SHORT NOTE ON THE LAW

In Deut. 28, God promised to bless us IF we obey EVERYTHING that is written in the law (verses 2-14). But later in the same chapter, even more than the blessings, curses upon curses were pronounced as what will befall us IF we do not obey EVERYTHING written in the law (verses 15-68). Cf. James 2:10.

We just take this at face value to keep the laws being unaware of what and who we are.

In Rom. 7, Paul confessed how he struggled to do good, but the more he tried, the more he realized he lacked and unable. He finally confessed in chap. 24 that he’s wretched. 

The law is holy, just and good while our nature is sin, wretched and dirty; a sharp contrast to the nature of the law (Rom 7:12). Only holy things can keep the law, which is not our natural image.

Moreover, Isaiah 64:6 refers to our righteous deeds as filthy rags. Rags are in themselves not clean. But here, our righteous deeds are compared to filthy rags thus revealing the gravity of our good/righteous deeds. What hope do we have then? Choosing to keep the law is just a suicide mission, even worse- a curse. Gal 3:10.

Why then the law? It is to reveal our sin image/nature, as described in the previous paragraphs. It is dirty, wretched, full of sin and there is nothing good in us (Rom. 3:10-18). The aims of the law are presented in Rom.3:19, Rom 5:20 and finally, the law leads us to Jesus, who, then justifies us thus, making us holy, righteous, and perfect as God.

Besides, only faith pleases God (Heb 11:6) but the law is not faith (Gal. 3:12). Even the law makes nothing perfect – Heb 7:19. The law reveals our true nature and condemns us. It’s like a tool to make us guilty before God.

This is why God decided not to judge us by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ – Gal 2:16, Rom 3:28, Ephe 2:8-9, etc. The law is made a curse to us, let us give up as Paul did. Rather, let’s cling unto Jesus with faith.

Let's keep hope alive!