We must discover the true relationship existing between the law of God and the gospel. There are those in the world today who believe and teach that by strictly keeping the law of god one may somehow, someday, assume the moral finery of a Saul of Tarsus and be saved. Paul himself gainsays such possibility when he says, “By deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” Romans 3:20. No one is going to work his way into heaven merely because he outwardly keeps the commandments of God.
Still, others contend that the claims of God’s law must forever be banished if one is to enjoy the full freedom of the gospel. “Away with the old yoke of bondage,” they shout, despite the fact that God says His “law is holy, …. and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12.)
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| Christ and The Law |
Such a course plunges us into the ditch on the other side of the road. It would be much the same for me to assert that I was going to become a good citizen of my city by doing away with all the laws and ordinances enacted to ensure the peace and prosperity of my community. Although a person can never hope to save himself through outward conformity to the commandments of God, the law does have its place in the gospel message, just as the law of my city has its place in the maintenance of peace and order.
The part the law of God plays in man’s redemption is singular and vital – it reveals sin to the individual and impresses upon the sinner his need of a Saviour. The law does not save us; it merely points out sin in our lives. Only Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, can save us. The law is God’s sin detector, for “by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20.) “Indeed it is the straightedge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are,” Phillips put it in his translation of Paul’s words.
The apostle declared that a glimpse of the commandments revealed to him his own sin: “I had not know sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Romans 7:7.
Have you had a look at the Ten Commandments recently to see how you appear in God’s sight.
Related:
David Asscherick Sermons Transcript: Imputed Righteousness
How Do You Become A Christian and Remain A Christian? – CD Brooks Sermon Transcript
I hope you have been blessed by this message on the relationship between law of God and the gospel.
