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We hear (and see) much about "law" today. This is an enigma in a sense because there seems to be so much lack of lawfulness. One would think that with so many allusions and so much exposure to the word, there would be lawfulness Unfortunately this is not the case. The law seems powerless to make society lawful.

With all law there is a flaw (no pun or poetry intended)! The evidence for this is overwhelming!

There is an great deal in the Bible about law - especially in the Old Testament, and in reference to Israel in particular. Most Christians are at least generally familiar with "the law" in this context. However, when we come to the New Testament, there has been historically much disagreement and confusion. Most of this was (and is) centered around the Ten Commandments which are often presented as having been "done away", or as an opposite, as being just good principles to live by.

There is also MUCH said in the New Testament concerning the Law. The Law is referred to in a very negative (seemingly) sense by he Apostle Paul as the "strength of sin" (1 Corinthians 15:56). This operates on many levels. Rigid adherence to the Law can lead to a life of pretense and hypocrisy, leading to an environment of outward show and emphasis on appearance only, and wearing of "masks". Living by an outward creed makes life simpler however. It can enable us to keep God in our "box", or taken to the extreme, allow us to be our own god. For some, their self-god may be respect - for others and themselves, personal pride, etc. For others their honesty is their god.- or a hundred other "gods". This enables them to live their lives by sight, and not "by faith"! If this does not make the good life, at least it can make it simpler. (Hebrews 7:19) But - the Law makes NOTHING perfect!(Hebrew 7:19)! Much more is said along this line in the New Testament.

After all this, is the Law good for anything? Is there any USE for it?

I recall hearing a radio evangelist a number of years ago who was urging Christians and church leaders to start USING the Law - that part of the Law known as the Ten Commandments in particular. His reference was the Apostle Paul - the one often quoted as an opponent of the Law - and quoted 1 Timothy 1:5-11.His point of his appeal was that we are living in an increasingly "unchristian" and Godless society. Generations have been born who have no frame of reference about Jesus Christ (except in profanity), and God in any form. Evangelism is so often fruitless because there is no starting point. When they are told (IF there are told) to repent, their first response is "OF WHAT" And " believe in Jesus" is met with "who’s he"! They must be educated about basic right and wrong (often their consciences have become seared by a variety of influences), who God IS, who Jesus IS, before gaining their attention about the very basics that prior generations just grew up with.

But they didn’t grow up with it! And with very little to appeal to, along with so many diversions, Newageism, Postmodernism, and an almost endless aray of God-less influences, plus a much deluted Christianity, they are very difficult to reach with the truth. The truth of who God IS, and that humanity is held responsible to an almighty Creator just does not get through. Basic morality is strange at best, and absurd at worst. Legalism (not understanding the function of the Law - Galatians 3:23-24)) was once a very large problem and danger for Christianity. Now, Liberalism (no Law) has in large measure replaced it. That was then. This is now. Things change.

By using the Law in this way, a foundation can be laid, to build the plan of salvation upon, in witnessing in today's world - the Law is being used ‘LAWFULLY"...(Romans 3:20) There are other "lawful" uses for the Law. Perhaps the primary ones for true Christians is that it enhances our consciences, serves as our spiritual "checkup", and used by the Holy Spirit to keep us sensitive to His presence and leading. And - perhaps most important, used by our Lord to keep us headed in the right direction UNTIL A PERMANENT CHANGE CAN BE CREATED IN US by the Holy Spirit. It is the mind of a holy God. Oh how holy, mighty, and wise is our God!

No amount of "law keeping" can make us righteous, or earn us salvation and eternal life - that's the "FLAW". May we make clear the "flaw". Also let us "USE THE LAW" as God would have us use it. Let us use it LAWFULLY - in witnessing to a Godless, Christless, LAWLESS, and dying world. May it turn many, who are without proper understanding, to Jesus for eternal life! Our using the "Law lawfully" may be the only hope for many in our modern world!...(Hosea 4:6)

We hear (and see) much about "law" today. This is an enigma in a sense because there seems to be so much lack of lawfulness. One would think that with so many allusions and so much exposure to the word, there would be lawfulness Unfortunately this is not the case. The law seems powerless to make society lawful.

With all law there is a flaw (no pun or poetry intended)! The evidence for this is overwhelming!

There is an great deal in the Bible about law - especially in the Old Testament, and in reference to Israel in particular. Most Christians are at least generally familiar with "the law" in this context. However, when we come to the New Testament, there has been historically much disagreement and confusion. Most of this was (and is) centered around the Ten Commandments which are often presented as having been "done away", or as an opposite, as being just good principles to live by.

There is also MUCH said in the New Testament concerning the Law. The Law is referred to in a very negative (seemingly) sense by he Apostle Paul as the "strength of sin" (1 Corinthians 15:56). This operates on many levels. Rigid adherence to the Law can lead to a life of pretense and hypocrisy, leading to an environment of outward show and emphasis on appearance only, and wearing of "masks". Living by an outward creed makes life simpler however. It can enable us to keep God in our "box", or taken to the extreme, allow us to be our own god. For some, their self-god may be respect - for others and themselves, personal pride, etc. For others their honesty is their god.- or a hundred other "gods". This enables them to live their lives by sight, and not "by faith"! If this does not make the good life, at least it can make it simpler. (Hebrews 7:19) But - the Law makes NOTHING perfect!(Hebrew 7:19)! Much more is said along this line in the New Testament.

After all this, is the Law good for anything? Is there any USE for it?

I recall hearing a radio evangelist a number of years ago who was urging Christians and church leaders to start USING the Law - that part of the Law known as the Ten Commandments in particular. His reference was the Apostle Paul - the one often quoted as an opponent of the Law - and quoted 1 Timothy 1:5-11.His point of his appeal was that we are living in an increasingly "unchristian" and Godless society. Generations have been born who have no frame of reference about Jesus Christ (except in profanity), and God in any form. Evangelism is so often fruitless because there is no starting point. When they are told (IF there are told) to repent, their first response is "OF WHAT" And " believe in Jesus" is met with "who’s he"! They must be educated about basic right and wrong (often their consciences have become seared by a variety of influences), who God IS, who Jesus IS, before gaining their attention about the very basics that prior generations just grew up with.

But they didn’t grow up with it! And with very little to appeal to, along with so many diversions, Newageism, Postmodernism, and an almost endless aray of God-less influences, plus a much deluted Christianity, they are very difficult to reach with the truth. The truth of who God IS, and that humanity is held responsible to an almighty Creator just does not get through. Basic morality is strange at best, and absurd at worst. Legalism (not understanding the function of the Law - Galatians 3:23-24)) was once a very large problem and danger for Christianity. Now, Liberalism (no Law) has in large measure replaced it. That was then. This is now. Things change.

By using the Law in this way, a foundation can be laid, to build the plan of salvation upon, in witnessing in today's world - the Law is being used ‘LAWFULLY"...(Romans 3:20) There are other "lawful" uses for the Law. Perhaps the primary ones for true Christians is that it enhances our consciences, serves as our spiritual "checkup", and used by the Holy Spirit to keep us sensitive to His presence and leading. And - perhaps most important, used by our Lord to keep us headed in the right direction UNTIL A PERMANENT CHANGE CAN BE CREATED IN US by the Holy Spirit. It is the mind of a holy God. Oh how holy, mighty, and wise is our God!

No amount of "law keeping" can make us righteous, or earn us salvation and eternal life - that's the "FLAW". May we make clear the "flaw". Also let us "USE THE LAW" as God would have us use it. Let us use it LAWFULLY - in witnessing to a Godless, Christless, LAWLESS, and dying world. May it turn many, who are without proper understanding, to Jesus for eternal life! The Law was, has been, always will be our guide and roadmap that leads us to faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life Our using the "Law lawfully" may be the only hope for many in our modern world!...(Hosea 4:6)

"Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:24-28 (NET)

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

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