The Important Truth You Need to Know About the Law and Gospel

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Have you noticed culture is trying to eliminate the word “sin” from the public forum?

There appears to be an effort to remove the idea of an absolute religious or moral law; therefore, making it possible for everyone to determine for themselves what is right or wrong. And many Christians avoid talking about sin for fear of offending someone.

But Paul, who may have touched more lives for the cause of Christ than any of His fellow followers, wrote:

The trouble is not with the law . . . the trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.

Romans 7:14

The impact of Paul’s ministry during his lifetime is impossible to overstate, and the Holy Spirit, 2,000 years later, is still using Paul’s writings to win souls for the Kingdom for all eternity. His words continue to encourage Christians like you and me in our faith every single day.

And maybe one of the reasons is because Paul was honest about revealing that he had many of the same struggles we do.

One of the best encouragements Rev says he ever received was the time a very dear friend and mentor walked up to him and said, “one of the reasons we love you is because you don’t preach at us . . . you’re one of us.”

People don’t need to see Christians are perfect, they need to know we trust and follow God who forgives us and loves us. They need, we all need, the Law and the Gospel.

I believe Paul blessed us by telling us about his struggle with sin. He wanted us to know without a shadow of a doubt that:

1. Knowledge of the rules won’t save us. (Because they won’t.)
2. Determination to follow the rules won’t save us. (Because we can’t.)
3. Becoming a Christian does not keep us from being tempted nor does it keep us from sinning. (Because we are sinful by nature.)

We must recognize our sin and fully depend on Jesus. We need the Law and the Gospel

And that’s why, I believe, he wrote:

I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Romans 7:22–25a

A Prayer to Fully Trust the Gospel of Jesus
because We Know the Truth of the Law

Father, thank you for the humble honesty of people like the Apostle Paul. Thank you for making it possible for us to know that our struggle with sin does not keep us from Your saving grace. Thank you for the Law and the Gospel.

I love You. I believe Your laws (Your commands) were given out of love to make our lives safer, healthier, and happier. Yet, I still foolishly and pridefully go my own way. I fail to do the things you want me to do and I do the things you don’t want me to do. I am so sorry. Please forgive me.

Thank you for the Good News Gospel message that I can be forgiven . . . given freedom and life through all that Christ Jesus my Lord has done for me. Because of Your love through Jesus, I have the Spirit’s truth and the blessing of Your forgiveness that lasts for all eternity.

Please be with me and strengthen me to fight temptation with the truth of Your Word. And may I faithfully turn to Jesus to help me and heal me when I fail. It’s in His name I pray. Amen.

Friend, you and I need to know God’s Law because it is only by knowing that we are slaves to the sin within us that we know our need for His Gospel . . . the Good News of God’s grace and mercy through Jesus.

Yes, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord.

On today’s note write:

Praise God for loving us enough to give us both the Law and the Gospel.

May God bless you today and give you the courage to admit your struggle with sin so that you might celebrate the gift of grace you have through Christ.

Click here to read the rest of Romans 7.

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