2. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

3. John 1:14 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

4. John 1:15-16 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

5. John 1:17 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. God’s prescription for how to relate to him and one another. Moral Law Ceremonial Law

6. Ways to View the Law 1. Legalist – I keep the law to gain God’s acceptance. 2. Irreligious – I ignore the Law because I am not looking for “acceptance.” 3. Antinomian – I ignore the law because God is loving. 4. Christian – I let the law prepare my heart for the gospel.

7. Romans 3:19-20 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

8. The Law Prepares the Heart The Law reveals God’s Character. The Law reveals my sin. The Law reveals that my sin requires payment. The Law reveals a merciful law giver. o Exodus 20:1-2 Covenant initiating. o Exodus 33:18-34:6 Gracious & Merciful

9. John 1:17-18 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

10. Romans 3:21-23 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

11. Romans 3:24-26 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.