2020 Daily Devotion - Day 177
In theology, there is a concept known as Law and Gospel. This concept teaches the Law of God has two functions. The first is to teach society how to live and the second is to lead us to Christ. In terms of the first purpose, the Commandments of God have served as the foundation to the secular laws of many countries. The Law of God tells society it is not a good idea to steal from one another, murder one another and so forth. If society follows the Laws of God, it will be healthier place.
But the second use of the Law is meant to frankly “drive us to despair”. In the second use of the Law, we begin to see that we can never live up to all that God is commanding of us. Jesus takes the Commandments and teaches the Sermon on the Mount, which some have called the “impossible ideal” because He takes the commandments to an even higher level. But the point is, with the second use of the Law, we see we cannot save ourselves. We can never live at the level of perfection which the Law requires. This is the point at which we can hear the Gospel.
One of my professors in seminary used to say, “When you preach the law, don’t wound someone, because the law is meant to kill our ego and pride.” It is only when we are brought to utter hopelessness by the Law of God, we are then able hear the Gospel.
This is what happened in the book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost. Peter was preaching a powerful sermon. He convicted the crowd with the Law of God and their true condition. This is what happened next in Acts chapter two:
Acts 2:37-38 RSV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Notice, it says “they were cut to the heart”. And they asked Peter, “What shall we do?” In other words, the Law had done its job. It had brought them to the place of despair so they could hear the Gospel, which Peter then announces that if they will repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, their sins will be forgiven and they will receive the Holy Spirit. In the midst of their anguish under the Law, they were told there is salvation in Jesus Christ.
The Law brings us to the place where we can hear the Gospel and be set free.
Galatians 3:24
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Law and Commandments which teach us how to live our lives in more wholesome ways. We thank You for Your Law which drives us to despair, so we can hear the Gospel and be forgiven and saved. Use the Law and the Gospel to lead us to a better understanding, not of religion, but of You and Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
But the second use of the Law is meant to frankly “drive us to despair”. In the second use of the Law, we begin to see that we can never live up to all that God is commanding of us. Jesus takes the Commandments and teaches the Sermon on the Mount, which some have called the “impossible ideal” because He takes the commandments to an even higher level. But the point is, with the second use of the Law, we see we cannot save ourselves. We can never live at the level of perfection which the Law requires. This is the point at which we can hear the Gospel.
One of my professors in seminary used to say, “When you preach the law, don’t wound someone, because the law is meant to kill our ego and pride.” It is only when we are brought to utter hopelessness by the Law of God, we are then able hear the Gospel.
This is what happened in the book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost. Peter was preaching a powerful sermon. He convicted the crowd with the Law of God and their true condition. This is what happened next in Acts chapter two:
Acts 2:37-38 RSV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Notice, it says “they were cut to the heart”. And they asked Peter, “What shall we do?” In other words, the Law had done its job. It had brought them to the place of despair so they could hear the Gospel, which Peter then announces that if they will repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, their sins will be forgiven and they will receive the Holy Spirit. In the midst of their anguish under the Law, they were told there is salvation in Jesus Christ.
The Law brings us to the place where we can hear the Gospel and be set free.
Galatians 3:24
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Law and Commandments which teach us how to live our lives in more wholesome ways. We thank You for Your Law which drives us to despair, so we can hear the Gospel and be forgiven and saved. Use the Law and the Gospel to lead us to a better understanding, not of religion, but of You and Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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