Relationships of the Believer

LESSON TWO – LAW AND GRACE

Lesson Goal: The goal of this lesson is to understand the difference between law and grace.

Instructions: Read carefully the verses given below and answer the questions on the basis of the information from the verses.

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1. Read 1 Peter 3:18–For al-Masih died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to Allah. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…

a. For whom did Prophet Isa die?

b. Was Isa therefore a sinner himself?

c. For whose sins did Isa die?

d. Why did he make such an amazing sacrifice?

2. Read John 1:17– For the law was given through Musa; grace and truth came through Isa al-Masih.

a. Through whom was the law given?

b. Grace, however, came through whom?

c. According to your understanding, what did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) give – law or grace?

3. Read Romans 3:20–Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his (Allah’s) sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

a. Can a person ever become righteous through the law?

b. What then is the real purpose of the law?

4. Read Romans 5:12-21–Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned–for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Musa, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did Allah’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Isa al-Masih, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of Allah is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive Allah’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Isa al-Masih. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Isa al-Masih our Lord.

a. Before the law’s coming, what was not taken into account?

b. What was the result of the trespass of the one man, Adam (pbuh)?

c. Did Allah’s gift that overflowed to many come through the law or through grace?

d. Allah’s grace came through whom?

5. Read Ephesians 2:8-10–For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Allah–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Allah’s workmanship, created in al-Masih Isa to do good works, which Allah prepared in advance for us to do.

a. We have been saved by what?

b. Can salvation ever come through our own efforts and work? Why or why not?

c. Do you think a person who trusts in the law for salvation can ever be sure he is saved? Why or why not?

d. Do you think a person who trusts in Allah’s grace for salvation can ever be sure he is saved? Why or why not?

e. Think of your own condition. Are you sure that you are saved? Why or why not?

f. According to verse 10, why did Allah save us?

g. What should a believer’s attitude and relationship be towards good works?

h. What do those under the law believe comes first–salvation or good works? Explain.

i. Those under grace believe which comes first, salvation or good works? Explain.

6. Read Romans 8:14-17–14 because those who are led by the Spirit of Allah are sons of Allah. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are Allah’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of Allah and co-heirs with al-Masih, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

a. The person under the law experiences what kind of relationship with Allah – one of love or of commands and obedience?

b. Does the person under the law have the attitude of a slave or a son?

c. Those who are under the law are described as slaves to what?

d. What do those under the law fear? (For example, what happens if one does not say prayers properly or fast as the law commands?)

e. Those who are under grace have received the spirit of what?

f. Who has the right to stay permanently in a rich man’s home, his servant or his son?

7. Read Romans 6:1-7–What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into al-Masih Isa were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as al-Masih was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

a. Are those who are saved by grace free to sin as they like? Why or why not? (See especially verse 2)

b. According to verses 6 & 7, we used to be slaves to what?

c. Through our being united with al-Masih’s death and resurrection, what is our present relation to sin?

8. Write the number of the word in the right column into the blank space of the phrase to which it corresponds in the left column. The first has been done for you as an example. (A number may be used more than once)

4	a. The only way to obtain salvation.	1. Good works
	b. That which brings conviction of sin.	2. Isa al-Masih
	c. The one who brought the law.	3. The law
	d. The one who brought grace.	4. Grace
	e. The means by which those under the law hope to obtain salvation.	5. Musa
	f. That which those under grace are saved to do.	6. Bad works

 

9. Study the below chart carefully and read the verses referred to.

NOTE: The main purpose of the chart is to compare a son with a slave in order to clearly see the difference between the two. The characteristics of the slave are given in the middle column while the son’s characteristics are given in the right column. The left column contains the different areas under comparison.

For example, the first area of comparison is the “Foundation of the Relationship.” Thus, in the middle column we see that the foundation of the slave’s relationship to his master is that of “giving of commands and carrying out of commands.” In other words, the master commands and the slave obeys. By contrast, in the right hand column we find the son’s relationship to his father as being one founded on “Mutual Love,” not commands.

The area of comparison in the second line is the “Reason for Obedience.” In column two we see that the slave obeys out of fear – in order to avoid punishment. In column three we see that the ideal son obeys out of love in order to please his father. Read carefully through the other areas of comparison in lines 3-5 and then answer the questions given below the chart.

TOPIC	SLAVE	SON
1. Foundation of the Relationship	Giving of commands and carrying out of commands	Mutual love
2. Reason for Obedience	Fear – Punished if disobedient (Romans 8:15)	Love – Desire to please the father (Romans 8:16)
3. Obedience through whose wisdom & strength	Through the slave’s wisdom and strength – the master does not help	Through the father’s wisdom and strength (Philippians 2:13)
4. Type of punishment if disobedient	For his harm (1 Thess. 1:8)	For his good (Hebrews 12:5-11)
5. The final result or reward	The slave receives payment for work done (Romans 6:23)	The son lives forever in the father’s home (1 Peter 1:3,4)

a. How would you describe the ideal father-son relationship?

b. What is the slave’s motive for obeying his master?

c. What is the final reward of the slave?

d. How much similarity do you see between the person who is living under the law and the ‘slave’ in the chart?

e. How much similarity do you see between the person who is under grace and the ‘son’ in the chart?

10. According to your own understanding, what is written in Islam about the law and grace?

11. What are the positive things you have experienced in your own life as the result of being under grace and not under the law?

TO MEMORIZE – EPHESIANS 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Allah–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Allah’s workmanship, created in al-Masih Isa to do good works, which Allah prepared in advance for us to do.