1 Timothy 1:8-11

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

 

The law was established for a purpose.  Unfortunately, corrupt man will take that which is holy and corrupt it so that it is no longer serves the purpose for which it was given.  When people use the gifts of God in ways which they were not intended to be used, the end up brining harm and condemnation on themselves and others.  The illegitimate use of God’s gifts is what Paul is asking Timothy to correct.

 

THE LAWFUL USE OF THE LAW: The intention of the law is to demonstrate the sinfulness of man, not to make man just.  The law has no power to justify because man has no power to keep the law.  The law is good and establishes God’s standard of perfection for mankind.  The law reveals the holiness of God.  Those who have been justified by faith in Christ understand their own inability to meet God’s standard, so they entrust themselves to the Lord who is the only One to perfectly keep the law and gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin.  The lawful use of the law is to reveal our need for Jesus.

 

THE LAWLESS USE OF THE LAW: The law has been given for the sake of disobedient sinners so they might understand their own sinful state.  When God’s standard is not met, rebellious people will either lower God’s standard to their own level of sinfulness or justify their sin by blaming God or others for their condition.  They live in a delusional state where they reject God, hate all authority, practice immorality, and speak with dishonesty; and yet consider themselves to be “good enough.”  Those who think they are just while living in sin are truly living lawless lives.

 

THE LEGITIMATE USE OF THE LAW: Jesus is the fulfilment of the law.  He was obedient in action, thought, and motive.  His desires were always pure and His actions blameless.  The legitimate use of the law is to glorify Jesus and praise His holy name.  The law when used correctly should always lead to worship of God and the advancement of the Gospel.  The law reveals just how much we desperately need the Gospel.  Those of us who have been entrusted with this glorious Gospel are motivated by the law to proclaim it.

 

APPLICATION: Recognize that nobody besides Christ can ever meet the standard set by the law.  Don’t justify or excuse sin.  Rather, trust Christ for forgiveness.  Worship the Lord for the salvation He provides.  Proclaim the Gospel as man’s only hope.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 3:1-7

The saying is   trustworthy: If anyone aspires to   the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.    Therefore   an overseer must be above reproach,   the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable,   hospitable,   able to teach,   not a drunkard, not violent but   gentle, not quarrelsome,   not a lover of money.    He must manage his own household well, with all dignity   keeping his children submissive,   for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for   God's church?    He must not be a recent convert, or he may   become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.    Moreover, he must be well thought of by   outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into   a snare of the devil. One of Timothy’s jobs while he was in Ephesus was to establish leadership in the church that would serve the body faithfully.  Paul provides the qualifications for the elders that would be entrusted with the respons
Read more

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

                                                                             2 Corinthians 12:11-21 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was   not at all inferior to these super-apostles,   even though I am nothing.    The signs of a true apostle were performed among you   with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.    For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that   I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!    Here   for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for   I seek not what is yours but you. For   children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but   parents for their children.    I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If   I love you more, am I to be loved less?    But granting that   I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.    Did I take advantage of you   through
Read more