What other scriptures reinforce the law's role as described in 1 Timothy 1:9? Remember the Context “ We realize that the law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father and mother, for murderers ” (1 Timothy 1:9). The Law Unmasks Sin • Romans 3:19-20 — “Whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced… For the Law merely brings awareness of sin.” • Romans 7:7, 12-13 — “I would not have been aware of sin if it were not for the Law… So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” • 1 John 3:4 — “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well, for sin is lawlessness.” The thread is clear: the Law functions like a moral mirror, exposing thoughts and behaviors that violate God’s standard. The Law Restrains Wickedness • Romans 13:3-4 — “Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad… He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” • Deuteronomy 19:20-21 — “The rest will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do such an evil thing among you.” Civil and ceremonial applications differ, yet the principle remains: divine legislation checks open rebellion so society does not descend into chaos. The Law Drives Us to Christ • Galatians 3:19 — “Why then was the Law given? It was added on account of transgressions until the Seed… ” • Galatians 3:24 — “The Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” • Romans 8:3-4 — “What the Law was powerless to do… God did by sending His own Son… so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us.” Once the Law exposes sin and restrains evil, it ushers the sinner to the Savior who alone fulfills it. What the Law Cannot Do • Acts 13:38-39 — “Through Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed… through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses.” • Hebrews 7:18-19 — “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the Law perfected nothing).” The Law pinpoints the tumor of sin, but only Christ performs the surgery. Living on This Side of the Cross • Matthew 5:17 — “I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them.” • Romans 6:14 — “Sin shall not be your master, for you are not under Law but under grace.” • Ezekiel 36:26-27 — “I will give you a new heart… and cause you to walk in My statutes.” Grace does not dismantle God’s moral order; instead, the Spirit internalizes it within believers. Key Takeaways – 1 Timothy 1:9 highlights the Law’s purpose: confronting the unrighteous, not condemning the righteous who walk by faith. – Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews uniformly teach that the Law exposes, restrains, and points beyond itself to Christ. – For believers, the Law’s condemnation is lifted, yet its moral vision is written on renewed hearts by the Spirit. |
    |