17 For Moses gave us only the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice, while Jesus Christ brought us loving forgiveness as well.

John 1:17 (TLB)

The Law is a type of self-effort and works. The Law contained rigid demands and merciless justice. I want to make comparisons between the Law or works and grace. The reason for doing this is so that you can identify and beware of works-based Christianity.

The Law was connected to Moses and grace is connected to Jesus Christ.

The Law blesses the good but grace saves the bad. That’s why sometimes it is very difficult for a religious person to get born again, because the person is deep in self-effort and good works.
The Law demands that blessings be earned but grace is a free gift.

The Law requires righteousness from you, but grace gives righteousness to you, and not just any righteousness, but the righteousness of God Himself.
The Law shows you your inadequacies, your lack, and your failures, but grace shows you your riches, your blessings, and your strengths in Christ.

By the Law, you can’t approach the throne of grace in your time of need. Works-based Christianity teaches you that you can’t readily go to the throne of God, but grace tells you to come boldly to the throne of grace in your time of need in order that you may obtain all that you need (Hebrews 4:16).

In the Law, sin was covered for only a period of one year by the sacrifice made by the high priest, but grace is for eternity. Jesus, our High Priest, went into the most Holy Place once and for all with His blood. He ascended to the Father and He carried His precious, priceless blood into the most Holy Place in heaven and He deposited it once and for all.

Confession:
Thank You Father that I don’t need to depend on self-effort and works, but on Your grace. Thank You for Your riches, blessings and strengths that are mine in Christ on account of Your grace.