March 7, 2004

WHEREFORE THEN THE LAW?

Romans 3:20

The law gives the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).

The law works wrath, for where no law is there is no transgression.

The law entered that the offence might abound (5:20). (4:15).

The law stirred up the passions of sin (7:5).

The law made sin known (7:7).

The law was not designed to give righteousness, inheritance, or life.

The law was added because of transgressions (Gal. 2:21, 3:18-21).

The law was a school master until Christ (Gal. 3:24).

The law was not made for righteous men but for sinners (1 Tim.1:9).

The law made nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:19).

The law was a shadow of good things to come (Hebrews 10:1).

The failure was not in the law!

The law is holy...just...and good (Romans 7:12).

We know the law is spiritual, but I am carnal sold under sin (7:14).

I consent to the law that it is good (7:16).

The failure is in the flesh. Man cannot use the law to his good.

The law becomes a ministry of death and condemnation (2 Cor. 3).

   "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit" (Romans 8:4).

   A holy and spiritual law, when brought to bear on the human heart, immediately reveals the presence of sin, "the carnal mind is enmity against God, it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (8:6-8).

   The gospel of the grace of God, justification by faith, redemption and the propitiation of Christ cannot be appreciated while there remains a lingering shred of hope in ourselves. Like the condemned thief, "we receive the due reward of our deeds" (Luke 23:41). Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law. You are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4).

Ivan L. Burgener