Category: Devotions

The Giver of the law is the thrice holy God. Therefore, it is clear that the law given by a holy God, cannot be tainted with sin. It fact, the Apostle Paul tells us, God’s law is holy, just and good. It is void of the filth of sin. It is right and fair. It is good, a blessing to all who obey and live by it.

The Apostle Paul has been making it clear that man’s sad plight of falling into sin is due to his sinful nature. The law of God showed him his sinfulness. It arouses in him the understanding of the uncontrollable working of sin in his life. It is made him feel miserable by the knowledge his propensity and inclination to sin without recourse.

The Apostle Paul is sounding the warning of the deceitfulness of sin. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ is able to break the stranglehold of sin in a person’s life. When he repents of his sins and come to Jesus Christ, he finds forgiveness and cleansing. Thereafter, he is being given the power to reject the enticement of sin to live a holy life. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

The Apostle Paul discovered at a turning point in his spiritual journey that the commandments of God showed to him his inadequacy, his inability to meet the demands of the law. It slays him. Whereas in the past, by a superficial obedience, he thought he had met the requirements of the law but was stunned when he came to the realization that the commandment was meant to rebuke him of his sin. He drove him to receive Christ.

The Apostle Paul before his conversion did not truly understand the significance of the moral law. He thought he could keep the law and be saved by it. He was mistaken. After his conversion, he realized the law was given so that the sinful nature of man is aroused causing him to sin. The law, properly applied, was meant to expose one’s sinfulness. This would cause the person to realize his inability to be saved through keeping the law and come to Christ.

Man in the fallen state is unable to keep the commandments perfectly. In fact, the commandments rebuked him. It shows him how incapable he is to keep it when he makes a truthful assessment by God’s standard. Jesus did not introduce the Law to show the young man how to be saved but to show him that he needed to be saved. The Law is like a mirror that reveals who we are (James 1:22), sinners through and through before we are saved.

Truly, we see that one idol cherished in the heart may ruin a soul forever.

Jesus showed this young man his besetting sin and with his weak point exposed, he was vulnerable. He could not stand the test. Truly, Paul said rightly, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10) Bible reminds us of Judas Iscariot, Ananias and Sapphira who were judged by God because of the sin covetousness.

Having been freed from the condemnation of the law, from the bondage of sin, obeying the law is not out of servile fear but filial love. Life is lived with gladness in service to God through the help of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 100 depict well this life with God that enables the Christian to live in every area of life in worship to God.

By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer’s life, he brings forth spiritual fruit in his life. To serve in newness of spirit is to yield to ourselves to the mind of Christ through the diligent study of the Scripture through prayer. And it is my prayer that this begins in every Christian home. Piety begins in the home under the charge of every Christian parent.

When we come to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, He has by the finished work on the cross set us free from the bondage of sin. In the sight of God, we are free men. Sin no longer binds us. We have the power to say “no” to sin and bear spiritual fruit in our lives. This, the Christian, shall see in his life, as he abides in Christ. Amen.

The outworking of the commandments in the believer’s is described in his love for God and for his neighbour. There is reward forthcoming from Christ when He returns to reward His servants.