Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The principle of law is ingrained
in the very flesh of men. Yet the same flesh is described
as lawless, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.
On the one hand, men love law, and on the other, despise it.
The same man who will steal something from another man will react with
anger when something is stolen from him. The same man who expects
forgiveness for those whom he has wronged will demand satisfaction
from those who have wronged him. Paul says, For when the Gentiles
which have not the law do by nature the things contained in
the law, these having not the law are law unto themselves,
which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their
conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile
accusing or else excusing one another. It is for this reason
that he said, Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever
thou art that judgest. For wherein thou judgest another,
thou condemnest thyself. For thou that judgest doest the
same things. Is it any wonder that man in
his religious flesh supposes that the sin of men can somehow
be remedied by the means of law, and turns to the law of Moses
for that purpose? We are convinced that the law
is good, righteous, and holy, but we are equally convinced
that it cannot do anything for men except manifest their sin,
simply because men are weak in the flesh and sinners by nature
and choice. Religious men suppose that they
can keep the law in some fashion. Few men would testify that they
keep it perfectly, but most generally suppose that the keeping of it,
in part, is of greater benefit than not keeping it at all. Yet
the truth of the matter is that if the law is broken in one point,
it is completely broken, and any supposed benefit is forfeited. This is the exact lesson that
the Lord taught the rich young ruler who supposed that he had
kept the law from his youth. Yet the Lord plainly told him
he was far from perfect. When the Lord is pleased to reveal
His law to men, it always brings sorrow, because it always reveals
their sin. Paul testified of this when he
said, The Lord ordained the law, not
as a standard whereby a man might gauge his relative morality,
but rather to display his sin. We must keep in mind that the
law is given for the unrighteous and as a schoolmaster to bring
us to Christ, who alone is the remedy for sin. Laying a foundation
of moral principles in our homes for our children's sake is a
noble undertaking, even as was demonstrated in the life of Timothy.
But it is sheer folly to think that this teaching will in some
measure curb their natural appetite for sin, any more than the broadcasting
of it from the housetops will reduce crime in the nation. Unless
the Lord is pleased to apply that law in the conviction of
sin, it will fall upon deaf ears and only serve to stir up a self-righteous
spirit. Religion and morality go hand
in hand and are both quite appealing to the flesh, yet neither is
a substitute for a work of grace wrought in the man by the operation
of the Spirit of God. Well-meaning men often suppose
that the teaching of morality will serve as a remedy for sin.
Yet the truth is that only Christ can do helpless sinners good.
There is no true remedy for sin besides that which is the work
of Christ. So are we opposed to the declaration of the law?
Of course not, so long as it is not laid upon the freeborn
sons of God as a yoke, thinking that their walk with Christ will
somehow be enhanced, or they will become more spiritual as
a result. Christ is the remedy needed by sinful men. He has
paid the penalty of sin. Christ has redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Indeed, he has
become sin for us and paid our debt. He delivers His children
from a self-righteous spirit. As Paul said, But God forbid
that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
He has freed them from the guilt and condemnation of sin. How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God? There is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law
of sin and death. He does deliver his people from
the unrestrained practice of sin. Whosoever abideth in him
sinneth not. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither known him. And such were some of you. But
ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name
of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things
are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient. All things
are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power
of any. Are you washed in the blood of
the Lamb? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.