There are some teachings of tradition and legalism that says……
People cannot work on Sundays, yes you must rest but it is not a law! Even today, people in Israel, the Jews observe Sabbath! Do you know that on Sabbath, to lift a finger to press the button in the elevator is also considered as WORK!! Therefore, their elevators stop on every floor, if it is a 70 storey hotel, it takes almost an hour to reach the top!
Some have this attitude that after you have repented more thoroughly by trying to remember all the past sins and wrong doings and name them one by one, then God will forgive us and answer our prayers.
Some will spend days in agonizing prayer (until God says you are forgiven) or after you have been instructed in divine things or you have passed through years of sorrow and trouble then finally there is a hope of forgiveness from God!
Some preach law, rules and regulation that is in the Old Testament which is in the Dispensation of the Law. Am I saying that the law is not important? Absolutely Not!
Why was the law given by Moses?
To remind man who God is. It was given to show that God is a Holy, Just and Righteous God.
The law showed man his weakness in his inability to stand righteous before God and to push him towards grace and the Messiah Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10 :1-4 (NKJV) For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
The law and the sacrificial system was not perfect , it was only a shadow of the good things to come through Jesus Christ the ultimate sacrifice!
John 1:16-17 (NKJV) And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The repeated sacrifices were replaced with one perfect sacrifice.
There is always this struggle among many believers regarding the love of God, their acceptance by God and the knowledge of God. Many have a background whereby they need to earn their acceptance, they need to work on their healing and the work required to enter into the presence of God.
We are living in the dispensation of grace! God’s unmerited favour, in His rich mercies and grace. God extended His love towards us by sending Jesus to die for us while we are yet sinners.
Sermon Series: Law and Grace
律法与恩典
有些传统和律法的教导说……
人不能在主日工作，是的，你必须要休息，但这不是法律！即使在今天，以色列的犹太人仍旧守安息日！你是否知道在安息日举起手指按电梯中的按钮也会被认为是工作！因此，他们的电梯设定在每层都停，如果这是一幢70层的酒店，要花上一个小时才能到达顶层！
我们中有些持同样态度的人认为，当我们尝试回忆所有过去的恶行更彻底地一一认罪悔改之后，神必宽恕我们并回应我们的祷告。
有些人则会花很多天痛苦地祷告（直到神说你被赦免了），或者直到获得神圣的引导。或者你可能经历了数年的痛苦和祸患之后，才终于有希望得到神的饶恕！
有些人则宣讲旧约中的律法，教条和规章以求得律法的赦免。我是说律法不重要吗？绝对不！
为什么神通过摩西来制定律法？
是提醒人们神是谁。律法是为了显明神是圣洁，公义的神。律法向人显明他的软弱和不完全，无法靠自己的行为在公义的神面前站立得稳，唯有转向神的恩典和弥赛亚耶稣基督。
希伯来书10:1-4 律法既是将来美事的影儿，不是本物的真相，总不能籍着每年常献一样的祭物叫那近前来的人得以完全。若不然，献祭的事岂不早已止住了吗？因为礼拜的人，良心既被洁净，就不再觉得有罪了。但这些祭物是叫人每年想起罪了；因为公牛和山羊的血，断不能除罪。
律法和献祭的制度都是不完美的，只不过是通过耶稣基督的最终献祭来实现的美好事物的影儿！
约翰福音1:16-17 从他丰满的恩典里，我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩。律法本是籍着摩西传的；恩典和真理都是由耶稣基督来的。
不断重复的献祭被一次完美的献祭所替代。
很多信徒始终就神的爱，如何被神接受，以及有关神的认知而挣扎。很多人因为以往的背景以为他们需要努力赢得神的接受，他们需要自己努力获得疗愈，并且努力做工才得以进入神的同在。
我们活在恩典的赦免中！是神凭着祂丰富的怜悯和恩典赐下我们不配得的恩宠。神在我们还是罪人的时候就赐下耶稣为我们而死，从而将祂完全的爱赏赐给我们。
讲章系列：律法与恩典