Expert: Dr Eddy Cheong - 11/27/2010

Question
Hi Dr. Eddy Cheong

There is this prominent subject or topic in the Church which is, Grace and the Law. I want to understand it better. For example in Galatians 2:16 says:
16"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

I don't really comprehend what is the "works of the law" and what does it really mean to be "justified" by the Faith of Jesus Christ? What "law" was he speaking about? The ten commandments? or all precepts and commandments of the Old Testament?

What is this whole deal about the Law and Grace that so many preachers are preaching about? (In which led to disputes and controversies between the Church of Christ) In Romans 6:14 it says "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Again I appreciate your time and help through the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you through Jesus Christ. Amen.

(I really enjoy your website:www.eddyssite.com, it's really helpful and I like your articles. I so far read about two articles, "True and False Repentance" and "IS FALLING IN LOVE A SCRIPTURAL PHENOMENON?" They have been a blessing  to me and I sure don't doubt that the other articles will also be a blessing too. May God Bless you through Jesus Christ and that He may Inspire you in the Spirit to write more articles. Amen.)  

Answer
The dispensation of Law was from Moses till the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the resurrection of Christ we enter the dispensation of Grace..
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9,10

The above two verses summarise the principle of Grace quite clearly i.e. Salvation is now not based on observing and keeping of the commandments of the Law of Moses (of which no one has been totally faithful to except our Lord Jesus when He was on earth).
Salvation is only through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (repenting of our sins and believing in His atoning blood on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead). We believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth this profession of faith. This in short is Christian salvation.