Recap: What Part I Established
In Part I, we examined Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5–7:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
We saw that Yeshua was not canceling the Law but intensifying it—revealing its spiritual intent and calling His disciples to live in righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees. We learned that the Law remains intact “until heaven and earth pass away,” and that grace does not erase the commandments but empowers us to live them in Spirit and truth.
Now, in Part II, we turn to the other side of that coin: What, then, is grace?
Grace Did Not Begin in the New Testament
Many believe grace began with Yeshua’s death and resurrection, but grace has existed since the beginning.
In Hebrew, the word for grace is חֵן (chen), meaning favor or kindness; in Greek, it is χάρις (charis), meaning gift, favor, or divine enablement.
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Grace appears about 38 times in the Old Testament.
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Grace appears about 156 times in the New Testament.
From Genesis to Revelation, both Law and Grace run hand in hand—never contradicting each other. Grace didn’t begin in Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, and the Law didn’t end in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. They coexist across every page of Scripture.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” – Genesis 6:8
“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.” – Psalm 145:8
“Of His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” – John 1:16
Grace is as old as God Himself. It is His nature expressed toward humanity—first as mercy, then as empowerment.
Grace Redefined After the Cross
Yes, additional grace was given to us through the death and resurrection of Yeshua. Before, the Law served as our guardian (Galatians 3:24–25). Now, under the New Covenant, we are mature sons and judges within the household of God.
Our position to the Law changed—not the Law itself.
The Law did not vanish; rather, our relationship to it was elevated. We are no longer merely subjects being disciplined by the Law; we are now entrusted with the responsibility to uphold it as sovereign judges under Yeshua, the Righteous King.
But even judges must live according to the Law.
Grace gives us the ability to live by the Spirit without constant dependence on teachers and preachers to tell us what is right or wrong. We can—and must—seek guidance from spiritual leaders, but each believer is ultimately responsible to study, interpret, and live out the commandments for themselves, from Genesis to Revelation.
Grace Is the Power to Remain in God’s Family Despite Imperfection
Grace is not permission to sin—it is the covering that keeps us in covenant when we fall short.
The Blood of Yeshua fills the gaps we cannot fill ourselves.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
No one will exit this side of life sinless. That is why we depend on grace daily.
The curse of the Law is not the Law itself—it is the penalty for disobedience.
Through Yeshua, we are not freed from the Law but from the curse that the Law pronounces on willful rebellion.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.” – Galatians 3:13
Grace does not erase the commandments—it covers our inability to perform them perfectly.
Examples: Where Grace Fills the Gap
1. The Law of Circumcision
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Genesis 17:10–14 commands circumcision as an everlasting covenant.
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Yet many believers today are not circumcised physically. Grace provides spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).
2. The Law of Marriage and Divorce
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Deuteronomy 24:1–4 and Matthew 19:6 forbid divorce except in narrow cases.
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Yet many believers experience divorce through brokenness or ignorance. Grace restores, forgives, and brings healing.
3. The Law Against Lust and Anger
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Exodus 20:14 commands: “You shall not commit adultery.”
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Matthew 5:22, 28 expands this to include anger and lust in the heart.
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Who among us has never faltered inwardly? Grace convicts and cleanses us.
Grace in the Appointed Times (Moedim)
Another beautiful example of grace is seen in how we worship during the appointed times.
God commanded His people to observe His feasts (Leviticus 23), including Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Yet today, even among sincere believers, there are small differences:
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Some are off by 2–5 days in their calendars.
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Some dwell in tents, others in campers or lodges.
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Some celebrate from sundown, others from morning.
Still, God looks at the heart. Grace is what allows us to draw near in imperfect obedience—seeking to honor Him, not to perform flawlessly.
“The LORD looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Grace covers the sincere effort of those who desire to obey, even when their understanding is incomplete.
Grace in Conviction and Correction
Grace not only forgives—it teaches.
It is grace that awakens conviction when we realize our error. It is grace that moves us to repentance. And it is grace that cancels the debt we could never repay.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.” – Titus 2:11–12
Grace is both teacher and rescuer—the voice that says, “You are wrong,” and the hand that lifts us when we repent.
Grace and Food Laws
Even in what we eat, grace abounds.
While the Torah defines clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11), Yeshua clarified that what defiles a person comes from the heart (Mark 7:15).
That doesn’t nullify dietary laws—it reveals their spiritual intent.
Orthodox believers maintain strict dietary separations, and that discipline is commendable. Yet grace understands that we live in a fallen world where contamination happens unknowingly.
If you accidentally consume what is “unclean” through ignorance or circumstance, God’s grace covers it.
Grace forgives error—but never excuses rebellion.
Conclusion: Grace and Law—From Genesis to Revelation
Law and Grace are not enemies. They are two expressions of the same covenant love.
The Law reveals God’s standard; Grace provides God’s strength.
The Law defines holiness; Grace empowers holiness.
The Law exposes sin; Grace redeems from sin.
They exist together—from Genesis to Revelation—because they both flow from the same eternal heart of God.
So then, what is grace?
Grace is the divine power and mercy that keeps us in covenant relationship with God as we strive to fulfill His Word with sincerity, even in imperfection.
It is the blood of Yeshua covering every sincere attempt to live righteously.
Grace does not remove the Law—it crowns it with compassion.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
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