In the last two articles (Part1
& Part 2)
I have discussed the roll of grace in the gospel, and specifically, the way
that grace is the catalyst for transformation. This entire blog is dedicated to
explaining a paradigm shift that I believe will be beneficial for any believer
searching for a more consistent view that will help make Christian doctrine
seem more congruent and less schizophrenic; A view, where 1John 4:8 & 16 can make sense
without any possible contradiction. One can be confident that God is love
without convoluting the definition of love to include torture and various other
damnations.
So then, if grace is the catalyst for
transformation what roll should law play? To answer this question in the
simplest manner I would suggest that it should be used for direction. Not as a
legal requirement but as a guide. One of my favorite verses is found in the
epistle to the Galatians. “Gal 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for
whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
(8) For the one who sows to his
own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the
Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” I can hear you pausing now and
saying *damn Joe* you have written one hundred and forty posts about
unconditional grace and this is one of your favorite verses? ;) Yes, it is one
of my favorite verses because it explains very succinctly the law of karma…
what goes around comes around.
The problem with the cautionary scriptures resides
in the view that the Law of God has eternal consequences and punishment. I don’t
think that the scripture suggests that at all. I think our understanding of the
scripture and the grammatical historical hermeneutic of the Scribes and
Pharisees leads one to believe it but, I think that in using Jesus and his
followers heremeneutic, redemptive historical hermeneutic that one can come to
very different conclusions about the eternal consequences of the law.
If one is not being adjudicated righteous by
obedience to the law--- the law, can lose its damning qualities and begin to
have instructional, tutorial, guiding qualities. It can be used as an ideal to
reach toward instead of a taskmaster that must be met or suffer pain of dire
consequences. It can be a reflection of the heart of Father God explaining how
he would have us treat one another.
Galatians 6:7-8 is the description of the reality
of what will happen especially in this life. Humanity has instituted laws to
regulate behavior for the good of the society or group. Murder will be punished
by life in prison. These penalties are not eternal they are temporal and they
actually work well in deterring unwanted behavior. I know from experience that
bad choices, selfish choices will result in bad results. Yet, within God’s
grace I have found redemption of my worst failures. This is not just in eternal
terms… the redemption for me has been temporal. I am sure that it is that way
with many of you.
Eternal consequences are mitigated by grace. There
is much more to say on this but I think that it will be better addressed in
subsequent posts. What if we treated the law as a guide and not as a yardstick
to be met? How would that change things? How would that allow grace to
transform us? Especially if the entire ecclesia was on the same page. I can
dream can’t I?
Just as the murderer has to pay for what he has done by being incarcerated, so we must be chastised by our Parent (God) when we do wrong. Just as any good parent, they punish their children to allow them to see that what they are doing is not right and we as His children are to learn and grow from that punishment, and not hold it against our Father for loving us enough to care.
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