Practical Application Questions
- Where are you trying to earn God’s favor by following rules instead of trusting in what Jesus has already done? What daily or weekly habits help you keep your focus on what Jesus has done?
- How does knowing that God’s promise depends entirely on Jesus change your security and assurance of acceptance with Him?
- How does seeing the law as a guide that points to Jesus keep you from self-righteousness or losing hope?
- Are there subtle ways or reasons you keep certain people at a distance based on their background, status, or culture? How can you move from just tolerating people who are different from you to genuinely enjoying diversity in the church?
QUOTES
“The Law says, ‘Do this and it is never done!’ Grace says, ‘Believe in this, and everything is done.’” Martin Luther
“The Law and Gospel are two keys. The law is the key that shuts all men up under condemnation. The gospel is the key that opens the door and lets them out.” William Tyndale
“Not until the law has bruised and smitten us will we admit our need of the gospel to bind up our wounds” John Stott
“The Law drove us, but the Gospel draws us. The Law came behind us with its dog and stick as our drovers do from the cattle markets. But the Gospel goes before us as the Eastern shepherd before his sheep, and we cheerfully follow where the Gospel leads the way.” Charles H. Spurgeon
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 1:1–2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 19:7–9
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
Romans 7:12
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.