Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, - 1 Timothy 1:9
“The law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient.”
No man is righteous in himself. The righteous man here intended is the man who believes God with the heart unto righteousness and who lays hold of Christ’s righteousness by faith, which causes him to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world. The law of God does not lie upon him as a weight and a burden, forcing him into a way of life which he does not enjoy! He delights in the law of God, and God’s commandments are not grievous to him. He is a new creature in Christ, and his deepest desire is to know Christ, obey Christ, and glorify Christ in conversation and conduct.
The gospel no more excuses sin than the law does; what is contrary to one is contrary to the other. But it is not the law which motivates the believer, keeps him from lying, stealing, killing, and committing adultery, nor makes him generous, loving, and faithful. It is the nature of God within him; it is his love for Christ and holiness.
He does not worship, love, and give because he is commanded to do so; he does it because he wants to! Laws are enacted to control and convict the lawless and disobedient.
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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