The Discourse on Unleash Mag is a quest for Biblical truth on matters Christian faith and living, through intellectual discussions solely inspired by Scripture.
Our effort is aimed at building the believer’s faith through a thorough understanding of the Scripture. We do not seek to aimlessly disparage any doctrines or beliefs, but to merely test them against the full measure of Scripture.
On our second episode, we discuss the question of law and grace. The panel for this episode consists of:
- J Karis
- Lael Mukeni
- Caleb Mutiso
Prologue
By J Karis
Our modern Bibles are divided into the old and new testaments. I know this division is something that men came up with and is in no way inspired by the Holy Spirit. But the truth of an old and new covenant is a valid and central truth that is found in scripture. Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:6, talks of a ‘new covenant’ implying there is an old covenant. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 8:7 talks of a ‘first’ and a ‘second’ and the subject matter is on covenants.
Theologians have called the first covenant, ‘law’ and the second, ‘grace’ to which I agree, and John 1:17 supports this. The big questions today are, what were the terms of the old covenant, what are the terms of the new covenant? Are believers trying to mix the two covenants? What does it really mean to be under grace and not under law?
Arguments
J Karis: the old covenant could not save us
The realities of the two major covenants are as crystal clear as can be in the Bible and there can never be any debate about it. We don’t even have to look at the two divisions in the Biblle i.e., the new testament and the old testament. Some might argue that it is man who put this division. The Bible itself talks of two distinct covenants.
2 Corinthians 3:6 – In using the word “new” it is implied that there is an “old” covenant
2 Corinthians 3:6 KJV
[6] who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Hebrews 8:7 – The writer talks of a first and second. This shows that there are two major covenants in the Bible.
Hebrews 8:7 KJV
[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
It is well understood by most believers that there are two major covenants in the Bible and that the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought into effect the second covenant and an abolition of the first covenant [Hebrews 8:13]
Hebrews 8:13 KJV
[13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
There are other covenants in the Bible, these include, God’s covenant with Abraham, God’s covenant with Noah, just to mention a few.
What is a covenant?
A covenant is a formal binding agreement between two parties. Unlike a contract that has a set of terms and conditions, a covenant is an agreement involving two parties that has no exit clause, it is a life agreement.
The two covenants we are dealing with are covenants between God and His people on how His people enter into right relationship with Him.
Terms of the old covenant
We will have to go all the way to Mount Sinai and look at chapters 19 to 24 of Exodus. We find God giving the ten commandments, other laws and judgements on how they would relate with God and amongst themselves
In Exodus 24:3, the people said they would keep all the words which God had said and that they would be obedient to Gods law. They repeat the same words in 24:7
In Exodus 24:8 they enter into a covenant with God:
Exodus 24:3, 7, 8 KJV
[3] And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
[7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
[8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Note that in a covenant both parties must enter into the covenant willingly. One can listen to the terms of a covenant and refuse the terms and refuse to enter the covenant. The Israelites had a choice to refuse to enter into that covenant but instead they chose to enter into the covenant.
Israel would be a special treasure to God [Exodus 19:5] if they kept the terms of the covenant i.e., if they obeyed all the laws that God had laid down.
Exodus 19:5 KJV
[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
God’s part was to bless the Israelites if they keep the law and bring curse on them if they break the law
We could basically put the old covenant as follows, “Do good get good and if you do evil you get evil”
Since God is a merciful God, He also instituted sacrifices that would be used to atone for the sins of the people. But these were just foreshadowing what Christ would do for our sins on the cross. [Hebrews 10:1 and 4]
Hebrews 10:1, 4 KJV
[1] For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Problems of the old covenant
Hebrews 8:7-8 clearly shows us that there was a fault with the first covenant, which from now on we will refer to as the law.
Hebrews 8:7-8 KJV
[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
[8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Before we delve deeper into the faults of the law, we first must establish that the law is holy and just and good. [Romans 7:12]
Romans 7:12 KJV
[12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Also note in Hebrews 8:8 it does not say that God found fault with the law, but it says He found fault with “them.” The problem was not the law, the problem was the people [all of us are included]
The same people who in Exodus 24:7 said that they would keep Gods law were now finding themselves on the wrong side of the law and having to face the negative consequences for breaking the law.
You need to understand that the law stands as one composite whole i.e., if you stumble in one point of the law you are guilty of breaking the whole law. [James 2:10] You either keep the whole law or you face the negative consequences of breaking the law and therein lies the problem, MAN CANNOT KEEP THE LAW OF GOD.
James 2:10 KJV
[10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
God did not give the law [this includes the ten commandments] for us to keep or as a system in which God would use to justify man, NO. God knew that man would not be able to keep the law
Why then did God give the law?
Romans 3:19-20 KJV
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Galatians 3:19 KJV
[19] Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
The law was given to show us how far we fall short of Gods perfect standards. It was given to show that the whole world is guilty before God and shut every mouth that would try to think that they keep God’s standards perfectly.
It was given to remove all the self-righteousness that is in us.
Man said that he would keep and obey all that God requires of him, really?
At the foot of Mount Sinai, the first law that they broke when they made and worshipped a golden calf, was the first commandment,” You shall have no other gods before Me”
Before the law was given, people would compare themselves with others, there was no yard stick for God’s standards. People compared themselves amongst themselves.
Compared to others you might not be the ‘biggest’ sinner since you haven’t committed sins such as adultery and murder, but you forget your ‘small’ sins such as cheating are also sins and are worthy death and hell. The wages of sin is death, ‘big’ and ‘small’ sins. You miss heaven by an inch, you miss it by a mile, who wants to be the best sinner who went to hell?
The law was given to show you, that you are not a good person as you claim to be or think. All of us fall short of Gods perfect standards
The law was supposed to make you despair; it is supposed to make you cry out for a savior. It should drive you to a point of saying, “If this is what God requires of me so that I enter into the right relationship with Him, then I am finished. Who will save me?”
The law is supposed to bring us to the end of ourselves in trying to earn or merit God’s blessings.
When we reach that point, then we run to Christ for our justification
The new covenant
Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[32] not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
[33] but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Jeremiah prophesies of the days in which God will make a new covenant with the Israelites and in Hebrews 8:8-12 the same words are repeated. A closer look at the eighth chapter of Hebrews and you will see that the prophecy in Jeremiah 31 is now a reality that Jesus brought in by His death, burial and resurrection.
Hebrews 8:8-12 KJV
[8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
[9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; Because they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
[10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And write them in their hearts: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:
[11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For all shall know me, From the least to the greatest.
[12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
The terms of the covenant are stated and are as follows
- God will put His laws in our minds and write them on our hearts
- He will be our God and we shall be His people
- We will not need anyone to teach us about the Lord, but the Lord will teach us directly
Before we even take a close look at the terms of the covenant, we need to see the clause that makes the new covenant come into effect. Jeremiah 31:34- “… for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.” This is the clause that the new covenant hinges on.
Jeremiah 31:34 KJV
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Whereas the old covenant told man that “you shall” “you shall” the new covenant involves God saying “I will” ”I will”
The new covenant involves God telling His people what He would do for them unlike the old covenant which involved God telling man what he needed to do.
Why the sudden change and how is God able to forgive our sins and remember them no more?
How can a holy God not remember our sins anymore?
The answer is found at the cross. At Calvary over 2000 years ago the lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ carried all our sins and took all the punishment of all our sins, past, present and future.
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Isaiah 53:6 KJV
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He who knew no sin and did no sin was made sin with our sins and a divine exchange took place Jesus took our sins and we take His righteousness. God treated Jesus as the worst sinner who will ever live and now God treats and blesses us as if we have never sinned or will never sin. This is the foundation of the new covenant.
God cut a covenant with us. You might say, “I don’t remember entering a covenant with God.” You are right. In our case, Jesus took the place of man and cut the covenant with God. Ours [we who have put our trust in Jesus] is to enjoy the blessings and benefits of the obedience of Christ to the covenant which He cut with God.
The issue of sin as a barrier between God and mankind was forever settled at the cross. Under the law, sin was an issue between God and man, but under the new covenant, Jesus took away the sin of the world.
John 1:29 KJV
[29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Under the new covenant God is able to bless us and move in our lives not because we are good and we have kept all His commandments, NO. God blesses us because we have put our trust in what Christ did for us and we have the righteousness of Christ imputed on us
The new covenant is called the covenant of grace. Notice in John 1:17 the comparison is between law and grace.
John 1:17 KJV
[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Practical applications on how believers should live under the new covenant
When we approach God asking Him to bless us because of some good deeds we have done, we are living under the Old Testament mindset. Under the new covenant blessings are solely based on what Christ did for us at Calvary. The true New Testament posture is to approach God’s throne and ask/claim your blessings because of what Christ did for you.
When we think God is withholding blessings from us because of sin, this is Old Testament way. Under the Old Covenant God would withhold His blessings because of sin and send curses to the people. But under the New Covenant this is not the case, God will not refuse to bless you because of sin, the issue of sin was dealt with once and for all at the cross.
If a believer is not experiencing the blessings of the new covenant, it is not because of some certain unconfessed sin(s) in their lives, it is because of wrong believing.
I know I have not dealt with many issues decisively and shown you from the Scriptures, maybe I will write another article and elaborate on some issues.
As I finish, I want to be as crystal clear as I can on the issue of sin. Sin is dangerous and evil. When you go to a hospital and a funeral always remember that was not part of Gods original plan for mankind. Sin brought all the evil we see in the world: poverty, sickness, children born disabilities, wars, famines e.t.c
Sin is bad and when you sin you are asking for trouble in your life. Sin comes with its negative consequences. God does not want you to sin, because He loves you and does not want to see you suffer the negative consequences.
Sin does not change God’s heart toward you, sin hardens your heart towards the things of God.
When you sin, you are opening a door for the devil in your life to come and wreck your life and so you need to stop sinning.
Purpose to live a life knowing that God is on your side and moving mightily on your behalf because of what Christ Jesus did at the cross for you.
Lael Mukeni: Old Covenant and New Covenant; Law and Grace
Differences between the covenants
1. Mediators
The old and new covenants had different Mediators; Moses (a mere man) for the old and Christ (God) for the new covenant. Moses used continual animal blood to pay for sins, but Christ made a once-for-all sacrifice with His own blood (The Mediators blood) Christ therefore deserves far more glory than Moses (Hebrews 3:3, 8:6-7)
Hebrews 3:3 KJV
[3] For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Hebrews 8:6-7 KJV
[6] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
2. Washing of sin
The old covenant involved external washing and the new covenant involves internal washing. Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages us to draw near to God in His Holy Place through Christ, with hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and bodies washed by pure water. More so, we are washed and changed not only to enter into God’s presence, but also to be indwelled by His presence.
Hebrews 10:19-22 KJV
[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
[20] by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
[21] and having an high priest over the house of God;
[22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Access to God
In the old covenant, God came to the mountain to meet the people, but in the new covenant, God comes to and in us. This is a stark difference in how far and how much we can access God. 1 Corinthians tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, meaning that He is dwelling inside of us.
From the above, we see that we haven’t made ourselves righteous to approach God, but Christ has made us ready and righteous by what He has done, so we can be approach God and be reunited to Him.
Are Christians under the law?
It is said that Christians, who live under the new covenant, follow some Old Testament laws but they leave others. Is this what God expects of them?
To know what God requires of them, we have to read the Bible in terms of its story line, particularly its covenantal developments. There are several covenants, but generally speaking, there is the Old Testament representing the old covenant God had with Israel, and the new covenant God made with both Jews and Gentiles (Colossians 3:11) through the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:15-28).
Colossians 3:11 KJV
[11] where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Matthew 26:28 KJV
[28] for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Hebrews 9:16-28 KJV
[16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
[17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
[18] Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
[19] For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
[20] saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
[21] Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
[22] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
[23] It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
[24] For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
[25] nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
[26] for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
[28] so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The old covenant had requirements which set Israel apart from the nations. Hebrews 8:13 tells us that the new covenant made the old covenant obsolete alongside its requirements.
Hebrews 8:13 KJV
[13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
The question still persists: why then do we keep some Old Testament laws? It is because some of those laws are repeated in the new covenant, such as do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not lie, etc. In the new covenant, we are under the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 – we are not under the law of Moses but under the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 KJV
[2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 KJV
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
A follow up question would be: And what is the law of Christ? Galatians 5:14 and Matthew 22:37-40 both tell us:
Galatians 5:14 KJV
[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Love one another means we honour our parents, we don’t commit adultery but remain faithful to our spouses, we don’t murder, etc.
Therefore, some Old Testament laws are reflected in the new covenant, because they are depicted as part of the law of Christ. What Christians should aim for is to be like Jesus and to love God and their neighbours, thus fulfilling the law of Christ in the new covenant.
References: Dr. Thomas Schreiner, Mr. Voddie Baucham
Caleb Mutiso: Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—period. This truth summarizes the entire Bible, including the Old Testament.
God is not bound by time
Many people find this hard to believe because poor teaching has led them to think something fundamentally changed only when Christ died on the cross. But this has always been God’s way.
We are bound by time—what I write today you may read tomorrow—but God exists outside time. He is simultaneously in the beginning, present, and end. He exists in eternity past and eternity future.
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Everyone who has ever been saved—past, present, or future—receives this gift through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Old Testament believers like Moses and Abraham looked forward in faith, even without full understanding.
New Testament believers look back in faith, with the fuller revelation of Christ’s completed work.
Genesis 15:6 KJV
[6] And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Hebrews 9:15 KJV
[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Law and Grace
When the Bible speaks of the Law, it refers to what God gave Moses (Exodus 20 onward):
Terms: No idols, honoring parents, no murder, no adultery, and so on.
Purpose:
- Reveal God’s righteousness
- Show humanity its sinfulness
- Reveal our need for salvation
- Set God’s people apart from other nations
While perfect, the Law could not change the human heart. Humanity’s free will is enslaved to sin. However much we might want to please God, it is impossible apart from His grace.
““The Law condemns; Christ saves.””
Grace Defined
Grace is unmerited favor—a gift we could never earn.
Terms: Believe in the complete work of Christ forever. This includes His perfect obedience to the Law and His sacrificial death.
God has always been full of grace (Psalm 116:5; Joel 2:13), and people have always been saved by faith (Genesis 15:6). The God who gave the Law also gave His Son (John 3:16).
Psalm 116:5 KJV
[5] Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful.
Joel 2:13 KJV
[13] and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Genesis 15:6 KJV
[6] And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
John 3:16 KJV
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The sacrificial system in the Law pointed forward to Christ, the final sacrifice (Galatians 4:4; Luke 22:20).
Galatians 4:4 KJV
[4] but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Luke 22:20 KJV
[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Now, everyone who comes to God through Christ is declared righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:15).
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 3:18 KJV
[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Hebrews 9:15 KJV
[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Why Do Believers Mix Law and Grace?
It’s often due to a lack of understanding. Many pastors and teachers fail to explain this clearly, and believers are not diligent in studying Scripture.
Even the Pharisees—experts in the Law—missed this truth, falling into self-righteousness by thinking they could earn God’s approval through works.
This is a trap I myself sometimes fall into. But God is pleased only by faith in His Son. The only thing we contribute to salvation is our sin, which Christ takes away.
““The only thing we bring to salvation is our sin.””
The Final Word
No one has ever been saved by works of the Law. The Law condemns; Christ saves.
His death was the final and only sacrifice that fulfilled God’s Law. Anyone—today or in history—who believes in Him is no longer under the Law but under grace.
To receive salvation:
- Know Christ and His perfect work.
- Accept that you are a sinner.
- Ask God for forgiveness.
- Place your full trust in Christ alone.
If you are in Christ, you have eternal life. You are not condemned. You are fully accepted. Hallelujah!
But if you have not yet received this gift—receive it today. Tomorrow is not promised.
““Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone.””