Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, [9] understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, [10] the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, [11] in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Tim. 1:8-11 (ESV)
Of all Christian doctrines, the doctrine of the Law is perhaps the most misunderstood (well, there is one that people confuse even more and that is the scope of Christ’s salvation). With respect to the Law, however, virtually every church and denomination understands it differently. Teachings range from one of utter lawlessness by those who claim that Christ abolished the Law and is therefore irrelevant to those who claim that all, or almost all, of the Old Testament laws still bind even Christians. But, what is the real truth concerning the Law?
Notice Paul’s distinction: “The law is good if one uses it lawfully.” The converse of this statement is “the law is not good if one uses it unlawfully.” Then Paul sets forth two categories of people, the just and the unjust. To be just is to be righteous. Other translations, in fact, use that word. But, instead of using the word unjust, Paul defines those people instead. He says they are lawless and disobedient, ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and those who practice whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine. Paul says the Law is for them, not for the just. Why?
People who act in these evil ways described by Paul need the Law because it is the Law, and the Law alone, that can ever convict them of sin. If the Law did not exist, or if Christ aboloished the Law, then no one would have any sin, not even the worst imaginable sinner. In fact, there could be no sinners because there would be no sin. Only the Law defines sin. Thus Paul says the Law can be used lawfully by applying it to those who practice sin. We must understand the importance of this. If a person is not convicted of sin, he can never repent. If he never repents, he can never begin to practice righteousness and walk with God.
The reason that sin runs rampant today throughout the world and especially in America is because Christians first, then politicians, threw away God’s Law. Today, therefore, no standard exists in the mind of men by which they can call evil truly evil. Instead we witness continual clamoring by sinners for the legal right to practice evil. And, a vast sea of Christians acquiesce to and even help fight for these perverted rights. Even major Christian leaders help their agenda or actually take part in their wicked behavior.
Thus the wold today walks in darkness without any comprehension of knowledge and truth. En mass most men discarded the one thing that embodies knowledge and truth, THE LAW.
