The Law and the Gospel

Teacher, I often hear that Scripture appears to be separated into Law and Gospel. Please highlight the simplified difference between the Law and the Gospel.

Scripture is comprised of both Law and Gospel.

“For the law is given through Moses; grace and truth come through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17).

The Law

The “Law” in Scripture is defined as “Moral Law.” Stated simply, it refers to a divine “Doctrine of Works.” It is divine because it comes to us from God. It is a Doctrine of Works because the promise of the reward of eternal life may be seen as coming to those who perfectly obey its commands. “Old Adam” in Genesis significantly failed to follow the law in his act of disobedience to the Lord, “Eating the Forbidden Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.” Scripture points out that no ordinary man is able to obey the Law.

Since no man can obey the Law perfectly, what is its purpose?

Scriptural Law presents us with three purposes: a curb, a mirror, and a rule.

As a curb, the Law maintains discipline. As a mirror, the Law teaches us about sin. As a rule, the Law teaches us that we must act according to God’s plan.

In Scripture, Paul informs us that he knows what he should do, yet Paul continues to do what he should not. (Rom 7:21-24).

The Gospel

The “Gospel” in Scripture identifies the “Doctrine of Salvation.” We know and believe that we “die to our sin” in Baptism and receive “new life” in the Gifts of Grace and Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no decision for us to make, nor good works for us to accomplish, in order to be saved. We are saved through our belief in Jesus Christ.

We see that the Gospel freely brings us grace and salvation. This is contrasted with the Law which brings us rules to follow.

There may be so much to discern … Gospel to believers … “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

The Small Catechism teaches us to end the day with Evening Prayer:

In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.

Our Father, Who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

There are three Universal or Ecumenical Creeds; the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

The Apostle’s Creed is the creed that many of us may be most familiar with … .

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.  Amen.

The Small Catechism teaches us to begin the day with Morning Prayer.

In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the Holy Cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my
doings and life may please Thee.  For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.  Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me.  Amen.

Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.

I am asked, “Teacher, how must we pray?” Today we will visit a general definition of prayer and the general manner in which we prepare to approach prayer. Soon we will visit and explore prayer in more depth.

Prayer is heartfelt communication with The Lord. Believers engage in dialogue with The Lord. Believers engage prayer freely and in their own words.

Scripture offers us guidance and justification through the Bible for prayer.

Prayer requires a humble heart.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer requires that you engage this special interaction with your whole heart.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Prayer requires faith.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Prayer requires good intention and freedom from sinfulness.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Prayer requires obedience to the will of The Lord.

And we will receive whatever we request because we obey Him and do the things that please him. John 3:22

The Lord hears us when we pray.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

Prayer must be consistent with God’s divine will.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. John 5:14

The Lord favors our prayer together with other believers.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

The Lord hears us when we pray alone.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Mark 1:35

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

Church Planting is defined as the practice of establishing a core of Christian worshipers in a parish, with the intention that they should develop into a thriving congregation.