A Biblical Application Of The Law
Around this time last year, we discussed everyone’s day in court and how we cannot measure up to the standard that God has set before us; namely the Ten Commandments. Still to this day however, we see people creeping into the Church claiming a “faith plus” form of salvation. This is not a new issue and as the days grow darker, it will become an even greater issue. For this reason, we need to know our Scripture so that when these false teachers come in we can maintain and encourage others of the assurance of salvation.
I have mentioned above that this is not a new issue, this has been around since the beginning of the Church. In fact, Timothy dealt with this very issue. Before we get into our main passage, I want to do a little background on the book of First Timothy. The book was written to Timothy by Paul, it was Paul’s way of encouraging and instructing Timothy as he became the head of the Church in Ephesus. The book has two purposes, the first being found in 1 Timothy 1:3, “3 Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines,” and the second is found in 1 Timothy 1:5, “5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”. The first purpose of the book was to instruct those who would come across others in the church teaching “strange doctrines” or doctrines that went against the Word of God. The second purpose was to do so with a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. If you have followed along with our study on how to interact with those who are actively going against the Word of God, then you should know that we are called to instruct them in a loving manner. But we are not to allow them to spread their false teachings.
This may seem like an unusual background for a topic on the Law, but it really isn’t. For there are members in the church who come in and claim that the work that Jesus did on the cross was not enough. That we need to add to it in order to achieve/maintain our salvation. This ideology is a “strange doctrine”, it is an unbiblical one. That is not to say that the Law is bad, in fact scripture shows that the Law is good. “8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.” 1 Timothy 1:8. The important thing to note hear is that the law is good when used properly.
This has nothing to do with salvation because the law was not meant for those who are seen as righteous by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 describes who the law is for, “9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, homosexuals, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,”
The person who is righteous is the one who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, because He died and rose again we are seen as righteous. Those who try to ascribe to the law are trying to add onto what has already been done. They take the words of Jesus Christ on the cross either to lightly or to hold no meaning at all. “ 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30. Jesus finished God the Father’s salvation plan on the cross and when He rose again three days later. Jesus Christ’s salvation is given completely and wholly in His Word. For those who would say that something else additionally needs to be required, would be adding or subtracting from Jesus Christ’s own words when He declared it was finished.
It is for this reason that the law is for the unrighteous. The Ten Commandments is an impossible list to uphold. I think of the most “simple” commandment, “16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 in other words “You shall not lie”. This is an aspect that everyone short of God has done, it is innate in us from the time we were children. Once we have failed to keep one commandment, we cannot keep the others. The law is not meant for the righteous because our salvation is in Jesus Christ. The law is meant for the unrighteous to lead them to Christ. If you seriously look at what the law requires, you will see that there is no human who can uphold the law. If you seriously look at the Scriptures, you will see that only God can and has upheld the law.
As mentioned above, the ideology that salvation is found through a “faith plus” form of works is not a new topic. Paul’s letter to Timothy instructing him to correct those in the church at Ephesus was not the first time the apostle wrote about this issue, Paul also writes to the church in Galatia. In this letter, Paul took a different tactic. Instead of writing to describe who the law was for, he instead wrote regarding the Old Testament saints and their salvation.
When you read Paul’s words, you can easily see how deeply he believed in salvation through faith and not by works; in fact his words come across as almost testy. “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3 Again Paul is pointing out that it is not by our obedience to the Law that saves us, it is faith in the saving life of Jesus Christ. Obedience to the law did not allow them to receive the Holy Spirit, it was faith that when Jesus Christ said “It is finished” that truly was the end. Paul now points out that once the Spirit begins the good work in us, that we cannot complete it with our own works. In fact, to believe so is foolish!
Paul then reminds the church at Galatia of Abraham. “6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:6-7. Paul is reminding the reader that Abraham had faith that God would complete His promise to him. That promise is found in Genesis 22, God promised Abraham a son and that his descendants would be greatly multiplied. This promise was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac but in relation of bringing about salvation (Jesus) for Abraham and the world. However, Abraham’s faith would be tested when God called him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, Genesis 22:2. Abraham’s faith allowed him to be counted as righteousness when he began to complete this task, Abraham did not know how God would complete the second half of His promise if Abraham’s son was dead but he knew that God would complete it.
Paul continues his admonition that it is not following the Law or any of our other works, that cause us to receive salvation. He next points out that “10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”” Galatians 3:10-13.
Within this passage there are a couple of points to make. First, those who are relying on the work of the law are cursed. Again the law is not bad or evil, but it is not meant to bring salvation. The law is meant to point to the only one who can actually complete it, Jesus Christ. Imagine the Law being an “inpatient form” when you go to the emergency room. It is there only to inform you and the doctor of the specifics of why you need help. The “inpatient form” doesn’t heal you, the doctor does. The Law doesn't save, it only tells us we need the good physician.
Which leads to the second point, if we cannot be justified by our works then how can we? It is by faith in the works of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We can only be justified by faith; and since the law is not based on faith but action, it cannot justify us. Finally, if those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, then how can the curse be broken? The answer for this is again faith in Jesus Christ. He became a curse for us when He was crucified, which then redeemed us when we place our faith in Him.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex