Lesson 6 for May 10, 2014

“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”” (Romans 7:7) The law defines sin. If the law didn’t exist, we couldn’t know what is right and what is wrong. We couldn’t tell we were sinning or not. That’s why the law can condemn us. It makes our sin clear to us; and “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Paul said that “the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)

“and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39) The law defines sin, but it cannot forgive it. The law cannot turn a sinner into a righteous person. So God devised a plan to save humankind from sin: Jesus’ death. The law defines sin, but it cannot forgive it. The law cannot turn a sinner into a righteous person. So God devised a plan to save humankind from sin: Jesus’ death. “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3)

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)” (Galatians 3:13) We all are under the curse of the law: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We may perfectly keep the law from now on, but we could not be free from the curse of our past sins. We deserve death. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) How are Christ and the law related? Did Jesus abolish the law so we could overcome sin?

“The mediatorial work of Christ commenced with the commencement of human guilt and suffering and misery, as soon as man became a transgressor. The law was not abolished to save man and bring him into union with God. But Christ assumed the office of his surety and deliverer in becoming sin for man, that man might become the righteousness of God in and through Him who was one with the Father. Sinners can be justified by God only when he pardons their sins, remits the punishment they deserve, and treats them as though they were really just and had not sinned, receiving them into divine favor and treating them as if they were righteous. They are justified alone through the imputed righteousness of Christ. The Father accepts the Son, and through the atoning sacrifice of his Son accepts the sinner.” EGW (Selected Messages, vol. 3, cp. 22, pg. 194)

“Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.” (Romans 7:4)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) What is the law of the Spirit that makes me free from the law of sin and death? The law is not different, but the relationship between the believer and the law is, after his or her conversion. The same law that was death when I was “in the flesh” (Ro. 8:8) is now “law of the Spirit of life” because I am “in the Spirit.” (Ro. 8:9) If I live in Christ, I will be glad to fulfill His law by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because “the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” (Ro. 7:12) “When the Spirit of God reveals to man the full meaning of the law, a change takes place in his heart.” EGW (Selected Messages, vol. 1, cp. 26, pg. 212)

In summary, the death of Jesus powerfully demonstrated the permanence of God’s law. When our first parents sinned, God could have abolished His laws and taken away the penalties for violation. However, this would have meant a miserable existence in a lawless society for the earth’s inhabitants. Instead, God chose to send His Son as a Substitute for us, in that He received the just penalty for sin as required by the law on behalf of all people. Through Jesus’ death, the entire race stands in a new relationship to God. This means that any one of us, through faith in Jesus, can have our sins forgiven and stand perfect in God’s sight. Keith Burton (Sabbath School Quarterly, Friday’s section)