I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.

                                                                                                                 Galatians 2:21 

As good and perfect as is the Law of God, there is still a problem. This problem is not with the Law itself rather in our ability to keep it. Since the first transgression of Adam, all of mankind has suffered from a sin nature and that nature is in each of us from birth (Romans 5:18). We don’t have to teach children how to be cruel rather we have to teach them to be kind. We don’t instruct students on cheating rather on the importance of honesty and integrity. And none of us need a lesson on selfishness rather we need to learn selflessness. So while God’s design for life is best, none of us have managed to live accordingly (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, James 2:10).

Tragically, some identify the Christian faith as living under the weight of stringent, burdensome demands, being diligent to maintain obedience to the Law as a means of being accepted by God. I believe that this is one reason why so many people simply “give up” when it comes to spiritual things. These people “self-assess” and rationalize that it is too late for them given all of their disobedience to God’s standard. But scripture teaches us just the opposite. None of us have lived up to the demands of the Law. Today’s passage is a reminder that this is not the purpose of the Law. If that had been the case, then there would have been no cause for Jesus to come and give of Himself on our behalf. No, the Law was not given as an avenue for righteousness rather righteousness now comes by faith and that faith must be rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

So why was the Law given? There are three biblical truths that we need to consider:

1. The Law was given so that our sin might increase

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…

                                                                                                Romans 5:20 

Contrary to the belief that the Law is our guide to righteousness, the Law actually works to increase our sin. Imagine driving on a road in which there is no posted speed limit. Given this absence of any direction on how fast (or slow) we are to travel, we take it upon ourselves to choose a speed that we believe is acceptable. So we begin driving 75 miles per hour. We are quite comfortable with our decision and make this speed our adopted way of driving. But one day, road crews arrive and begin to erect speed limit signs. These are not suggestions on how fast to drive rather they are established law regarding speed limits. And what does the sign say? “Speed limit 35.” Now we have information not previously known. The sign reveals that not only have we been breaking the law, we have been way over the limit.

This is exactly what the Law has done for mankind. It demonstrates our guilt. It effectively makes the knowledge of our sin increase. Paul says, however, that as our sin increased, the grace of God “abounded all the more.” This is an important discovery especially for those who would suggest that the scope of mankind’s sin is somehow greater than God’s ability and willingness to save. “Abounding all the more” comes from a compound Greek word meaning to “super-abound.” In other words, whatever the degree of sin, the grace of God far surpasses it! And that leads us to our second truth.

2. The Law was given as a tutor to lead us to Christ

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.                                                            

                                                                                                            Galatians 3:23-26 

While the Law reveals the guilt of our disobedience (which is the bad news), it also leads us to the solution to our problem (the goods news of Jesus). Paul tells us that the Law held us in custody until the completion of Christ’s work could be fulfilled. We are all familiar with what happens when a suspect is arrested and charged with a crime. The handcuffs go on and the individual’s freedom is suspended until his/her day in court arrives. The Law holds all of mankind in spiritual custody. But as it holds us accountable, it also acts as a tutor.

Students will often utilize the services of a tutor in order to receive personal instruction and increase their chances for mastery of a particular set of materials. The Law condemns us so that we will run to Jesus. As we do, our justification (right standing with God) is then secured by faith. Under this new covenant that God has made with mankind, all who place their faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross will be saved and this is done completely apart from works (obedience to the Law, Romans 3:28). To neglect Jesus’ offer of salvation by faith is like being a passenger on a sinking ship and ignoring the calls to “man the lifeboats.”

Paul also reminds us that since “faith” has come, we are no longer under a tutor. When students master their material, they are no longer in need of the tutor. At that point, the personalized instruction has fulfilled its desired outcome. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the Law. When we begin to ease obedience to the Law back into the conversation regarding salvation, we are actually rendering this truth of salvation by faith apart from works, null and void. We are all sons and daughters of God through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross! And that leads us to our final truth. 

3. Jesus Christ did everything necessary to fulfill the Law for us 

For Christ is the end (fulfillment) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 

                                                                                                                   Romans 10:4 

Jesus Christ fulfilled the demands of the Law, rendering them powerless in the life of a believer. Tragically, this truth is all too often ignored. Human nature will almost always lead us to believe that our acceptance by God and entrance into heaven will somehow be on the basis of something that we have done (or avoided). For some religious people, the idea that any sinner can be saved is quite offensive. These individuals will often focus on what others are guilty of rather than acknowledge the grace that extends even to the lowliest.

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” What a powerful statement! As we live by faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we are no longer under the Law as a means of being declared righteous rather we are declared righteous on the basis of our faith (Romans 4:4-5). I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said the following: 

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 

                                                                                                                     Matthew 5:17 

The Law has not been abolished in that mankind is still guilty before it however Jesus has come and fulfilled all of the demands of the Law knowing that we could never accomplish that for ourselves. This is at the heart of the gospel. This is at the heart of the Christian faith. And this is why we sing as we gather to worship our Savior!

So now that we have the full story on the Law and understand the importance of receiving salvation by faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, let’s take a look at the importance of each commandment and why adherence to God’s design for life brings spiritual blessings to our lives as well as the lives of those around us!