Abounding Grace: The Grace of the Law | The Law is Good

Sunday, we’ll continue with our theme of God’s Abounding Grace by studying the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 (the Law of God). At first glance, we might think that God’s Law offers no grace, only condemnation. Why study the instrument of our condemnation? We might also argue that because we’ve been justified by faith, we don’t need to consider the Ten Commandments since we’re under grace. We could also argue with the Apostle Paul (Romans 7) that the Law is not a tool that we need or can use to merit right standing with God. Because of our flesh, Paul says the Law is powerless, like holding a power tool with no electricity. Finally, because we’ve been justified and Christ has assumed the Law’s curse, it cannot condemn us. Its threats are empty and meaningless for the believer. So why study the Law of God?

The Scripture has a different perspective on the Law of God. The Apostle Paul says, “The Law is good,” 1 Timothy 1:8. The psalmist speaks of the beauty of the Law, saying, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day,” Psalm 119:97. He speaks of the benefits of studying the Law, saying, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me,” Psalm 119:98. The Apostle Paul asks the question, “Is the Law sin?” His answer is emphatic, “By no means.” (Romans 7:7) He concludes, “the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12) 

So, if the Law is holy and good, it is an expression of the goodness of God and studying it should minister that goodness to us. The Westminster Larger Catechism gives us some guidance concerning the grace of God in the Law. It says that the Law informs us, teaching us about God’s character. The Law convinces us of our sinfulness and inability to obey; it drives us to humility before God, moving us to greater dependency on Christ. This will be our basic outline each week as we consider the Law of God. Join us Sunday as we follow the Law to Christ!