The Gospel and the Law – by Desmond Ford
- Atonement
- Bible
- Christian Evidences
- Christian Living
- Christianity
- Dr Desmond Ford
- Eternal Life
- Faith
- Forgiveness
- Freedom
- Glory
- Gospel
- Grace
- Holy Spirit
- Jesus
- Judgment
- Justification
- Kingdom of God
- Love
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- Righteousness
- Salvation
Jun 6, 2016 4168
The law tells us what we should do, but the Gospel tells what God has done. The law says, “This do and you shall live.” The gospel proclaims, “Live, and you shall do.” Says the law, “Pay me what you owe,” but the Gospel announces, “I freely forgive you all.”
From the law we are told, “The wages of sin is death.” The Gospel word is better – “The gift of God is eternal life.” Law affirms, “The soul that sins, it shall die.” The gospel responds, “But whosoever believes, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
From the law comes the decree, “Cursed is every one that does not continue in all the things written in the law, to do them, all the time, with all that he is and has.” The gospel sings, “Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” The law demands, “Make you a new heart.” The gospel promises, “A new heart will I give you.”
The law insists, “You must love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength.” The gospel whispers, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and gave his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
The law tells us what we should do, but the Gospel tells what God has done.
The law brings condemnation and death, whereas the gospel conveys justification and life. The law requires holiness, but the gospel provides holiness. When the law was given, three thousand quickly died from their rebellion. When the gospel was proclaimed in the Spirit at Pentecost, three thousand penitents lived!
The law has nothing to say about forgiveness or grace. It offers no power. Law never runs anything. It is perfect only for perfect people.
Though the New Testament is never against law as a standard, it is against law as a method. From the law comes only demands and commands. The gospel offers forgiveness, righteousness, power, and love.
– Des Ford. Rom 8:27-32. Adapted from “Performance, Perfection, and Promise”
Richard Barcelona
Nov 26, 2017
I am curious to know if Dr. Ford believes that the Sabbath is important for born again Christians or it doesn't matter ?
Ray Silvernail
Jul 18, 2016
There is so very much to say about this issue of law vs Law, death vs Eternal Life and disobedience vs obedience/being One, Levi vs Melchizedek, hell vs Heaven and temple vs Temple. God has spoken ever so clearly of this and yet so very few will even care to seek and find. What do we know about OT vs NT, old covenant vs New Covenant and sacrifice vs Sacrifice? Will we look to see what is the difference between tithe and giving ALL and worshiping a Mediator of One instead of many, or will we buy into the doctrine of interpretation and ignore what God actually says?! ___________________________________________________________________ I do not know what you believe, but thank you for this little post: The Gospel and the law.
Eliezer Gonzalez
Nov 27, 2017
Dr Ford believes that the Sabbath is important for born again Christians. However he does not believe that it is an issue on which anyone's salvation depends.