A Godly Tutor
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 7:7b (NKJV)
As a new Christian I had so much to learn. Because I came to faith in my thirties, I had a lot of bad habits to get rid of. I was grateful that the Lord seemed to just miraculously take my foul language out of my mouth.
Running an errand for a church event with my Pastor’s wife, I used a word that she did not think was appropriate for a Christian.
With a great deal of grace she simply said, “I know what you mean but I wouldn’t use that word to describe it.” She held up a righteous rule to my unrighteous word and I saw it. I was convicted and stopped using that word.
I had heard the word my whole life. As a child I was not allowed to use it but as an adult, it was part of the common language of my friends and co-workers.
Much earlier than this the Lord Himself had been revealing other sins to me. He started with “all have sinned.” I understood that “I” was a part of the “all.” In pride, I challenged Him to show me. He did. Over and over again.
It is true that if a person never sees their sin, they will never see their need for a Savior. In our Christian culture we hate the words sin and law. But if it were not for the Law of God, Paul tells us we would not have seen our sin. Neither would we have seen our need for Christ.
In Galatians 3:24-25 Paul says, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
In our conversations with one another, in our attempts at evangelism, even in our everyday prayers the acknowledgement of sin and the law are essential to the Christian faith. The Bible clearly teaches us to confess and repent of our sin. Even after we are God’s children, our sinful ways are sin against the Almighty God.
We want His blessing. We want Him to enact the “wonderful plan He has for our lives” that we hear so much about. We want Him to love us unconditionally as so many have said He will.
But, as long as we want and hold onto our sin, He will not bless us. His Word says that His condition for blessing is obedience (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).
In His grace, our compassionate Father does not reveal all of our sin at once! That would be overwhelming. As He does reveal it, He expects us to turn from it.
Renewing our minds through the study of God’s Word and fellowship with His people will help us to see it when He exposes our sin. James tells us to confess to one another and pray for one another (James 5:16).
Christian, do not fear the Law of God as it reveals our sin. When talking to unbelievers use the Law of God so that the Lord might graciously show them their need for a Savior.
The Law of God is a powerful tool. How can you and I overcome our fear of using it? (Hebrews 4:12)
You are right. The Law of God is a powerful tool. We must share time with Him through prayer and worship. The more we are with Him, the more comfort we are provided.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Melissa.
Thanks for this relevent blog! I was not raised in the church either and finding my way as a young Christian in my twenties meant undoing a lifetime of sinful habits. We often see the law, even God’s moral law, as restrictive. Nothing could be further from the truth! Like a loving parent, he gives us a plumb line, not to kill our joy, but because he loves us and Father knows best.
Thank you, Candice, And, Amen! He is the Joy Giver!
Such truth – graciously presented!
Thank you Ava, I want to be a woman of grace. I doon’t always hit the mark!
Thanks Ava, I want ot be a woman of grace but know there I times when I don’t hit the mark.
Beth, I totally agree that we must get into God’s Word and become familiar with what he is expecting for us and from us. For as you refer to Romans 7:7b, we cannot know whether we have sinned or not unless we know the law. And thank God for his abundant grace and mercy! Because when we sin, confess and repent he so graciously forgives and we can start anew!
You have such a kind and gentle way of presenting the truth. I’m thankful for God’s patience with me all these years. I turned my life over to God as a child and I’ve never turned away from Him, but I have disobeyed more times than I can tell. He strives with me until I finally get it. His lovingkindness toward me does not end.
So important to take note of what God says and expects of us. Thank you for your insightful view.
Thank you Anneliese, When I look back and see that same set of circumstances – my sin and His patience – I see the wonderful gift He offers!
Thank you, Ava, for reading and commenting.
Thank you for this post!
Thank you, Julie, for reading it and commenting.
Hmm.. that’s a hard question for me. I grew up in the opposite – a very religious, condemnation filled, no mercy household.
So the law had somewhat of a vs 8 effect on me “But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.” – It made me angry b/c there was no grace, no consideration for the whole person, no love.
I mostly use the law as an opportunity to remind myself and others of God’s grace. How grateful I am that I don’t have to earn salvation and couldn’t even if I tried. It points out to me how much God loves me that He sees how far I am from perfection and loves me where I am because He cares more about relationship. And it shows me how holy Christ is – who never broke a single law.
I love how full of mercy & gentleness your pastor’s wife was. I will try to remember that phrasing when correcting others. 🙂
Such important truth, Beth! Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you!
Great post. I am grateful God has opened my eyes to my past (and current!) sins, both via His holy word and through other Christians I’ve come to know. God knows what’s best for me.
Such a great post! Jesus said that those who love Me will obey my commands. This is so unpopular right now. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Michelle, I appreciate the encouragement!
Yes, Jessica, He does know! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks Lisa, Your encouragement is my blessing!
Christina, I never had that condemnation but can only imagine what it does to the soul of a child. God does love us where we are – but He says He wants us more and more conformed to the image of Christ – who had compassion on the people who were like sheep without a Shepherd.
I, too, am grateful for the women the Lord put in my path who led me without killing my spirit! May we all do the same.
Blessings!
God will give us courage to be bold if we ask. Great post. God bless!
Thanks Nancy!
We want all the blessings from God but refuse to let go of the sin……that’s a great (and terrible) statement! I need to be always looking to what I’m still holding onto that’s keeping me from growing closer to Jesus.
Paul, AMEN. We all do!
Amen, Anne! Mercies that are new every morning! It’s that confess and repent that many of us want to resist. Thanks for reading and commenting.