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Your Bible Lesson For The Day
What Is The Purpose Of God's Law?
What is a spatula, a scissors, a keyboard, or a coffee mug used for? Whatever you might name, it has a purpose, correct? So it is in the kingdom of God. The law of God has a purpose as well. Since we cannot save ourselves by doing good works according to God’s law, what is the purpose of God’s law? Discover the answer from the following Bible verses.
Romans 3:20 says, “. . . by means of law comes a consciousness of sin.” The law makes us conscious of our sins. Like a mirror, its chief purpose is to show us our sins.
Galatians 3:24 says, “And so the law has been a childhood guide in charge of us to lead us to Christ, in order that we may be declared righteous as a result of faith.” By showing us our sin and God’s threats of punishment God’s law shows us our need for a Savior and prepares our hearts for the good news about Jesus Christ.
And 1 Timothy 1:9,10 states, “. . . the law is not laid down for a righteous person but for lawless and undisciplined persons, for godless and sinful persons, for unholy and worldly persons, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murders, . . .” God’s law with its moral demands and threats of punishment was made for sinners who would disobey its commandments.
Then we read in Psalm 119:120, “My flesh bristles with terror of you; And I am afraid of your judgments.” God’s law with its threats to punish all who disobey its commandments serves as a curb for the pur[pse of making us afraid of God’s punishment, so we hold our sinful nature in check and do not sin against his commandments.
And Psalm 119:9 & 105 state, “ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word. . . Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” These verses teach us that another purpose of God’s law is to guide us in living a holy, God-pleasing life according to his commandments.
From the above verses we can see that the purpose of God’s law is threefold: It serves as a mirror to show us our sin and our need for the Savior Jesus Christ. This is the chief purpose of the law. It serves as a curb to hold our sinful nature in check, which otherwise would lead us into sin. It serves as a guide to living a holy life, which is pleasing to God.
Romans 3:20 says, “. . . by means of law comes a consciousness of sin.” The law makes us conscious of our sins. Like a mirror, its chief purpose is to show us our sins.
Galatians 3:24 says, “And so the law has been a childhood guide in charge of us to lead us to Christ, in order that we may be declared righteous as a result of faith.” By showing us our sin and God’s threats of punishment God’s law shows us our need for a Savior and prepares our hearts for the good news about Jesus Christ.
And 1 Timothy 1:9,10 states, “. . . the law is not laid down for a righteous person but for lawless and undisciplined persons, for godless and sinful persons, for unholy and worldly persons, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murders, . . .” God’s law with its moral demands and threats of punishment was made for sinners who would disobey its commandments.
Then we read in Psalm 119:120, “My flesh bristles with terror of you; And I am afraid of your judgments.” God’s law with its threats to punish all who disobey its commandments serves as a curb for the pur[pse of making us afraid of God’s punishment, so we hold our sinful nature in check and do not sin against his commandments.
And Psalm 119:9 & 105 state, “ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word. . . Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” These verses teach us that another purpose of God’s law is to guide us in living a holy, God-pleasing life according to his commandments.
From the above verses we can see that the purpose of God’s law is threefold: It serves as a mirror to show us our sin and our need for the Savior Jesus Christ. This is the chief purpose of the law. It serves as a curb to hold our sinful nature in check, which otherwise would lead us into sin. It serves as a guide to living a holy life, which is pleasing to God.
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