(Did you receive the Spirit) … by the works of the law …?
Summary: The “works of the law” are intended to show us our need for God, not answer that need.
Do you have the Spirit of God in you? That was our question in the last meditation. Assuming the answer is “Yes,” the question Paul asks next is, “How?” How did God’s Spirit get in you?
Paul gives us two choices to consider. The first choice is the “works of the law.” Paul’s second choice is “believing what [we] heard.”
Let’s talk about the “works of the law.”
In my mind, the “works of the law” fall into several basic categories. First and foremost are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). These ten commands describe the basic principles of all the laws that follow. They tell us what God wants us to do (worship him), and what not to do (anything that harms another person).
Jesus sums these commandments up in what is called the Greatest Commandments. When asked, “[W]hich is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22: 36), Jesus replied:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Putting aside all the derivative laws and rules that followed, let’s look at the two “Greatest Commands.”
How does loving God above all else and your neighbor as yourself get God’s Spirit in you? Interestingly, if you or I could fulfill this command, we would not need God’s Spirit. To love God with all our heart and our neighbor … all of our neighbors! … as we love ourselves would be God-like. If we could do those two things, we wouldn’t need God’s Spirit because we would be doing exactly what God’s Spirit wanted us to do.
In all of human history, only one person was able to comply with God’s commands; Jesus. Jesus loved God above all else, including his own life. He loved us, too, more than his own life.
For the rest of us, we are left with the emptiness that failing to comply with the Law brings. In our case, the Law highlights our shortcomings. It does not bring us God’s Spirit.
Application: The Spirit of God will help us follow God’s Law, but the Law alone can never give us God’s Spirit.
Food for Thought: How does knowing God’s Law help us to appreciate God?
By knowing God’s Law we realize we are sinners who need salvation. The Law points to our need and enables us to see our need to truly appreciate what Jesus did on the cross on our behalf.
Romans 3: 19 – 28: Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness is given through faith in h Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Rich,
Thank you for pointing us to the Romans 3 passage. Paul addresses the question as only Paul can. 🙂
I think Rich really answered the question well. I agree that knowing the law means knowing we fall short of it, and we appreciate the sacrifice of Christ.
Appreciate though just doesn’t seem like the correct word. Knowing the law, knowing we fall short, knowing that Christ paid for our sins, brings freedom to turn from sin. In turning from sin, we turn, not just because “it is against the rules,” but because we recognize that it is against the will of God to sin, and that sin separates us from His Spirit. It empowers us to choose God over ourselves. To me, that is one of the most powerful realizations of His grace. That in His grace we are presented again and again the opportunity to choose Him, and the reward for choosing Him is a closer relationship with Him. What could be perceived as “given up” pales in comparison for what He offers in return.
Thanks Chris.
I think I see what you mean. The word “appreciate” is rather passive. You are reaching for a word that encompasses the depth and power of being given access to the Creator of All Things. I get it. You make a good point.
PS –
You might say I “appreciate” your comment! 🙂
Good stuff from all!
03-08-2024, How does knowing God’s Law help us to appreciate God?
We are spiritual beings confined to physical bodies in a world defining success as pursuing and achieving physical things which have no eternal value. At the same time John 16:8 tells us of the power of the Holy Spirit, who is convicting the “world” of sin, righteousness and judgement to come. It is this conviction of the Holy Spirit, received or rejected by individuals that determines our eternal destination.
Those who respond to this conviction by choosing to seek the righteousness of God over the foolishness of this world will find peace as they realize they have come home. We receive a new heart, new sight and find rest as we receive spiritual life and begin maturing in the eternal power of God. We begin to see the entire bible, is a physical presentation of spiritual realities presented by God and are food for our growth and life which we live in Him.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 8:8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
Thank you, Ron!
It is the invisible world, as you point out, that turns out to be the most important. Well said!
We appreciate you Jeff!!!
🙂
The feeling is mutual!
Triple that feeling