Saturday, 4th March 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: APPLY THE LAW AS GOD INTENDED IT
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” - 1 Timothy 1:8
PREPARATORY QUESTION:
- Is the law relevant under the dispensation of grace?
In the preceding verses of the theme scripture, Apostle Paul mentions that the false teachers of the gospel desire to be teachers of the law but have no understanding. Therefore they distort the meaning and implication of the law in the life of the Christian. We have heard, many times by many preachers, that under the dispensation of grace, there is no place for the law. Is it the case? Anytime one mentions the law, these preachers are quick to rubbish it saying that the law promotes legalities and its therefore burdensome.
What most of them forget is that under grace Jesus set a high standard for the believer when He expounded the beatitude (Matt 5:27-45).
If God’s commandment “do not commit adultery, do not bear false witness against your neighbor” is burdensome, then we lack an understanding of what the Christian life entails. The life in Christ is superior. We have received the life of God in us. In the Old Testament, God was with them. In our dispensation, God is in us. The difference is profound. Having God in you means you have more to do. To him much is given, of him much shall be required (Luke 12:48). Do not be deceived that grace has made life cheaper in Christ.
The day we received Christ into our hearts, His righteousness was imparted to us.
Grace made this possible when it was not possible to acquire God’s righteousness under the law. However, having received God’s righteousness, much is expected of you to walk in that righteousness. Signifying that it should be easier for the true Christian to walk in the commandments of God, which was burdensome for men of old.
The Old Testament and its content are as relevant today as they were in time past. Jesus in His answer to the greatest of God’s commandments summarized the first 5 of the Ten Commandments in “love for God” and the last 5 in “love for neighbor.” In our focus scripture, we are told that “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” The emphatic statement here is that “the law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” One unlawful application of the law is the view that one can attain salvation by following the law. This position seeks to undermine the first advent of Christ Jesus and what His death on the cross signifies. The law has in it no power to produce justification for anyone; the law cannot bring salvation to you. This is not a proper application of the law. Further, in the Old Testament, men sought their righteousness by attempting to fulfil the law of God. They needed God to judge them righteous by their works under the law and they could not because, in the first place, they never had what it takes to work the law.
But you have the nature of God, His righteousness imparted to you. You can honor the law of God. This is the intention of God – that only men who have been made righteous by God will have the capacity to fulfil the law.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, it is written -“the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). What comes from God is as eternal as Himself. You have God’s nature; you can fulfil all of God’s laws. Unconditional Love (for God and mankind) is the central theme and intention of all His laws. You have His nature, which is love, in you so fulfil His law.
FURTHER READING – Exodus 20:1-17
QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How well do you know the Ten Commandments? It is a good time to refresh your memory regarding the Ten Commandments.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I receive your help daily to understand and know the lawful use of the law in my everyday life in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Leviticus 9; Leviticus 10; Psalm 108; Psalm 109; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2
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