01.14

The Law Convicting the Rebellious "But we know that the law is good if one uses it
lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the
lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners. But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the law. (1 Timothy 1:8-9 and Galatians 5:18)"

Although the law has some God-given inabilities, it is nevertheless good. "Therefore the
law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12). It does have
certain abilities, "if one uses it lawfully." One unlawful application of the law would be
using it to obtain justification (a declaration of being righteous in God's sight). If
anyone ever infers that attempted obedience to the law of God could potentially secure an
overall verdict of "not guilty," that would be biblically forbidden.

Another unlawful application of God's law would be using it to obtain sanctification
(progressive spiritual growth in the Lord). If a person imagines that they could grow in
godliness by their best attempts at living up to the law, that, too, would be prohibited
by God's word.

The law is "for the lawless and insubordinate." The law of God is for those who are
rebellious at heart against the will and the ways of God. This truth, in its basic
interpretation, is directed toward unbelievers, "for the ungodly and for sinners." Herein
we see that the law of God is able to convict unbelieving rebels of their defiance against
a holy God.

However, by implication, there is an insight for believers here as well. As far as God is
concerned, we are "not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). Yet, only those who walk
according to the Spirit fully enjoy the daily blessings of that reality. "But if you are
led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." When followers of the Lord Jesus walk
according to the flesh, they practically place themselves under a performance code. They
put themselves under the law for practical day by day living. The message of the law,
which is for the rebellious, also has the capacity to expose this unacceptable condition
within the life of a self-sufficient believer.

"Dear God of all Grace, I confess that I formerly lived in lawless rebellion against You.
Lord, Your Holy Spirit convicted me of my self-righteous defiance against Your holy law.
By Your grace You justified me, as I cried out in faith to Your Son. Lord, now I earnestly
ask You to convict me of those times when I attempt to live by the self-righteous
resources of my own flesh. Lord, I need to be sanctified daily by Your grace, even as You
previously justified me by Your grace. I praise You that such a work is abundantly
available through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."