the difference between the law and gospel
The law =DO, the Gospel =DONE.
The Gospel is not what would Jesus do and now go and do that. The Gospel is what has Jesus DONE – now believe that.
The GOSPEL = Relationship
The LAW = Obedience
This simple pattern of RELATIONSHIP first before OBEDIENCE is also a key trend in the Bible.
We do not have a relationship with Him because we obey, we obey because He has made a relationship with us.
For example lets look at Exodus 20 vs 1-3
Versus 1-2 show us what God has done (relationship) for us:
And God spoke all these words, saying:“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Verse 3 shows us what He requires us to do (law) in response:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
God didn’t say you should obey me, and then I will let you out and free you. He says, I have redeemed you, and here is a safe path for you to walk in.
This order is not just in the Old Testament, but the same pattern is followed in the New Testament epistles as well.
In general, the first half of the Epistles of Paul / John / Peter / Romans / 1 Peter says “Here is how God has saved you” “ what God has done for us.” The last half of the Epistles say “Here is what you should do in response.”
Done Romans Chapter 1-11 —- Do Chapter 12-16
Done Ephesians Chapter 1-3 — Do Chapter 4-6
Done 1 Peter Chapter —- Do 1 Chapter 2-5
Done Galatians Chapter 1-4 —- Do Chapter 5-6
Done Colossians Chapter 1-2 —- Do Chapter 3-4
The Moral Law of God can be understood through an interesting analogy.
Using the metaphor of a train, the moral law represents the railroad, and the Gospel is the fuel that powers the train’s engine. To tell a Christian / non-believer, “Here is your track, follow it.” makes no sense because ultimately they (like a train) need fuel (the gospel) to get moving.
This is also true of many Christians today who are like trains without fuel or an engine, and therefore are often stagnant in their Christian walk.
The law alone cannot save; it must be accompanied by the saving message of Christ crucified. The purpose of the law is to bring us to a knowledge of sins.
It can be used as a barrier to restrain sin and control our behavior. The law acts as a tutor, leading us to Christ, who is the answer to our need for salvation and righteousness. By exposing our sin and showing us God’s perfect standard, the law reveals our inability to achieve that standard on our own.
Christ fulfills the law’s demands through His life, death, and resurrection, offering forgiveness and righteousness to all who believe, thus meeting the very need the law highlights.
Galatians 3:24 (NKJV)
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:21 (NKJV)
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.