The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 1:7-9a,
"They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful..."
One of the ways the church today struggles with Scripture is in understanding the believer's relationship to the law. When I say law, I am speaking of the ten commands given by God to Moses (the "Thou shalt nots"), Exodus 20:3-17, as well as the remainder of all laws given to Israel through Moses in the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy.) Many church leaders and many denominations resist what the Scriptures have to say about the Christian and law-keeping.
Here Paul tells us the law exists for the sinful, not for the righteous. Who are the sinful and who are the righteous? We know all mankind is sinful. All have sinned and fall under the judgment of God, Romans 3:23. We also know that those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith are righteous - sinners made righteous, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-22a.
We are told the purpose of the law was to show us our need of salvation. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:19-20. The law proves us to be sinners and God's purpose is that we flee to his mercy found in Jesus Christ. The law shows us we don't qualify to be acquitted on judgment day and so our only recourse is to avail ourselves of God's forgiveness through the death Jesus paid on our behalf. Once we do so, we are now found as righteous in God's sight. Not only on judgment day, but today and forever once we embrace him in faith.
This issue was one that dogged Paul's ministry, who wrote extensively about it in his letters. Romans and Galatians are devoted to this issue. Here are some statements he made: "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because 'the righteous will live by faith.' The law is not based on faith..." Galatians 3:11-12. "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." Galatians 3:24-25. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Romans 10:4.
Faith is always under assault, and no where more so than in the church. The sinful proclivity to displace faith to embrace religion as a vehicle of salvation and securing God's love and acceptance prompts many churches and pastors to find some way of accommodating faith and law-keeping. Paul speaks of this misguided teaching in his day in Colossians 2:20-23. One such effort today is an artificial distinction made between the "ceremonial law" and the "moral law". The notion is advanced that when the Scriptures tells believers they are no longer under the law, these folks meticulously advise us that what the Bible meant to say was that we are no longer under the "ceremonial law", but that we are still under the "moral law." The ceremonial law would be that which governs the temple worship and sacrifices, etc. The moral law would be the ten commands, etc. Without finding that distinction in the Scriptures, I have found them to say, in order to make clear what Paul meant, a reference to the ten commandments as that which we are no longer under, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet [the tenth commandment].'" Romans 7:6-7.
However, the law does reflect God's own character and nature. Therefore, we find true believers living their lives in ways that reflect God's character as expressed in the law - not in an effort of "keeping the law" but living in "the new way of the Spirit" who has enlightened us and empowered us to live lives pleasing to God.
"They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful..."
One of the ways the church today struggles with Scripture is in understanding the believer's relationship to the law. When I say law, I am speaking of the ten commands given by God to Moses (the "Thou shalt nots"), Exodus 20:3-17, as well as the remainder of all laws given to Israel through Moses in the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy.) Many church leaders and many denominations resist what the Scriptures have to say about the Christian and law-keeping.
Here Paul tells us the law exists for the sinful, not for the righteous. Who are the sinful and who are the righteous? We know all mankind is sinful. All have sinned and fall under the judgment of God, Romans 3:23. We also know that those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith are righteous - sinners made righteous, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-22a.
We are told the purpose of the law was to show us our need of salvation. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:19-20. The law proves us to be sinners and God's purpose is that we flee to his mercy found in Jesus Christ. The law shows us we don't qualify to be acquitted on judgment day and so our only recourse is to avail ourselves of God's forgiveness through the death Jesus paid on our behalf. Once we do so, we are now found as righteous in God's sight. Not only on judgment day, but today and forever once we embrace him in faith.
This issue was one that dogged Paul's ministry, who wrote extensively about it in his letters. Romans and Galatians are devoted to this issue. Here are some statements he made: "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because 'the righteous will live by faith.' The law is not based on faith..." Galatians 3:11-12. "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." Galatians 3:24-25. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Romans 10:4.
Faith is always under assault, and no where more so than in the church. The sinful proclivity to displace faith to embrace religion as a vehicle of salvation and securing God's love and acceptance prompts many churches and pastors to find some way of accommodating faith and law-keeping. Paul speaks of this misguided teaching in his day in Colossians 2:20-23. One such effort today is an artificial distinction made between the "ceremonial law" and the "moral law". The notion is advanced that when the Scriptures tells believers they are no longer under the law, these folks meticulously advise us that what the Bible meant to say was that we are no longer under the "ceremonial law", but that we are still under the "moral law." The ceremonial law would be that which governs the temple worship and sacrifices, etc. The moral law would be the ten commands, etc. Without finding that distinction in the Scriptures, I have found them to say, in order to make clear what Paul meant, a reference to the ten commandments as that which we are no longer under, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet [the tenth commandment].'" Romans 7:6-7.
However, the law does reflect God's own character and nature. Therefore, we find true believers living their lives in ways that reflect God's character as expressed in the law - not in an effort of "keeping the law" but living in "the new way of the Spirit" who has enlightened us and empowered us to live lives pleasing to God.
It just might be difficult for us at times to tell whether one lives by faith or by law-keeping. But God knows, and he will reward each accordingly.
What are you counting on for God's love and acceptance? Faith? Or law-keeping?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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