The Law Serves Its Purpose Well

July 3, 2009 The Law Serves Its Purpose Well Law and grace are both aspects of God's nature that he uses in dealing with us. Moses emphasized God's law and justice, while Jesus Christ came to highlight God's mercy, love, and forgiveness. Moses could only be the giver of the law, while Christ came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Rather than coming through cold stone tablets, God's revelation ("truth") now comes through a person's life. As we get to know Christ better, our understanding of God will increase. Although the law has some God-designed inability, it is nevertheless good. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit ( Romans 8:3-4). The law serves its purpose, "if one uses it lawfully." One unlawful application of the law would be using it to obtain justification, a declaration of being righteous in God's sight. If anyone ever infers that attempted obedience to the law of God could potentially secure an overall verdict of "not guilty," that would be biblically forbidden. Another unlawful application of God's law would be using it to obtain sanctification, progressive spiritual growth in the Lord. If a person imagines that they could grow in godliness by their best attempts at living up to the law, that too would be prohibited by God's word. As far as God is concerned, all who trust in Christ are "not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). Yet, only those who walk according to the Spirit fully enjoy the daily blessings of that reality. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." When followers of the Lord Jesus walk according to the flesh, they practically place themselves under a performance code. They put themselves under the law for practical day-by-day living. Dear God of all Grace, I confess that I formerly lived in lawless rebellion against You. Your Holy Spirit has convicted me of my self-righteous defiance against Your holy law. Having therefore been justified by your grace through faith in Your Son, I earnestly ask Your forgiveness whenever I attempt to live by the self-righteous resources of my own flesh. Sanctify me daily by Your grace, even as You have justified me by Your grace. Thank You that Your peace is abundantly available through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.