Does the law condemn just the “bad stuff?”






The Law, Sin, and Christ

Introduction:

The Law, as presented in the Bible, can often be a source of confusion and frustration for believers. On one hand, it is described as holy, good, and spiritual, while on the other hand, it seems to condemn us and expose our sinful nature. In this post, we will explore the various aspects of the Law, its purpose, and how it relates to our spiritual journey.

The Law and Our Sinful Nature
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In Romans 7:12-20, Paul explains that the Law is holy, good, and spiritual, but the part of us that responds to it (the flesh) is sinful and carnal. The Bible teaches that we are sinners not only by choice but also because of something in us called “sin.” Therefore, the Law exposes our sinful nature and reveals that there is another law of sin in our members. In essence, “every time we would do good, evil is present with us.”

The Purpose of the Law
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The purpose of the Law is to bring us into crises and reveal what is in our nature, as stated in Galatians 3:24 and Romans 7:7-8. God’s desire is to bring us to a realization of what is in our nature, so we can turn to Christ, the Spirit, and learn to live in the Spirit. This realization can be painful and may even bring us to our knees, but it is necessary for spiritual growth.

The Condemnation of the Law
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The Law not only condemns our “naughty” stuff but also our desire to do good, as seen in Romans 7:15-16. This is because our “Desire to do good” is actually just another form of covetousness. It is not altruistic. Paul thought he was serving God when he was persecuting Christians on the way to Damascus, but he finally learned that “thou shalt not covet” included his desire to have a reputation in religion and his treasuring of his religious traditions and background that inflamed his zeal. In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul talks about the things he once counted as gain that he now considers loss for the sake of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. This includes “righteousness out of the law” We cannot rely on the Law to save us or make us better people. The only answer to our fallen nature is to turn to Christ, the Spirit, and learn to live in the Spirit. We must count on His resurrection and trust in His grace.

The Law and Blindness
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The Law will eventually become a veil to blind us if we keep pursuing it and not Christ, as explained in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. The Law is not a recommendation for “how to live.” It is a diagnosis of our condition. Many people believe that their affinity for the law indicates their goodness. However, consider this analogy: if you were to enter a house with notes scattered throughout, such as “don’t forget to put the seat down on the toilet and clean it afterward,” “remove any moldy food from the fridge every Friday,” “keep your room tidy,” and “let the dogs out, or face consequences if they urinate in the living room,” would you assume that this family is naturally tidy and doesn’t require reminders? Or would you think that they are unclean? Similarly, a straight-A student does not need to be reminded about the consequences of cheating or receiving an F. That warning is more appropriate for a student in danger of failing. Can you imagine God telling Jesus Christ, “When you become a man, make sure you don’t fornicate or chase women, stay focused, and you’ll receive a great reward!” Reward charts with stars are for children who require additional support to follow rules. When we use the Law to condemn others or justify ourselves, we miss the point and become blinded by legalism. The purpose of the law is to reveal sin. But the problem of sin is deeper than anything we can do about. Only Jesus Christ can deal with sin. The only person able to deal with terminal illness is the great Physician. The purpose of the law is to teach us to come to Him.

Conclusion:

The Law is an essential aspect of our spiritual journey, but we must understand its purpose and limitations. The Law exposes our sinful nature, brings us to crises, and points us to Christ. We cannot rely on the Law to save us or make us better people. Instead, we must turn to Christ, the Spirit, and learn to live in the Spirit..

Main point: The Law reveals our sinfulness and need for Christ. [John 15:5 KJV, Romans 3:20 KJV]

Keywords: Law, sin, Christ, Spirit, condemnation, resurrection.

I. The Law and Our Problem

  • A. The Law is holy, good, and spiritual (Romans 7:12)
  • B. We are sinful and carnal (Romans 7:14)
  • C. The Bible reveals that we are sinners not only by choice but also because of something in us called “sin” (Romans 7:17-20)

II. The Law and Sin

  • A. The Law reveals the presence of sin in us (Romans 7:7-8)
  • B. The law of sin is in our members (Romans 7:23)
  • C. Every time we would do good, evil is present with us (Romans 7:21)

III. The Law and Christ

  • A. The Law will eventually become a veil to blind us if we keep pursuing it and not Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)
  • B. The purpose of the Law is to bring us into crises and to reveal what is in our nature (Romans 7:13)
  • C. God’s desire is to bring us to a realization of what is in our nature (Romans 7:24-25)

IV. The Law and Condemnation

  • A. The Law not only condemns our “naughty” stuff but also our desire to do good (Romans 7:15-16)
  • B. The only answer to our fallen nature is to turn to Christ, the Spirit, and learn to live in the Spirit, counting on His resurrection (Romans 7:24-25; 8:1-2)

    

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