So if we are saved solely by Christ’s work on the cross, then why did God give us the Law? It’s helpful to look at life in the Garden before the fall to understand. Remember that life in the garden was perfect. Everything, every thought worked just as it was supposed to and was perfectly good. It wasn’t even in a person’s nature to do wrong. No matter what they decided, thought or said it was a good thing. It was the right thing. All this was true… with one exception. The only thing that humanity could choose to do that was bad was to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam chose to do just that and all through that one sin has entered all the evil that exists in the world. Now, nothing works as it should. Everything is corrupted. Even and especially our view of the world. We no longer see the world through God’s eyes. We don’t see what is good and what is evil, often confusing the one for the other. This leads us down the path to death, decay and misery. We are like blind men walking through a minefield. We need a map to show us where the mines are. That is what the law is, a map that shows us where the life mines are.
Before the Fall, people didn’t have to be reminded to worship God alone, or not to make idols because they naturally saw God in everything. They saw God as he really is, not completely but what they did see was true. They didn’t need to be reminded to treat God’s name as holy because they naturally and perfectly revered God. They didn’t need to be reminded to rest and keep the Sabbath holy. They didn’t need to honor their parents because they naturally loved and honored them in every way. They didn’t need to be reminded not to steal or envy because they naturally enjoyed working and were totally content with what they made and what God had given them. Before the Fall, people were perfect, good and abounding in Joy. They had no need to be reminded to do anything right or not do anything wrong because that ability was built into their nature.
The law is there to show us what brings us death and what brings us life. But it is important to remember that the Law was never intended to make us right before God. That can be done, and was accomplished, solely by Christ. And Christ’s righteousness is applied and given to us solely by faith. We bring nothing of merit to deserve it. The Law does:
- Our need for Christ by showing us that we really are sinners and that we can’t make ourselves sinless in our own power.
- Shows us what God’s goodness looks like. It gives us a glimpse of what people and life were like in their perfection in the garden before the Fall.
- And by the power of the Spirit at work in us, it shows us what to strive for in our lives that will bring us peace and goodness.
God gave us His law as a gift to us. And understand that by the power of the Holy Spirit working in you, daily little by little, you will be transformed back into what you were originally designed to be in the garden, perfect. This process will never be complete in this lifetime. This process is also not a race with others in which to compete. It is a race with yourself. The wonderful thing is that you are guaranteed to win it and become like Jesus.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
The law is a gift. Just remember it’s purpose and never let anyone, yourself or Satan convince you that the Law, or any law, is there for God to judge you.
Never forget that,
Grandpa
A Grandpa's Musings 
Leave a comment