Law and Grace

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The most obvious and striking division of the Word of Truth is that between Law and Grace. It is vital to observe that Scripture never mingles these two principles.

Law is God prohibiting and requiring; grace is God beseeching and bestowing. Law is a ministry of condemnation; grace, of forgiveness. Law curses; grace redeems from that curse. Law kills; grace makes alive. Law shuts every mouth before God; grace opens every mouth to praise Him. Law puts a great and guilty distance between man and God; grace makes guilty man nigh to God. Law says “do and live”; grace, “believe and live.” Law never had a missionary; grace is to be preached to every creature. Law utterly condemns the best man; grace freely justifies the worst. Law is a system of probation; grace, of favor. Law stones an adulteress; grace says, “neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Under law the sheep dies at the hand of the shepherd; under grace the Shepherd dies for the sheep.

—Condensed from Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth by C.I. Scofield

The law condemns the best. Grace is God’s unmerited favor to the worst, and in grace Christ is all-sufficient. We need nothing in addition to Him. —R.D.