November 15, 2008

Law Reveals Sin

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:19-20 NKJV)

View and use the law properly. The legalist thinks he will be safe by keeping the law. However, this was not its purpose. It is a tutor to lead men to Christ. As Paul says, “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.

Anyone who hopes to be saved by keeping the law fails to understand the corruption of the flesh. Paul just described the wickedness of those outside of Christ as bloodthirsty murderers. This description seems harsh to many because they see themselves as better than what the law sees them. This is a huge hindrance to spiritual growth and a roadblock to salvation.

Many dislike it when preachers seem to be negative. However, the problem with believers today is they live in a make-believe world where all love them and sin is no longer a problem. Listen if you live by faith the world will hate you as it did Christ. Paul didn’t cry out, “O wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death?” because he was well pleased with his condition in this life (Rom. 7:24). Instead, he cried out because his struggle with the flesh tortured his soul. Recognize the wickedness of your flesh and it will cause you to groan also.

However, the law is our greatest tool for evangelism. Study the encounters Jesus had with lost men and women and you will see He always exposed their sin. Jesus said make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19-20). Get away from this silly notion of asking people to receive Christ, and cause them to ask, “Does He receive me?”