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The True Gospel, Simply Put

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In my last few posts, I have written about different views of the Gospel. As I mentioned earlier, Christianity and the Gospel are closely tied together. In fact, I don’t believe Christianity would even exist without the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus was the foundation of the early church. It was such good news, in fact, that they could not keep it to themselves and shared it with everyone they could (Colossians 1:23). It didn’t hurt that Jesus commissioned them to proclaim this Gospel to the world (Mark 16:15).

This is why it is so important to know what this Good News is. If anything could be considered the Good News, Paul and the other Apostles would not have had a problem with the “different” gospels. But they did. Because in their understanding, there was only one Gospel. They weren’t confused about what it was—it was given to them from Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:11, 12). Yet, already in their day, distorted gospels were popping up among the believers.

A Sacred Balancing Act

We still suffer from different gospels because we often grab onto portions of the true Gospel and elevate them to an unnatural position. This results in removing or reducing key elements of the Good News Jesus gave us. As the main two distortions revealed, by elevating the importance of our works too high we reduce the power of the cross, and by making God’s grace impossible to resist we remove the power of our choice (and remove the severity of sin).

Yet, how could it be good news if I don’t have a choice? How is it good news if God’s payment on my behalf isn’t enough? Fortunately, the real Good News that Jesus gave to His disciples has a very balanced view of each of these. 

Photo by Rod Long

Works in the Shadow of the Cross?

To Jesus, and the disciples, part of the beauty of the Gospel was that Jesus sacrifice for our sins is more than enough. The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus “offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins,” and that “by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12, 14—emphasis mine). The price for our sins has been paid. Our works are not needed for salvation. The Bible is absolutely clear about this: we are not saved by our works, but by our faith in God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9). 

Our salvation is the result of this dependent relationship with God. In fact, Jesus said that eternal life is knowing (experiencing) God (John 17:3). Furthermore, the apostle John wrote we can know that we have a relationship with Jesus because we will obey Him (1 John 2:1–3). He goes so far as to say that if we claim to have a relationship with God but do not obey Him, we are liars (verse 4). Jesus made it abundantly clear: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Our works are the fruit of this saving relationship, not a payment for it.

A Grace that Respects Our Choice

Another part of the beauty—the irresistible nature—of God’s grace is not that it over-powers our choice, but that it offers us a choice even though we don’t deserve it. We must not forget the truth about this: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We don’t deserve any of this. God didn’t wait for us to get “good enough,” before He sent the solution. John 3:16, the famous Gospel verse, reminds us that God’s grace isn’t given to us because we deserve it—or even because we are lovable—but because He “so loved the world.” 

Yet our sin still remains. God’s grace doesn’t give sin a pass, but a solution! This solution isn’t forced though; it is still reliant on “anyone who believes.” The choice is still ours. In fact, before God offered grace, we had no choice! The earnings (wages) of sin is death. Before grace, death was our only option. However, now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, we can choose life! This is what makes His grace so irresistible. How could we resist the unmerited favor of a God who loves us so much He would offer salvation (through His Son) to humans who are not worthy of receiving it? What love!

It’s All About Jesus

The problem with every distortion of the Gospel is that it ultimately focuses on us—or, at least, it plays to our selfish desires. Whether we believe that we can earn our own salvation or that no matter what we do we will still be saved, it is all about us. But the true Gospel is all about Jesus. We are not saved because we became “good enough,” but because He paid for our sins at the cross. Jesus dying for our sins didn’t remove our choice, it frees us to make a choice. That’s our part in salvation: the choice. Do we trust in God and rely on Him for salvation? The ball is in our court.

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11–13, emphasis mine). It couldn’t be more clear: if you do not have Jesus you do not have life, but if you have Jesus—hold onto Him, trust Him, follow Him, rely on Him—you can know you have eternal life. That is the Gospel, simply put.

A Different Gospel: Insufficient Sacrifice?

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In my last post, I wrote about a popular distortion of the Gospel: Universalism. It embraces a hyper-grace—that God’s grace is so powerful, no one will be able to resist it, thus removing the possibility of refusing it. The other popular distortion is the complete opposite view of grace.

Photo by Noah Silliman

 This “gospel” is based on the idea that our perfect lifestyle must be added to Christ’s sacrifice in order to be saved. In other words, God’s grace is not enough. It is best known through the concept of “perfectionism.” The main argument for this alternate gospel is that, since no one who has sin will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is our responsibility to work to remove all sin from our lives before Jesus returns. Interestingly, most who subscribe to this belief do not reject the sacrifice of Jesus. It is generally agreed that Jesus paid the price for sins on the cross and provides us with salvation. However, they add, we have to work to “keep being saved.” 

Biblical Support?

Once again, there are a few texts that seem to verify this idea. In Matthew 5:48 Jesus said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” However, read in its context, it is clear Jesus is not calling us to personal perfection (see my post on this passage). 

Jesus also said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). While it almost sounds like Jesus is challenging us to “outdo” the pharisees, why would He call attention to the works of the Pharisees when He later calls them hypocrites (see Matthew 23)? In fact, when we examine all of Jesus’ teachings concerning salvation and the Pharisee’s works, we will find that He was actually telling us to quit trying to be like them—to stop trying to earn salvation.

Furthermore, Paul appears to support this idea when he wrote, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). However, if we continue reading, Paul adds, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (verse 13). How can it be about our efforts to “work out our own salvation,” if it is God who is working in us to do it? Actually, Paul consistently taught that salvation is not reliant on our works (see Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8, 9, and Titus 3:5).

The Error of this Distortion 

The danger of this “gospel” is that it gives the misperception that heaven will be inhabited by people who deserve to be there. While it accepts the sacrifice of Jesus, it removes the power of God’s mercy and grace. Claiming the need to perfect ourselves for salvation makes Jesus’ sacrifice grossly inefficient at best, and completely unnecessary at worst.

Once again, we have merely to go to the fall of mankind to see this teaching’s origins. When speaking with Eve, Satan not only deceived with the lie, “you will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), but he sowed another deception with the claim, “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). He claimed that through their works (eating the fruit) they would become like God. In fact, through this lie, our enemy created a new goal in the minds of mankind: becoming like God. Interestingly, Satan was simply tempting us with his goal (Isaiah 14:14).

Becoming Perfect

This deception causes many to chase after personal perfection. Yet, we must not forget that if we claim to be without sin (perfect) the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8–10). Besides, if it were possible to remove the sin from our lives through our own good works, then why would we need a Savior? A Savior is necessary because our works are worthless toward salvation—they only make us more in debt. Romans 6:23 says that the wages (what we earn) from sin is death. Isaiah 64:6 says that even our righteous works (works done in a relationship with God) are “filthy rags” (literally, bloody rags—which represent death).

In addition, even if we were to become “perfect” on our own, how would we know if we had reached it? Paul, the apostle, great missionary, and a contributor of the New Testament, didn’t even claim to have reached perfection but said that he was pressing on to the finish line (Philippians 3:4–14). Again, according to Paul, it was Christ doing the work in him and He would finish it by the time He returned (Philippians 1:6). Therefore, it isn’t our duty to do the work of cleaning ourselves up, we just have to keep holding on to the One working in us! 

Truth about our Works

Don’t be deceived, our works have nothing to do with our salvation. We will be saved because we trust in God’s mercy and grace, not our personally-obtained perfection (Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:9). Of course, this doesn’t mean our works are worthless. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). While our works cannot earn salvation, our obedience to Him expresses our love towards Him—it is our response to the wonderful gift of His grace.

Honestly, I am surprised that this concept is accepted by so many. I would have thought that “salvation is a free gift” would be more inviting. However, there are still many who feel the need to “do something.” In fact, many who adopt this belief often refer to the free gift of salvation as “cheap grace.” Our salvation is, by no means, cheap. Just because we don’t have to pay, doesn’t mean it didn’t cost anything. The price God paid was enormous—Jesus died on the cross for us. But that’s how much He loves us. It was a full payment too. And if our debt is paid, why would further payment be necessary? It’s not necessary. Praise God, He paid it all!

A Different Gospel: A Grace That Removes Choice

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In a previous post, I wrote about the danger of believing or holding onto a different gospel. While there may be many ways to distort the gospel, I believe that every distortion stems from two main ideas. The first of these ideas will be my focus in this post.

One of the main distortions of the gospel is based on the idea that God’s love and grace is so great that everyone, regardless of their relationship with Him, will be saved. It is probably best known through the concept of Universalism. The main argument of this “gospel” is that a good and loving God would never condemn people to eternal torment in hell. Therefore, it is concluded that, in the end, everyone will receive eternal life in Heaven. Some suggest that this reconciliation will only occur after a certain cleansing period in hell. Others say that people will have the opportunity to choose God after death (of course, this leaves the choice to the person who could still turn it down). 

Photo by Davide Ragusa

Biblical Support?

One could easily see how this would be attractive. I would imagine that most God-fearing Christians would love for everyone to be ultimately reconciled to God. Even early Christian leaders are quoted as embracing this concept, hoping for a great reconciliation of God with His creation.

It doesn’t hurt that there are also some texts that appear to support this view. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.” Even stronger is the passage in Lamentations 3:31–33 which states, “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” 1 Timothy 4:10 and Colossians 1:17–20 are also texts used in support. Nevertheless, while these passages (and a few others like them) may seem to imply a universal reconciliation, they neglect many other passages that talk about God’s judgment and justice.

Its Danger and True Source

The advocates of this concept claim that the idea of a punishment of sin only reveals the inability of God to save. Thus, in their eyes, if God is truly able to save everyone, He has to save everyone. Herein lies the danger of this “gospel.” While it embraces God’s amazing mercy and grace, it ignores His (also amazing) justice and holiness. In addition, with this view, God’s statements about the severity and ultimate consequence of sin can only be viewed as empty threats—not anything that will actually be carried out. Yet, if sin is not bad enough for actual consequences, why is God’s grace necessary? This attempt to force God’s grace on everyone (especially those who do not desire it), undermines the principle of His grace for everyone. With this idea, sin is trivialized and God’s grace is diluted.

Of course, this isn’t a new concept. We can see the beginning of this distortion back in the Garden of Eden. As the serpent successfully sowed seeds of doubt into Eve’s mind, he offered one of the greatest lies still believed by mankind: “you shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). Much like what this “gospel” suggests, Satan claimed that God was overly exaggerating the results of sin. Did God make too much of sin to Adam and Eve? Has He changed His minds since?

The Truth About Sin

No, God hasn’t changed His mind. His proclamation against sin remains constant throughout scriptures. Not once does God lessen the severity or result of sin. In fact, scripture is consistent that the consequence of sin is real. We are told in Ezekiel 18:19, 20 that the soul who sins will die. Not eventually be reconciled. Die. Because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Not just death on this earth either: “Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, they will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might” (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). Jesus reiterates this idea in the illustration of the wide and narrow gates (see Matthew 7:13, 14 and Luke 13:23, 24), mentioning two results in the end: life and destruction. He also said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). This is the Biblical truth: death is the result of sin.

The Truth About Choice

Since sin is a broken relationship with God, then those who choose to remain in a broken relationship will not receive eternal life. Of course, this is why this distortion is not the gospel: If you don’t love God, why would you want to spend eternity with Him anyway? The true Gospel does not diminish the problem of sin, but reveals how God’s grace allows us to be rescued from sin and be brought back into a personal relationship with Him.  

You see, this is why grace is necessary. Grace is undeserved favor. God is giving us something we do not deserve: another chance. But the final choice is on us. We have the freedom to say no. A powerful warning about this choice is found in Ezekiel 33:11–16. I encourage you to read it. It shows the truth about God’s grace and our relationship with Him. Yes, sin has separated us from God, but He is doing everything He can to woo us back to Him. The Good News is that grace gives us the opportunity to say yes.

The Struggle is Real

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For the last several weeks I have found it difficult to write in my blog. So much has been happening. With the excitement of publishing my new book, the busyness of the holidays, the craziness of the political scene, and the stresses of major financial burdens, life has been very… interesting. Add to all of this the emotional ups and downs of ministering to people and I have found myself drained—empty emotionally and spiritually.

I know I am not alone in this. Many struggle with this emptiness. Some of you may find yourselves empty as well. I think it happens most often when we give a lot of ourselves but do not take time to refill our own emotional and spiritual wells. There’s also the stressful moments that can catch us by surprise and throw off our otherwise normally balanced life. It could also be possible that we can become distracted by outside sources and forget to spend quality “me” time with God. In any case, it is not a pleasant experience and can discourage us on our Christian journey.

Strangely, in moments like these, when we need encouragement the most, we tend to hide from people. I wonder if this is because we seem to believe that it is wrong to admit, or rarely hear others admitting, any kind of emotional and spiritual struggles. It’s as if there is an unspoken teaching that struggles are a sign of weakness and weakness is a sin. Or maybe it’s simply a remnant of nature in us: survival of the fittest—don’t let anyone think you are weak—fake it, or die!

Why are we so afraid to admit we struggle? We can’t avoid it. Some may be too scared to admit it, others may be to proud, but every Christian struggles. The Bible says we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). Adding to our already handicapped nature is the fact that our adversary is constantly battling against us (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11). It’s not a passive attack either, Satan comes straight at us, full of anger, because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12). And if that wasn’t enough, you don’t have to be a Christian long to learn that his attacks increase the closer you get to God. As Paul said, “I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:21). With all of this against us, it’s amazing we could have any time of peace!

So we will struggle. Everyone who decides to follow Christ. I know, sounds like a pretty bad deal. Yet, Jesus didn’t shy away from telling us it would be this way. He said, quite bluntly, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). You will get bumps and bruises. You will find yourself empty and discouraged. You will mess up and fall. It will happen. Prepare for it.

BUT… (I love that Jesus wasn’t finished speaking.) “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Yes, we may struggle on our journey with Jesus, but as long as we rely on His strength, we will not be defeated. Because He is our Refuge and Strength (Psalms 46:1), our merciful Savior (1 John 1:9), and the source of Living Water (John 4:14).

This is God’s response to our struggles: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” To which Paul declared, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).

Why would we hide our struggles when we have a Savior so willing and able to help us succeed? The very idea of overcoming Laodicea is being honest with our struggles—owning them—so we will seek the help we need: Jesus.

So, yes, the struggle is real. I am running on empty. I struggle—regularly even. But I am willing to own my weaknesses, so God’s power can rest on me and give me victory!

The Gospel of Love

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It has been exactly one year since I started this blog. I can’t believe time has gone by so fast. I have gone through a lot during this last year (including a move—the reason for a lack of posts in the last couple of months). I have learned a lot and grown a lot as a result. I hope you have been blessed and challenged by my thoughts. I look forward to another great year of growing with you in Christ! 

I met my friend in Kindergarten. At that age practically everyone is your friend. However, he was my first best friend. There was something that just clicked between us. We shared everything. We got excited when the other got a good grade or won an award. We even looked forward to Christmas or birthdays when we would call each other to tell what we each had gotten for gifts. We were great friends. One day, to my surprise, he said that he wanted to come with me to my church. I was excited.

When I arrived to pick him up for church, I met his mother at the door. With a concerned look on her face, she said, “Please don’t hurt my son.” This took me by surprise. He was my best friend. I would never dream of hurting him! Besides, we were going to church—what bad could happen there?

When we arrived at church I needed to take the food to the kitchen for a potluck lunch. I told him to wait for me in the foyer and I’d be right back. When I returned, though, he wasn’t there. After looking for a few minutes and not finding him anywhere, I became worried. I finally asked the lady who stood by the entrance greeting people as they came in if she had seen my friend. “Yes” she said. “I sent him home.” What? Why? Her reason: “He knew better than to wear jeans to church, so I sent him home to change.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. She sent him home because he was wearing jeans? I went to church that day wondering how anyone could get hurt in church. But I found that the Bible actually prophesied that such things would happen near the end. This unfortunate prophecy is found in Matthew 24.

You may be familiar with this chapter. It is Jesus’ description of end-time events. Among these signs would be false prophets, wars, rumors of wars (4–6). Yet, these things should not alarm us—they are not the end, there is more to come. There would also be earthquakes, famines, diseases—these would all be the “beginning of birth pains” (7, 8). Like birth pains, they would start weaker and farther apart, and grow stronger and happening closer together. It is basically what we witness happening today, isn’t it?

In verse 9, though, the picture changes from global issues to people of God issues: persecution and being hated by the world. This also is not a surprise to us. Jesus warned us in John 15:18, 19 that the world will hate those who follow Him because it hated Him first. But there would be more.

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:10, 11). Sadly, many will give up believing in the truth of God’s Word and will betray and hate each other. In other words, so-called “Christians” will hate those really following Christ. This hatred results from not wanting to hear the truth of God’s word. As this refusal of Bible truths grows, so will the appearance of false prophets or teachers—and many will be deceived. These prophets will be targeting those who are Christians, not the world. Their lies will invade churches (and not just in the Dark Ages—fresh lies are rising around us today).

Notice the effect of the efforts of the false teachers: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The increase of wickedness is not just in the world; context says it is increasing in the church! This means love is growing cold among Christians. How tragic! Yet, regrettably, we also see this happening today. No longer are most “Christians” seen as loving. Instead, we are far too often seen as a hypocritical, judgmental, and hating people. The reason for this change goes back to the root issue: no longer loving the truth of God. Jesus said this would happen to many.

The love of many will grow cold, but not the love of everyone: “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This verse is talking about those who still love and do not increase in wickedness; those who are not led astray by false prophets and still love the truth and each other. It is not about standing firm in beliefs or doctrines, but about a people standing firm in their faith in God, His Word, and still living His love. It will be the character of those saved.

Now listen to this: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This gospel; a specific gospel. The gospel of John 3:16 says, “For God so loved…” The gospel is all about love and trusting in God. This is the gospel that needs to go to the whole world. This is the same gospel that did not condemn a woman caught in adultery. The same gospel that accepted a condemned thief with a last minute revelation. A gospel of love that eats with sinners and tax-collectors. A gospel of love that seeks to save. It is not a Gospel that would send someone home for wearing jeans.

Of course, even if they are really sinning (and wearing jeans is not a sin) how can they change unless they come to God. How can they come to God if they aren’t drawn by His love. How can they see His love if we don’t show it (1 Corinthians 11)? We are to show the love of God to others. We are called to stand firm when others fall away; we’re called to hold to the truth and continue to love when others grow cold.

Do not forget what Jesus said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). It will not be in some unique doctrines, or a purity of standard, it will be seen in how we treat each other. Yet, our love can only grow if we are connected to God, the source of love. May you and I stand firm in truth and love, even as others grow cold! May others experience the love of God through us!

New Covenant, Part 2: What Has NOT Changed

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Jesus made it very clear that there was a new covenant in His blood. It was also very clear, in Jeremiah 31:31–33, that God would make a new covenant with His people. So there is no question that, in Christ, we are now under a new covenant. In that promise of a new covenant, however, we saw that both the old and the new covenant had the same relationship-based language (what the covenant was about): God would be our God, and we would be His people. Since that is the same, I wondered what else might be the same, and what has changed?

It is easy to assume that since the covenant is new, then everything is different. However, since we have already learned that the language is still the same, we must also be open to the likelihood that there are other aspects of the old covenant that have not changed. Indeed, in my study on the covenants, I have found that not everything has changed.

For instance, in the very beginning—the first mention of the covenant made with Abraham—God established that one of Abraham’s (and his descendants’) requirements for the covenant was circumcision. Many today believe that this requirement is no longer relevant. Yet, notice what Colossians 2:11 says: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, but the circumcision of Christ.”

This says that there still is a requirement of circumcision—just not the kind we assume. Paul describes this “new” idea of circumcision more clearly in Romans 2:28, 29—“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the spirit, not by the letter” (emphasis mine). He is describing an inward circumcision of the heart. And, believe it or not, this is what God truly desired in the old covenant. Consider these passages:

  • “Circumcise therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deuteronomy 10:16).
  • “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).
  • “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts…” (Jeremiah 4:4).
  • “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh… all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.” (Jeremiah 9:25, 26).

God still desires that we are circumcised in the heart—removing the selfishness and pride in our lives—which means not being stubborn towards Him, but loving Him with all our heart and soul.

Of course, I found that in most discussions of the new covenant, one thing is consistently brought up as being done away with: the Ten Commandments. Typically, the argument is made that the law was nailed to the cross and we are no longer under the law, but under grace.

First, it is true that the Ten Commandments were part of the old covenant (Exodus 34:27–29 says they are “words of the covenant.” See also Deuteronomy 4:13). However, in the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–33) we find the first chink in the armor of that argument: it does not mention that the new covenant will do away with the law, replacing it with grace, but instead, God says, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (emphasis mine). According to this, the new covenant does not remove the law. If anything, the law will become more a part of us. Instead of being written on stones kept inside an ark that few people ever see, He desires to write it inside us. It will become something we want to do.

What about the text that says that the law was nailed to the cross? The text in question is Colossians 2:14. Interestingly, it does not say that the law was nailed to the cross, but that “the record of debt” that stood against us was nailed to the cross. The Greek word translated as “record” or “handwriting” is cheirographon, and literally means “a handwritten statement, especially a record of financial accounts.” According to the original language of the text, what was nailed to the cross was our debts, and its legal demands (death–Romans 6:23)—the things that really stand against us—not the law. Which makes sense. Christ’s sacrifice for our sins could only cancel our debt (paid for our sins) and not the law (which reveals our sins—see Romans 7:7).

But we are under grace now and not the law, right? This is based on the passage—“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). However, this text does not say that the law has been done away with, it only says that we are no longer under it. Plus, we cannot ignore the next verse: “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6:15). In fact, an honest reading of Paul’s writings would reveal that, although we are no longer saved by keeping the law, the law still stands: “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Romans 3:31. See also Galatians 3:17–19). Furthermore, Paul says that those who are not under the law are being “led by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18), which still implies obedience.

Besides, if Christ death on the cross got rid of the law, why would He say, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17—emphasis mine)? Or, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)? In Jesus’ own words, He did not abolish, or remove, the Law, but fulfilled it and asks us to continue keeping it.

John teachings also contradict this idea: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3, 4). He also says that when we love God we will keep His commandments and “his commandments are not burdensome.“ (1 John 5:2, 3).

Finally, if the law was gone and no longer part of the new covenant, then why are the end-time people of God described as those “who keep the commandments of God” (see Revelation 12:17 and 14:12)?

No, Jesus’ sacrifice did not remove the law. His sacrifice paid the debt that the law reveals in our lives. Therefore, the new covenant has not changed the law either—it still stands. Again, it makes sense. A covenant always includes the requirements for both parties. In both the old and new covenants, God’s part is being our God; He will protect us and is saving us. Likewise, our part is still loving Him with all our heart (circumcision of the heart) and following Him (obedience). The new covenant did not change this.