Dr. Law and Dr. Grace
“(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)” Hebrews 12.20, 21
“(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)” Hebrews 12.20, 21
I have never found a more poignant place in the Bible where a parenthetical statement more clearly introduces a “but” statement. The “But” of Hebrews 12.22 translates the Greek word, ἀλλά, meaning: “on the contrary” or “contrariwise.” In other words, what precedes is distinct from what follows.
What precedes the parenthesis is a matter of strict legal definition so named in a sermon I heard while attending seminary. It was Dr. Lester Roloff who preached the message comparing and contrasting Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Some messages preached are so powerful that we never can walk away from its truth – this message was one of those. Nearly fifty years later, I still remember the depth of the teaching and the simplicity in understanding it.
Living under the authority of Dr. Law, believers found themselves standing in fear of the fiery God upon the mountain. On Mount Sinai, God awaited His servant Moses as Moses prepared himself and his people for God’s message. So personally separated from the people below was God that should a person or random animal touch even the edge of the mountain they would die. So “terrible” (φοβερός – “phoberos – fearsome”) was the sight that Moses, having been invited into the presence of God on top of the mountain said: “I am frightened away and trembling.” The author of Hebrews recorded a similar perception: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10.31)
Living within the authority of Dr. Law, we all would tremble and shrink away as we realize the depth of our sinfulness and the scope of God’s holiness. We all are examples of this legal distancing. How quick we are to flee from God’s presence when we have transgressed one of His laws when we should be rushing to His side because of this “but.”
While Dr. Law demands perfection – and terrible punishment and loss for disobedience in the smallest of infractions – Dr. Grace offers a remedy for our lost and helpless condition. James echoes Dr. Law’s position: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2.10)
But – the New Testament follower of Jesus Christ does not live under the wrath and awfulness of such a God who dwells on Mt. Sinai. Those who find their mediation in the Person of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2.5) find themselves overshadowed by Mt. Zion – the mountain of Grace. (Titus 2.11) Today, those who are overshadowed by Mt. Zion experience the blessed fellowship and personal relationship with God the Father through the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ. We are allowed to approach God boldly (“with confidence,” or “freedom of speech”).
(Hebrews 4.16)
Christianity (being a follower of Jesus Christ) is a relationship which offers free access to God.
What precedes the parenthesis is a matter of strict legal definition so named in a sermon I heard while attending seminary. It was Dr. Lester Roloff who preached the message comparing and contrasting Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Some messages preached are so powerful that we never can walk away from its truth – this message was one of those. Nearly fifty years later, I still remember the depth of the teaching and the simplicity in understanding it.
Living under the authority of Dr. Law, believers found themselves standing in fear of the fiery God upon the mountain. On Mount Sinai, God awaited His servant Moses as Moses prepared himself and his people for God’s message. So personally separated from the people below was God that should a person or random animal touch even the edge of the mountain they would die. So “terrible” (φοβερός – “phoberos – fearsome”) was the sight that Moses, having been invited into the presence of God on top of the mountain said: “I am frightened away and trembling.” The author of Hebrews recorded a similar perception: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10.31)
Living within the authority of Dr. Law, we all would tremble and shrink away as we realize the depth of our sinfulness and the scope of God’s holiness. We all are examples of this legal distancing. How quick we are to flee from God’s presence when we have transgressed one of His laws when we should be rushing to His side because of this “but.”
While Dr. Law demands perfection – and terrible punishment and loss for disobedience in the smallest of infractions – Dr. Grace offers a remedy for our lost and helpless condition. James echoes Dr. Law’s position: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2.10)
But – the New Testament follower of Jesus Christ does not live under the wrath and awfulness of such a God who dwells on Mt. Sinai. Those who find their mediation in the Person of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2.5) find themselves overshadowed by Mt. Zion – the mountain of Grace. (Titus 2.11) Today, those who are overshadowed by Mt. Zion experience the blessed fellowship and personal relationship with God the Father through the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ. We are allowed to approach God boldly (“with confidence,” or “freedom of speech”).
(Hebrews 4.16)
Christianity (being a follower of Jesus Christ) is a relationship which offers free access to God.
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