher standard is not achieved through human effort but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms believers from within (2 Corinthians 3:18).

5. Grace as Empowerment

• Grace empowers believers to live out their new identity in Christ. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
  
• This empowerment includes:
• Freedom from sin's power (Romans 6:14).
• Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Obedience motivated by love (John 14:15).
• Grace does not give believers a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2) but equips them to live in a way that honors God.

Summary

• The law reveals God's standards and humanity's inability to meet them.
• Jesus' redemption provides grace, which includes both forgiveness and empowerment to live a new life.
• This new life in Christ fulfills and surpasses the law, as believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit to live according to God's higher standards.

Practical Application

• Embrace Grace: Recognize that your salvation and transformation are gifts of grace, not results of your own efforts.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit: Depend on the Spirit's power to live out the new life in Christ.
• Pursue Holiness: Strive to live according to God's standards, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for His grace.
• Study Scripture: Deepen your understanding of the law, grace, and the new life in Christ through regular Bible study and prayer.

Your perspective reflects a mature and biblically grounded understanding of the gospel. It highlights the beauty of God's plan: while the law reveals our need, grace provides the solution and the power to live as God intended.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

• Thank You for Your grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.
• I acknowledge my inability to meet Your standards on my own, and I am grateful for the redemption and new life You have given me.
• Empower me by Your Spirit to live out this new life, walking in love, obedience, and holiness.
• Help me to reflect Your character and fulfill Your purposes in all I do.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 

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I added the Zacchaeus story and went through DeepSeek again.

DeepSeek AI:

Your reflection beautifully captures the balance between law and grace and highlights the transformative power of God's love. Let’s delve deeper into this understanding and explore how it applies to our lives and faith:

The Role of the Law

• The law serves as a mirror, revealing God's standards and exposing our sinfulness (Romans 3:20, James 1:23-25). It shows us what is right and wrong, but it cannot empower us to live righteously.
• Without the law, people would lack a clear understanding of God's holiness and their need for redemption. As Romans 7:7 says, "I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law."

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The Limitation of the Law

• The law, while holy and good (Romans 7:12), cannot change hearts. It can only point out sin and condemn it (Romans 8:3).
• Preaching adherence to the law without grace often leads to legalism, where people focus on external behavior rather than internal transformation. This can result in pride, hypocrisy, or despair, as no one can perfectly keep the law (Galatians 3:10-11).

The Power of Grace

• Grace, through Jesus Christ, does what the law cannot: it transforms hearts. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
• Grace is not just about forgiveness; it is also about empowerment. The Holy Spirit enables believers to live out the new life in Christ, which surpasses the standards of the law (Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:22-23).

The Example of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

• Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a sinner by the standards of the law. Yet, his encounter with Jesus was not marked by condemnation or a list of rules to follow. Instead, Jesus extended love and grace to him by choosing to dine at his house.
• Zacchaeus' response was immediate and heartfelt: he repented and made restitution for his wrongs. This transformation was not driven by fear of the law but by the love and acceptance he experienced from Jesus.
• This story illustrates that love and grace have the power to change hearts in a way that the law alone cannot.

The Danger of Legalism

• When pastors or leaders focus solely on preaching adherence to the law, they risk creating a culture of fear, guilt, and shame. People may either become self-righteous or feel hopeless, knowing they cannot measure up.
• Legalism often leads to defensiveness and excuses, as people try to justify their behavior or hide their failures. This is the opposite of the freedom and transformation that grace brings (Galatians 5:1).

The Balance: Law and Grace

• The law is necessary to reveal sin and point us to our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). However, it is grace that saves, transforms, and empowers us to live a life that pleases God.
• As believers, we are called to uphold the standards of God's Word, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us (John 14:15, Romans 12:1).
• Preaching should emphasize both God's holiness (revealed through the law) and His love (revealed through grace). This balanced approach leads to true repentance and transformation.

Practical Application

1. Preach Grace-Centered Messages: Teach that salvation and transformation come through grace, not human effort.
2. Emphasize Relationship Over Rules: Encourage believers to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus, allowing His love to transform them from within.
3. Model Grace: Show love and acceptance to others, even as you uphold biblical standards. Let your life reflect the grace you have received.
4. Teach the Purpose of the Law: Help believers understand that the law reveals sin and points to our need for Christ, but it is grace that empowers us to live righteously.

A Closing Thought

The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that love and grace are the most powerful tools for transformation. When people encounter the unconditional love of Jesus, they are moved to repentance and change in ways that the law alone could never achieve. As we share the gospel, let us remember to extend the same grace that has been given to us, trusting in the Holy Spirit to bring about lasting change in the hearts of others.