We have gone through three examples that Paul gives of why we should not live lives of sin any longer now that we are in Christ Jesus. A challenging question for Christians is: What is their relationship to God's Law and commands? How are we supposed to live in light of them? We understand, as Paul has said, that the righteous will live by faith. And that was said at the time of Abraham before any religious ritual, any particular good deeds he has done or the Mosaic Law had been given. We also explore in this session if the Law is sinful or wrong, in some way bad for us, because it does produce quite a lot of guilt for so many people, even some who are in Christ and do not understand the use of the Law.

Paul is right that it is faith from first to last that saves. After all, the righteous will live by faith. And the Law is not something to be brushed under the carpet and never needed. It is instead used by God powerfully to identify our need for Jesus. The Law is like a checklist for those who are going to heaven. And sadly in our case, none of us have lived up to the standard of the Law. This should cause anyone outside of Christ a great amount of turmoil, even fear, not for fear’s sake, nor that the Law or the commands are bad, but that it would be used by God that they would run to Jesus instead of remaining in sin and ready to face the consequences of God’s justice. It is wonderful once we understand this, and to know that the Law is not there to condemn or judge a Christian, as we are free from all accusations, but instead, the Law is used to bring people to Jesus. In addition, it is a daily reminder for Christians of the love of God and the great cost to Jesus in order to save us. As Paul said, we should not live a life of sin but live according to the Spirit, no longer by the flesh. Our relationship to the Law is one by which we are not bound to it. We are free from it but we should use it in a way to draw people to their need for Christ as much as it holds us to Christ, knowing that without Him, we would be under the penalty and judgment that the Law brings because of our sin. We pray that this message will be a blessing to you and your family.