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The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The law of God serves a critical role in illuminating sin, revealing its true nature to humanity. It does not give life, for life comes from that which is already living, but its purpose is to show what sin is, making us aware of our wrongdoings. The law does not provoke or stimulate sin; rather, it helps us understand sin more thoroughly without inspiring us to sin more frequently. Carnal reasoning often misinterprets this, leading to the false conclusion that the law itself is a burden or a yoke of bondage, thus rejecting it as something to be done away with. In truth, the law stands as a holy, just, good, and spiritual guide, ordained to life, contrasting sharply with sin, which brings death. God's laws, rooted in love and concern, are not unkind or merely constrictive; they reflect His righteousness and provide the means by which He reveals His will for an orderly and safe conduct of life. Carnal minds, swayed by enmity against God, resist this revelation, showing their opposition through disobedience to His laws, even while claiming affection for Him. Thus, the law remains essential, exposing sin and guiding us toward righteousness within God's purpose.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fourteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The law of God remains a vital component of the New Covenant, designed to be written in our hearts through obedience, forgiveness, the receipt of God's Spirit, Christ's intercession, and access to God's presence. This law serves as a guide for living right now, preparing us for Christ's return or our death, whichever comes first. It is not merely a device to save people, but to prepare them to live and function in God's Kingdom and Family. The law illuminates sin, revealing our true nature and depravity. Without it, pride would rule, and no one would be humbled to walk before God. It must be preached so that a person might see himself as he really is, not as he vainly imagines himself to be. Through the law, we are brought to conviction of sin, understanding our errors and secret faults that pollute us, so we might be cleansed with the help of God's Spirit from the inside out. As David expressed, the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, reviving, restoring, and turning a person from sin to holiness of life. It throws light on our duties and the consequences of disobedience, ensuring we do not wander from the path of righteousness.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Seventeen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The law serves a crucial purpose in revealing sin and defining right and wrong. It acts as a guide, showing us our duty and highlighting where we fall short. By the law comes the knowledge of sin, making us aware of the disparity between what we are and what we ought to be. This awareness, when approached with the right attitude, fosters shame and guilt, which in turn lead to humility and repentance. The law aids in developing a proper conscience, awakening a clear understanding of right and wrong that is not swayed by cultural norms but rooted in God's standard. It is not merely a written code but a reflection of a living, holy, and powerful Personality, against whose immeasurable holiness our conduct is measured. Sin, therefore, is not just a transgression of a commandment but a personal disobedience against Him, damaging our relationship with Him. The law's purpose is not to transform or justify us, as no amount of law-keeping can undo past wrongs, but to point us toward the need for a new motive and power to overcome sin, which comes through recognizing the Personality behind the law and His purpose for us.

God's Law Is Eternal

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God's law serves as a vital guide for moral and spiritual conduct, revealing the standards by which His people are to live. It is not merely a set of rules but a permanent, perpetual, and eternal framework that illuminates the nature of sin. As expressed in Romans 3:20, by the law comes the knowledge of sin, showing humanity their shortcomings and deviations from righteousness. The law acts as a mirror, exposing spots and blemishes, making clear the corruptness and sinfulness that reside within. This illuminating function of the law is crucial, as it underscores human imperfection and the impossibility of achieving salvation through works alone. Galatians 3:22-26 describes the law as a tutor, guiding individuals to Christ by confining all under sin, so that salvation may come through faith. It reveals the hopelessness of human efforts apart from Jesus Christ, directing believers to seek grace rather than rely on their own deeds. The law's role in defining sin remains undiminished, for to alter or abolish it would remove the standard by which sin is recognized. Without this perfect measure, there is no conviction or conversion, as lowering the law dims the light by which guilt is perceived. Thus, God's law stands as an eternal beacon, perpetually revealing the need for redemption and guiding His people toward righteousness through faith in Christ.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The law plays an essential role by revealing sin to those who encounter it, making individuals aware of their transgression and the resulting death penalty that hangs over them. Without this revelation a person cannot recognize the need for repentance, since the standard of right conduct remains hidden and no clear path forward exists. Paul experienced this illumination personally, as the law brought sin to life in his understanding and showed him to be under condemnation, prompting his repentance even though forgiveness came only later through the application of Christ's sacrifice. In this way the law functions as a necessary diagnostic instrument rather than a source of life or justification. It exposes guilt so that the sinner may turn to God, receive the imputed righteousness of Christ, and then live by the faith of the Son of God. Once justification occurs, the same law continues to guide conduct, demonstrating the character of God and providing the concrete expression of love toward both God and neighbor that the indwelling Spirit produces. Thus the law's capacity to illuminate sin serves the larger purpose of preparing people for God's Kingdom by leading them to repentance, grounding them in grace, and shaping their ongoing obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than through human effort alone.

Repentance

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

In mainstream Protestantism, repentance has fallen out of favor, yet it is mentioned far more in the New Testament than in the Old Testament.