What The Law Couldn't Do

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:3-4

What is your favorite Commandment?

What is the one you struggle with the most?

God’s Law is good. It is a gift from God not only as a requirement but for our benefit and the benefit of our society. Indeed, the Law guides us as Christians and serves as a curb to prevent our civilization from going completely off the rails.

However, there is one thing God’s Law couldn’t do.

The Law was (and is) powerless to save us. It’s not the fault of the Law, as though God’s Law was somehow flawed. It isn’t. It’s perfect.

It’s our fault.

The Law is weakened by our sinful nature. In other words, the Law is good and holy, but we cannot follow it because we are sinners. Our sinful condition prevents the Law from being able to save us.

This was something many of the Jews both of Jesus day and before didn’t understand. They saw the Law as God’s path to salvation. The same is true for many in the church, today. The Law dominates their lives. Sadly, this always leads to one of two ends.

Pride – When a person feels like they are succeeding at following God’s Law then they think they are capable of saving themselves. This turns them away from the grace of the cross and causes them to look inwardly. It also tends to lead to a judgmental attitude towards those other “sinners.” Of course, it’s all deception. They simply don’t see how badly they fail to follow the Law.
Despair – When a person, rightly, sees that they don’t follow the Law perfectly and the Law is what they think determines their salvation, it can only lead to utter despair.

Where the Law Can’t Succeed, Jesus Did.

We cannot follow God’s Law perfectly, not even close. So, God sent His only Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Jesus was the sacrifice to pay the price for our sin, cleanse us of our sin, and make us holy and righteous. It’s a gift, unearned and undeserved, as that is the only way we could receive it. That gift is all we need. Indeed, it is the only way of salvation.

This is how we, now, live.

Do we live by the Law? No. While we still seek to obey the Law because we know it is good, beneficial, and of God, we do not live by the Law. We cannot find life through the Law because we cannot obey it perfectly. So, there is no place for pride.
Do we live by our sinful nature? No. While we still struggle with sin, we do not live by our sinful nature as we know that it leads to death.
Do we live by the Spirit? Yes!! The Spirit gives us live by faith in Jesus Christ, trusting in His sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. So, there is no need to despair, for while Law condemns and sinful nature destroys, the Spirit gives us abundant life that comes from Him, not of ourselves.

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your Law. It is good and guides my steps wisely. However, I know that according to Your Law I stand condemned. So, I thank You for Your grace, given to me by Your Spirit through faith in Jesus’ great sacrifice. Help me to always live by the Spirit.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

What The Law Couldn't Do

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL