In what ways can we uphold the law as "holy, righteous, and good"? The Law: God’s Own Character in Words “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” (Romans 7:12) • Psalm 19:7 declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul,” because it mirrors His perfection. • 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that every word of Scripture is “God-breathed,” therefore entirely trustworthy. Why the Law Still Matters under Grace • Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17–18). • Faith in Christ does not nullify the law; “instead, we uphold the law” (Romans 3:31). • The Spirit writes the law on believing hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:27), empowering obedience from within. Practical Ways We Uphold the Law as Holy, Righteous, and Good 1. Yield to Christ’s Fulfillment – Trust His perfect obedience credited to us (Romans 5:19). – Let gratitude for His sacrifice move us toward holy living (Romans 6:13). 2. Walk by the Spirit – The Spirit “causes” us to walk in God’s statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). – “The fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–23) aligns daily conduct with the law’s moral core. 3. Love God and Neighbor – “Love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:14). – Cultivate love in action—generosity, honesty, sexual purity, truth-telling—each command flows from genuine love. 4. Delight in and Meditate on Scripture – Like the psalmist: “Oh, how I love Your law!” (Psalm 119:97). – Regular reading, memorizing, and singing Scripture keeps the heart warmed to its goodness. 5. Teach the Law Rightly – “The law is good, if one uses it legitimately” (1 Timothy 1:8). – Present it as God’s moral standard, a mirror revealing sin (Romans 3:20) and a tutor leading to Christ (Galatians 3:24). 6. Use the Law Evangelistically – Unbelievers see their need for a Savior when the commandments expose guilt. – Then the gospel offers the righteousness the law requires but we could never achieve. 7. Reject Both Legalism and Lawlessness – Legalism: pursuing righteousness by rule-keeping alone (Galatians 2:16). – Lawlessness: turning grace into a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2). – True obedience springs from faith-energized love (1 John 5:3). 8. Defend the Moral Order in Society – Speak for the sanctity of life, marriage, and truth; the commandments protect human flourishing. – Civil engagement testifies that God’s standards remain “holy, righteous, and good” for every culture. 9. Model Integrity in Daily Life – Keep commitments, pay debts, honor parents, guard speech, flee covetousness. – Visible obedience “adorns the doctrine of God” (Titus 2:10) and invites others to glorify Him (1 Peter 2:12). Living It Out Today • Start each day with a portion of Scripture; ask, “What does this reveal about God’s holiness?” • When temptation strikes, recall the specific commandment involved and the Spirit’s power to obey. • Celebrate Christ’s finished work at the cross—the only secure foundation for gladly upholding a law that remains forever holy, righteous, and good. |
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