DEAD TO THE LAW

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:1-4).

Devotion 4 of 17

KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH

Repeatedly I have mentioned the shortcoming of intellectual knowledge. This view is not to be interpreted as a repudiation of thought and the acquisition of knowledge. It is intended to affirm that salvation cannot be effected by this means. Armed with all of the facts about sin, men still commit transgression. Their natural powers, however astute, cannot resolve their alienation from God, change their nature, or produce righteousness in them. Logic is a wonderful asset, but it is not a Savior, nor can it ever be! This situation is confirmed by the ministry of "the Law."

The Law informed our race about sin, precisely defining it. As it is written, " . . . because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (Rom 3:20). That knowledge, however, proved impotent when it came to the avoidance of sin. Great sinners of Scriptural record KNEW what to avoid and what to do. Adam and Eve were fully aware of the fruit that was NOT to be eaten. Israel KNEW the promised land was theirs, and that they were to go in and possess it. Achan KNEW nothing was to be taken from the city of Jericho for personal use. David KNEW adultery was forbidden. Peter KNEW it was not acceptable to deny Jesus. On and on we could go--even down to the personal level!

If knowing what is right and wrong can keep us from sin, then "the Law" is adequate to save us! It defined right and wrong at a summary level, as well as in detail. In summary, loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength is man's first priority. Secondarily, loving your neighbor as yourself recapitulated man's social responsibilities (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37). The details were provided in the decalogue, as well as the sundry ordinances of the Mosaic Law. If that is all humanity required--the identification of right and wrong--the Law provided the information.

Because of the corruption caused by sin, however, men were prohibited from fulfilling the Law. Firstly, they did not have a heart for it. Secondly, they did not have the wisdom to do it. Thirdly, their conscience became defiled, driving them from the presence of the Lord. Fourthly, the devil, capitalizing upon the situation, dominated their hearts and minds with the course of this world.

The Bible Is Not A Mere Hand Book

Permit me to take this a little further, venturing into forbidden theological territory. If the Bible is merely a "handbook," to tell us what is right and wrong, we have a serious situation on our hands. We have demands, or directions, that require strength not possessed by fallen humanity. It is certainly true that the correct way to live is declared in God's Word. That is not, however, the primary purpose of Scripture. I am quick to say that the Word of God speaks forthrightly to those asking "What shall I do?" It must be remembered that man's greatest disability is not ignorance of what to do--it is ignorance of God and disobedience that condemn the soul. As it is written, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" (2 Thess 1:8-9, NIV).

Others prefer to call The Bible a "road map," that shows us the way to heaven. There is surely an element of truth to this view--but it is only an element, certainly not the whole picture. When it comes to the Gospel of Christ, which induces faith (Rom 10:10-17), the Word is called "the witness that God has borne concerning His Son" (1 John 5:10). It is primarily a proclamation of Divine accomplishment, not moral requirements!

This is a revolutionary perspective that radically changes our approach to the Word of God. However, it is a liberating one, that produces infinitely more God-glorifying fruit than an approach that views improved human conduct as the chief objective of God. This in no way minimizes the necessity of living a holy life. It is ever true, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thess 4:7). That holiness is the RESULT of salvation, not the cause of it--and it is both reasonable and essential!

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You through Jesus for providing a salvation that not only cleanses, but empowers.

-- Tomorrow: MORAL LAXITY IS NOT ALLOWED --