•11:10 AM
"Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
What is the purpose of the Law? What is its purpose in the life of a believer?
The Law "was" (past tense, Galatians 3:24) our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. It revealed our failures and sins, and therefore our need for a Saviour.
"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Gal. 3:25)
So, what do we do with this old 'friend'? Do we keep him around as a wise counselor? Does he have any advice to give us that will help us in our new life? No, our Counselor is Christ.
But can't the Law help me to see clearly the difference between good and evil, so that I can cling to the one and avoid the other? No, to the believer "all things are lawful" (I Cor. 6:12, 10:23).
The Law is no longer our teacher. It was NOT made for the righteous man (I Tim. 1:9). It was "added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3). But isn't it good? Yes, "the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;" but it was NOT made for believers; it was made "for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane," etc. Now, Grace is to be our teacher. (Titus 2:11-12)
As for the Law:
If God has "abolished" it, why should we keep it? (Ephesians 2:15)
If God has "blotted" it out, why should we observe it? (Colossians 2:14)
If God has "disanulled" it, why should we affirm it? (Hebrews 7:18)
The Law has ONLY one purpose, and that is to reveal sin. Have you ever written a message with invisible ink? It's not visible until you hold it up to the heat of a light bulb.
Well, Paul says that there is invisible "sin" that is in every believer. (Romans 7:20) That "sin" lies dormant, quiet UNTIL it is brought into the presence of the Law. And then it is revealed. The "sin" manifests itself in the presence of the Law. The "sin" is given "strength" by the presence of the Law. (I Cor 15:56).
Do you want to live a holy life before the Lord? Then let the leftover "sin" remain dormant. Don't stir it up by bringing it into the presence of the Law.
It is better that some invisible messages remain unread.
What is the purpose of the Law? What is its purpose in the life of a believer?
The Law "was" (past tense, Galatians 3:24) our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. It revealed our failures and sins, and therefore our need for a Saviour.
"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Gal. 3:25)
So, what do we do with this old 'friend'? Do we keep him around as a wise counselor? Does he have any advice to give us that will help us in our new life? No, our Counselor is Christ.
But can't the Law help me to see clearly the difference between good and evil, so that I can cling to the one and avoid the other? No, to the believer "all things are lawful" (I Cor. 6:12, 10:23).
The Law is no longer our teacher. It was NOT made for the righteous man (I Tim. 1:9). It was "added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3). But isn't it good? Yes, "the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;" but it was NOT made for believers; it was made "for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane," etc. Now, Grace is to be our teacher. (Titus 2:11-12)
As for the Law:
If God has "abolished" it, why should we keep it? (Ephesians 2:15)
If God has "blotted" it out, why should we observe it? (Colossians 2:14)
If God has "disanulled" it, why should we affirm it? (Hebrews 7:18)
The Law has ONLY one purpose, and that is to reveal sin. Have you ever written a message with invisible ink? It's not visible until you hold it up to the heat of a light bulb.
Well, Paul says that there is invisible "sin" that is in every believer. (Romans 7:20) That "sin" lies dormant, quiet UNTIL it is brought into the presence of the Law. And then it is revealed. The "sin" manifests itself in the presence of the Law. The "sin" is given "strength" by the presence of the Law. (I Cor 15:56).
Do you want to live a holy life before the Lord? Then let the leftover "sin" remain dormant. Don't stir it up by bringing it into the presence of the Law.
It is better that some invisible messages remain unread.
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