“For by the law is the knowledge of sin” Romans 3:20
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24
God’s law convicts the sinner of his guilt, and thus his or her need of salvation by grace. It is not possible to understand the need for grace without the conviction of sin and the condemnation thereof. To just apply the law without the availability of salvation by grace, would leave one hopelessly lost.
Matthew 9:12 – “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” It is only when people realize that they have a problem, does the solution for the problem become meaningful. Romans 5:20 – “Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Where the law has not entered, then the offence of sin is not comprehended for conviction unto repentance, and thus the provision of grace is not fully realized.
The Holy Spirit uses the law of God to convict the sinner of his or her sin unto a godly sorrow over sin, because by the law is the knowledge of sin. Only when one is convicted by the Holy Spirit using the law to reveal one’s sin condition and sin, will this godly sorrow be present to work repentance unto salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
BEWARE! of that which claims to champion grace, while denying the law on every turn, saying it has no place since we are under grace. Thus, there is a refusal on the part of some to teach and proclaim the principles of the law as being the true doctrine on sin and righteousness.
Can a person really seek and obtain forgiveness and salvation if they are not convicted by the law of the knowledge of sin? Can a person really understand grace without first realizing what grace is the remedy for? Will grace abound where there is no understanding or knowledge of sin abounding? To preach grace without preaching the law is to omit what will bring the sinner to real repentance unto salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can realize no more of grace than we realize our sin condition.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
SHARING
