BY ADAM . . . BY MOSES . . . BY CHRIST. - Pastor J. C. O’Hair
From Adam To Moses
(Romans 5:12 to 14)
FROM MOSES AND SINAI TO CHRIST AND CALVARY. (Galatians 3:19)
In John 1:17 we read, that the LAW was given by Moses; but GRACE and truth came by Jesus Christ. In Romans 8:1 to 4 we learn that Christ, by GRACE, did for sinners what Moses and the LAW could not do. We have often heard the statement, “what the LAW (the Ten Commandments) demanded (righteousness) GRACE provides.” “By Jesus Christ all who believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the LAW of Moses.” (Acts 13:39).
In Romans 5:12 we read, “by one man (Adam) SIN entered into the world.” “In Romans 5:20 we learn that the LAW entered, that the SIN (that entered by Adam) might abound. GRACE came by Jesus Christ. So in the fifth chapter of Romans we read of “SIN,” “LAW” and “GRACE.” SIN, by Adam; LAW, by Moses; GRACE, by JESUS CHRIST. By Moses is the LAW; and by the LAW is the knowledge of SIN. (Romans 3:20). The LAW was added because of transgression, that SIN might be exceeding sinful, and that all the world might become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19 . . . 7:13 and Galatians 3:19). Let us read how “SIN,” “LAW” and “GRACE” are mentioned in Romans 5:19 to 21:
“For as by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous. Moreover the LAW entered that the OFFENCE (SIN) might abound. But where SIN abounded GRACE did MUCH MORE (over)abound: That as SIN hath reigned unto DEATH, even so might GRACE reign through righteousness unto eternal life by jesus Christ our Lord.”
No human being has ever heard more startling and important news than is published in these three verses of Scripture. GRACE provides for the vilest and guiltiest sinner a sure remedy for SIN and teaches the sinner that salvation from the penalty of sin, the eternal, righteous wrath of God, is NOT BY WHAT MAN DOES FOR GOD, or can do, but BY WHAT GOD, IN GRACE, DOES FOR MAN. This GRACE reigns through and by Jesus Christ. The most respectable, religious, moral, cultured child of Adam needs this same GRACE; for there is no difference, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). This glory of God has been revealed in God’s perfect LAW, the TEN COMMANDMENTS, and God’s perfect SON, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. SIN is the transgression of the LAW. (I John 3:4). Then note the SIN of not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 16:7 to 10). “Whosoever committeth SIN transgresseth also the LAW; for SIN is the transgression of the LAW.” (I John 3:4).
In my judgment the truth of the fifth chapter of Romans is one of the very first messages to be given to the DEAD SINNER and also the very first Bible truth to be taught to the LIVING SAINT, as a babe in Christ. (I Peter 2:1). Let us never fail to get this simple, but allimportant, truth from the Bible; that the men and women of this world are divided into just two groups, “DEAD SINNERS” and “LIVING SAINTS.” The Bible does tell us that LIVING SAINTS are divided into carnal saints and spiritual saints. (I Corinthians 2:15 to 3:5). In this same (I Corinthians 6:9 to 12) we learn, as we do in Ephesians 2:1 to 10 and Titus 3:4 to 8, how God, the Father, Son and Holy; Spirit, makes LIVING SAINTS out of DEAD SINNERS, without man’s works, religious ceremonies, or church activities. God expects the worship, praise, devotion and faithful services of LIVING SAINTS, but He will have none of this from DEAD SINNERS; for they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8). Until condemned sinners receive from God through Jesus Christ, eternal life, “by grace” “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), God will neither reward nor recognize anything that man offers Him. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the NAME of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God, the Father, by Him.” (Colossians 3:17). (I Corinthians 3:14 and 15). “He that believeth on the Son is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18).
WHEN DID THE LAW ENTER?
As we read Galatians 3:19, “the law was added because of transgression,” and Romans 5:20, “the law entered,” let us also read Jeremiah 31:31 to 35 and learn that the law was added, the law entered, at the time that God took Israel by the hand to lead Israel out of the land of Egypt. At that time Moses was 80 years old. (Exodus 7:7). The LAW was given by Moses; but that LAW was written on tables of stone by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18). God entered into the LAW contract with Israel at Sinai. The Divine Record is found in the nineteenth and twentieth chapters of Exodus. At that time Israel had been in Egypt for more than 200 years. Israel went down to Egypt about 1700 B.C. and came up out of Egypt about 1500 B. C.. SIN entered, by Adam, in the Garden of Eden. The LAW entered by Moses about 2500 years after SIN entered by Adam. More than 1500 years after the LAW of Moses entered, that the SIN that entered by Adam might abound, GRACE came by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was made under the LAW to redeem them that were under the LAW. (Galatians 4:4). Thus we learn that, By Adam is the ENTRANCE of SIN; By Moses is the KNOWLEDGE OF SIN (Romans 3:20); and By Jesus Christ is the FORGIVENESS of SIN. (Acts 13:38).
A very important truth for every person to learn is the fact that when God tells us, in Galatians 3:19, the LAW was added to the covenant of promise till the SEED of Abraham (Christ) came, He wants us to understand that the (OLD) COVENANT was added to the ABRAHAMIC COVENANT (THE GOSPEL WHICH GOD PREACHED TO ABRAM) till Christ was made a curse on the tree. (Galatians 3:8—Galatians 3:13 to 17). Therefore, the OLD COVENANT was both temporary and parenthetical, and according to II Corinthians 3:9 to 16, it has been abolished or made useless. It has vanished away. (Hebrews 8:13). But the Abrahamic Covenant has not been done away, and the LAW of SIN and DEATH, that entered by Adam, is still in full force and effect. Christ was made a curse on the tree to deliver Israel from the curse of the LAW. (Galatians 3:13). Up to that time the LAW was Israel’s SCHOOLMASTER (tyrannical childtrainer) to bring Israel to Christ for justification by faith. (Galatians 3:24 and 25). We conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the LAW; and if righteousness come by the LAW, Christ died for naught. (Romans 3:28 and Galatians 2:21).
RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH—WITHOUT THE LAW.
How wonderful it would be, if every person in this world would permit the Holy Spirit to teach him the truth of Romans 9:30 to 32! Hear this allimportant truth from almighty God:
“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the LAW of righteousness, hath not attained to the LAW of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.”
More than ninety per cent of the members of our human race stumble at this stumblingstone. Because most of these members are incurably religious, because the human heart of unbelief is desperately wicked and deceitful, and because the infinite, marvelous, matchless, superabounding grace of the God of all grace is too much for the wisdom or imagination of the human mind and heart, it is almost impossible to teach the children of Adam, religious and otherwise, that RIGHTEOUSNESS is not a human attainment, but a Divine gift. Christ on the cross was made sin for us, that we might be made the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM. (II Corinthians 5:21). “With the heart man believeth unto RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Romans 10:9 to 11). “Christ is our RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (I Corinthians 1:29 to 32). “To him that WORKETH NOT, but BELIEVETH on HIM that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Romans 4:5). Hear it! Receive it at full face value! Believe it with all your heart! Claim it with all your soul! God demands RIGHTEOUSNESS for entrance into the glories of heaven. The natural man is destitute and devoid of any righteousness except that which is called in God’s Book, “filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) The righteous deeds of the natural, unregenerated man displease God. (Ezekiel 33:13 . . . Romans 4:4 . . . Acts 8:20 and 21 . . . Romans 8:7 and I Corinthians 2:14).
When we read, in Romans 10:4, that Christ is the end of the LAW FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS to everyone that believeth, and in Romans 8:2, that the LAW of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus makes the believer free from the LAW OF SIN AND DEATH, let us get it clearly fixed in our minds and hearts—and this will have to be by faith in God’s Word—that Our RIGHTEOUSNESS is not by a LAW that we keep, but by the LAW which Christ established in His perfect LIFE, His perfect SACRIFICE and His victory over death, after He had perfectly kept God’s perfect LAW. The LAW of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus, and the GRACE of the God of all GRACE, enable and teach the LIVING SAINTS how to behave as becometh saints and to fulfill the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW, by walking in the Spirit. (Romans 8:4 . . . II Corinthians 9:8 . . . Titus 2:11 to 14). DEAD SINNERS do not become LIVING SAINTS by behaving; but by believing. “By GRACE were ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; not of works, lest any man should boast; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 to 10). DEAD SINNERS are saved without works. LIVING SAINTS will be rewarded for good works.
Most assuredly, if the justified Israelites were no longer under the SCHOOLMASTER after they received the crucified and resurrected Christ, the justified Gentiles, who were justified freely by God’s grace, through the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24 to 26), were not under the LAW. (Romans 6:14). (Galatians 3:25). By His death on the cross Christ abolished the LAW of COMMANDMENTS that stood between Israel and the Gentiles. (Ephesians 2:15). Concerning this LAW, we read in II Corinthians 3:7 to 18, it was “done away,” “abolished,” “done away in Christ.” “THAT WHICH IS ABOLISHED.” (verse 13). So the LAW of Moses, which was God’s holy, just, perfect, spiritual, good LAW, came in and passed away. God had to get it out of the way before He could deal with Adam’s children in full.
THE REIGN AND GOSPEL OF GRACE
There was much grace manifested by God before the reign of LAW and during the reign of LAW, in any and all former dispensations, but we should understand and appreciate the difference between GRACE IN A DISPENSATION and “THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD” committed to the apostle Paul by special revelation. (Ephesians 3:1 to 3).
Yes, there was GRACE “FROM ADAM TO MOSES,” “WHEN THERE IS NO LAW.” (Romans 5:12 to 14). Certainly Abel, Noah and Abram found GRACE in the sight of God. There surely was much GRACE in Israel’s bloodsprinkled MERCY SEAT. (Exodus 25:22 . . . Leviticus 16:15). Surely Jesus of Nazareth, under the LAW, manifested GRACE in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, to the adulterous women He met, to the thief an the cross, and to many, many sinners; but at that time He told His own disciples to respect the seat of Moses and go not to the Gentile dogs. (Matthew 23:1 to 3 . . . Mark 7:24 to 30 . . . Matthew 10:5 to 8). Thus we cannot find the DISPENSATION and FULL REIGN OF GRACE until after God’s KINGDOM NATION (ISRAEL) was set aside. (Romans 11:30).
By the LAW of Sinai all Israelites were condemned. (II Corinthians 3:9 and Acts 15:10 . . . Romans 4:15). That ministration of condemnation passed away. But another LAW, by which all the children of Adam are condemned, never passed away. (Romans 5:17 to 19). By that LAW OF SIN AND DEATH, which is universal and in full force and effect, judgment unto condemnation and death, spiritual, physical and eternal, has passed upon all men. DEATH reigned from Adam to Moses, before the LAW was given by Moses. (Romans 5:12 to 14). It reigned for 1500 years from Sinai to Calvary; and it is still reigning. However, there is a sense in which the SIN question became the SON question when Christ died on the cross. (John 8:24 . . . John 3:7 to 19. . . . John 3:36 . . . John 16:7 to 11).
Thus we have two “DEATH” LAWS . . . The LAW of SIN AND DEATH, that entered by Adam, and the MINISTRATION OF DEATH, the LAW that entered by Moses. (Romans 8:2 . . . Romans 7:10 . . . II Corinthians 3:7). But while in the midst of LIFE there is DEATH, by the GRACE of God, reigning through RIGHTEOUSNESS unto ETERNAL LIFE through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, in the midst of DEATH there is LIFE, through this Divine LAW of the Spirit of LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS, which frees the believing sinner from the LAW of SIN AND DEATH: something the TEN COMMANDMENTS could not do. (Romans 8:2 to 4). Yes, the LAW of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus sets the believing sinner free from the LAW of SIN and DEATH and causes the Holy Spirit to indwell that believer, and, if the Holy Spirit is permitted to control, that believer will fulfill the righteousness of the LAW. (Romans 8:2 to 4). The LAW of Moses could not deliver the believer from the LAW of SIN and DEATH; but could only cause him to cry, “O wretched man that I am . . . who shall deliver me from the body of this DEATH?” (Romans 7:24).
FOOLISH CHRISTIANS
Why did the apostle Paul call the Christians in Galatia, “Foolish Galatians?” (Galatians 3:1 to 3). Because those foolish Galatians thought they had to add the LAW of Moses to the LAW of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus to be delivered from the LAW of SIN and DEATH.
Sinners, in Ephesians 2:1 to 6, are said to be DEAD in trespasses and SINS, by nature the children of wrath. In Ephesians 4:18, they are said to be alienated from the LIFE of God. Therefore, nothing that nature can do for man can take him out of DEATH. How foolish to believe that a DEAD man struggling with the TEN COMMANDMENTS, which God calls the MINISTRATION OF DEATH, can thereby find LIFE. The free gift of God is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23); for GRACE reigns through righteousness unto eternal LIFE by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21). GOD is not a merchant offering eternal life and righteousness for sale. Who could pay the price demanded? Only Christ, His only begotten Son could—Christ did pay the price. Now God can be both just and the justifier of any and all who receive His grace and His Son. (Romans 3:24 to 26). The Lord Jesus was both the holy ark of the covenant and the bloodsprinkled mercyseat. He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (I John 2:2). Because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ believing Jews and believing Gentiles receive God’s mercy. But one of the most important truths of the Bible has been overlooked by more than ninetynine per cent of Christians and this is the truth we shall present in our Lesson Number Two—We simply mention it here—Hear it! Receive it! Believe it—In no other way can you understand and appreciate the truth of Ephesians 3:1 to 3 concerning “THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD” for Gentiles and thus rightly divide the Word of Truth, in obedience to II Timothy 2:15.
“For as ye (Gentiles) in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their (Israel’s) unbelief.” (Romans 11:30).
Tell yourself what this means. It is certainly a simple statement—But so important. In the GRACE message, which Christ revealed to and through the apostle Paul, there were two reasons why the Gentiles received mercy from God, first because of the redemptive work of Christ and second, because of Israel’s unbelief. Hold on to this as we go to our next lesson.
Tags: Bible Studies, Dispensational, Grace for You, J. C. O'Hair, O'Hair, Salvation, Truth-For-Today
