Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Legitimate Use of The Law

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
1 Timothy 1 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 3 Numbers 21 Numbers 22 Psalms 60

"The law is good, provided one uses it legitimately," writes Paul in 1 Timothy 1:8. There was a tension in Paul's day, as there continues to be today, about the role of the law under the rule of grace. "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift." (Ephesians 2:8) So does this mean we forget about the law, that it has no place under grace? As a result of such questions some tend to edge out grace and living by faith in favor of living by the law. This was the issue about which Paul was instructing Timothy. "Yes, the law is good," he said, "but it must be used legitimately."

So what is the legitimate use of the law? His answer to this was that, "The law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious." (Ephesians 1:9) One does not become righteous by the law nor does he maintain a life of righteousness through the law. This is all a work of God's grace through our faith in Christ Jesus. And when we live out a life that reflects the life of Christ, it will by all means be according to the teachings of the law. But Christ is our guide rather than the law. What Paul was saying to Timothy was that “God did not give the Law to save people, but to show people how much they need to be saved.”

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