The Truth the Law Couldn't Give

The Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus. This Scripture is neither new in the Bible nor unfamiliar to most believers, yet even today, many churches, prayer centres, and religious institutions remain filled with people who lack the revelation of what it truly means. 

For far too long, people have believed they are doing God or themselves a favor by trying to keep the Law in their own strength. But Jesus has already fulfilled the Law once and for all. His work on the cross is complete, yet many in the church still try to “improve” or “succeed” His finished work through their own righteous efforts, thinking this pleases God. 

The truth is, God is already pleased with the perfect work of His Son. And it is no surprise that traditional churches are left wondering why people are leaving, because man-made religion can never satisfy the hunger that only God’s grace can fill.

It is said, "Where the grass grows, the sheep will graze." If the true Word of God is preached, God’s sheep will come and feed. But if all they hear is law without grace, command without gospel, they will either starve spiritually or seek pasture elsewhere.

Jesus Did Not Abolish the Law—He Fulfilled It

Jesus Himself declared that He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. The Law was given through a servant, Moses. Grace and Truth came through the Son, Jesus Christ. The problem is that many misunderstand the “truth” mentioned here. They assume it refers to the truth about sin and man’s depravity. But the Law, given long before Jesus, had already revealed man’s sinfulness (Romans 3:20).

The “truth” of John 1:17 is not the truth about how bad we are, it is the truth about the nature of God: His mercy, His grace, His love. It is the truth that God is not angry at mankind but has provided reconciliation through Jesus. This is the truth that sets people free (John 8:32) free from condemnation, free from the deception of the enemy, free to know God as Father.

Yet in many pulpits today, especially in Nagaland, the truth of God is twisted. Instead of freeing people, messages often heap on more bondage. Believers are repeatedly pointed back to the Law, the Ten Commandments as though Jesus’ work was incomplete. But the Law, though holy and good, cannot make anyone holy. Its purpose is to reveal sin and point us to a Savior. Any preaching about the Law that does not lead to Christ is unscriptural.

Two Encounters: Law and Grace in Action

The Holy Spirit placed Luke chapters 18 and 19 side by side for a reason. The Gospels give us vivid examples of the difference between Law and Grace. And I believe the Holy Spirit Chooses these Chapter. In Luke 18, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus asking, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Notice his focus: What must I do? Jesus responds by pointing him to the commandments do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, honor your father and mother. The man proudly declares he has kept all these since childhood.

But Jesus, knowing the Law’s true standard, lovingly exposes his heart: “You still lack one thing. Sell all you have and give to the poor, then follow Me.” At this, the man walks away sad revealing that his wealth, not God, was his true master. His boasting about keeping the Law crumbled at the very first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

In the very next chapter, Luke 19, we meet Zacchaeus a tax collector despised as a sinner. Zacchaeus knew he was guilty. Yet when Jesus called him down from the sycamore tree and invited Himself to his house, something remarkable happened. Without any command, Zacchaeus stood and said, “Lord, here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times the amount.”

You see? No Law, No condemnation, No Demands, purely Grace and Zacheus opened up.

Jesus responded, “Today salvation has come to this house.” Notice the difference: The rich young ruler, given the Law, kept his possessions. Zacchaeus, shown grace, freely gave.

The point is clear: The Law demands but gives no power to obey. Grace accepts and transforms, producing obedience from the heart.

The Finished Work of Christ

When Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished!” He fulfilled the Law’s demands once and for all. The work of salvation was completed. Our role is not to add to it through our works, but to receive it by faith. Grace makes this faith possible.

Friend, you cannot save yourself. The more you try to meet God’s standard in your own strength, the more you will fail. But the moment you cry out, “Lord, I cannot help myself, I need You!”that is when the breakthrough comes.

Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no other way. The way to the Father is Jesus alone (John 14:6).

Trust Him today not in your works, not in your religious duties, not in your emotions, but in the finished work of Christ.