… to redeem those under the law
Summary: Simplifying the law helps make being redeemed easier to understand.
One of the nice things about simplifying the law into two simple statements is that it becomes very easy to understand. The other nice thing is that our focus changes from the details of the law to the principles behind the details.
From a certain point of view, a case can be made that the “Greatest Commandments” (Matthew 22: 37-40) are the greatest because they encompass the entire law. Another way of saying this is that the entire law is simply an explanation of how to live the two greatest commandments.
Of course, even if we reduce “all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40) to two simple commands, that doesn’t mean they are easy to comply with. Only one man ever managed to keep the law — Jesus Christ. The rest of us, men and women, all fall short all the time.
Sin is a little word that carries eternal consequences. Sin is falling short of what God says we must do. Sin is getting frustrated at our failure, and turning away from God in rebellion. Both forms of sin result in the third form; separation from God.
Without Jesus, we don’t have a prayer. Our sin keeps us from being with God, which means we are left outside God’s kingdom forever. In case you have the idea that being outside of God’s kingdom doesn’t sound so bad, remember that life after death is not like it is here on earth. On earth, God provides for the righteous and unrighteous alike (Matthew 5:45). After this life, there is no more rain and sunshine for the unrighteous. Only fire …. (Revelation 20:15).
Thankfully, we have Jesus. He listens to our prayers. He hears our plea. He forgives those who repent (Ephesians 1:7).
To redeem something or someone is to buy them back.
Imagine that you are walking down a quiet street when suddenly a van pulls up and police jump out and surround you. In a blink, your hands are tied behind you. You feel yourself roughly thrown into the van and hear the tires squeal as the van speeds away. The next morning finds you a prisoner in a remote place. A judge has condemned you to life in prison. You are chained to other people like yourself and given a sledgehammer to break rock with. This is your new life. There is no hope of escape.
Until one day, when Jesus rides over the hill on a donkey. He doesn’t carry a gun. He doesn’t make any threats. He looks you in the eye, and you look back, pleading for help. There is a price to be paid for your release, and somehow Jesus pays it. You find yourself free of the chains, but not free of the need to choose.
Do you choose to try the same thing again that got you thrown in prison, or do you stay close to Jesus?
I think I’ll stick with Jesus.
Application: Stick close to Jesus.
Food for Thought: Does it matter if we don’t know we are under the law?
Does it matter if we don’t know we are under the law?
Yes.
Comments closed to galatians 4:3 about your question what are “elemental spiritual forces of the world”
I believe that he is talking about the angels in Gal 3:19. Because the Law had been given to Israel not directly by God but through the agency of angelic powers.
Thanks Tim!
I appreciate you!!
I think Romans chapters two and three answer this question very well. Yes it does matter. We were given the special revelation of God’s word and told to make it known for a reason. The law gives us knowledge of our sin and demonstrates our need for repentance and our need for a Savior.
Thank you, Rich!
I’d be curious to know your thoughts on Romans 2: 12-16.
General revelation certainly plays a part too (see also Romans 1: 18 – 20). And we have some things written in our conscience by being created in God’s image. But without His written word we will not know of our great need or details of our great Savior. We all know certain things are wrong, but do we know the standard is perfection? And do we know Jesus is the only way? (John 14: 6 amongst many similar verses).
It does matter. I can think of some very good reasons right off the bat:
Leviticus 5:17 If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.
That tells me that once a person understands they are guilty of sin, they must bear their iniquity. That sounds like as long as I stay ignorant, I’m good to go. There is one problem with that.
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I personally don’t believe it is possible to live a life a slave to these things and not, at some point, feel the weight of sin. I have never met anyone who, in some capacity, doesn’t want to love and be loved. We then gravitate toward love, or deny it. These things are counter to love. Love becomes the threshing room floor on which decisions are made. Those who choose love, the love of God, through Christ, and of Christ, who give their faith in His love, in His sacrifice, and call Him Lord, find that love that they want in their hearts. Those who choose to deny the love of God, through Christ, fortify sin in their hearts. But they are no longer ignorant. Those that choose that path know that they are under the law. And in knowing this, they bear their iniquity. They feel it in their hearts, maybe they ignore it, but they still feel it.
I think Rich said all that a bit more succinctly. 🙂 “The law gives us knowledge of our sin and demonstrates our need for repentance and our need for a Savior.”
Thanks Chris!
I love your phrase, “Love becomes the threshing room floor on which decisions are made.”
Well said!
Does it matter if we don’t know we are under the law?
Yes and no. All are convicted by the Holy Spirit, of sin, righteousness and Judgement to come, and we are accountable for our response to His conviction. John 16:8
Romans 6:14, Teaches “You are not under law, but under grace,”
The Bible records an incident in which Peter, James and John, who Christ was calling to become His disciples. They chose to follow based on what they saw and heard as Jesus spoke and demonstrated His power that day. Luke 5:1- 11
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Romans 3:31
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
All are called and made aware of sin, righteousness and coming judgement by God. Our decision regarding this conviction is a personal decision. Those of us who chose to submit our will to God and follow Him, begin the process of transformation into the person God intends us to be. It is during this process that He becomes larger, as we become smaller. We begin to conform to His standards of righteousness over our own.
God’s standard or righteousness is Jesus Christ and can only be achieved as we allow Him to be in control of our lives. He becomes the power of every action and thought within God’s will, and those of our flesh. He knows what living under the law is and is not, and it is His power to discern and chose the Fathers will over our own in all things.
Ron,
Thanks! I like your answer, “Yes and no!” 🙂
“Yes” if we want to understand God’s Word, “No” if we come to faith in Christ without understanding God’s Word.
How do we come to faith in Christ without hearing the gospel? Romans 10: 14 – 17. I am getting confused on the point. But that isn’t the first time😊. Maybe more explanation would help me?
Great question Rich!
Could be wrong, but the following was my source.
Romans 15:21, but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.”
Paul quotes Isaiah 52:15 to drive home his recent point.
So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of Him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:15
Paul has been called by God to bring the good news about salvation through faith in Jesus to people who have never heard it before.
This passage from Isaiah 52:15 points forward to Christ. Paul is showing that his ministry to the Gentiles is a fulfillment of centuries-old prophecies. While Paul was proud to see himself used by God Romans 15:17, he understood that God had long planned to accomplish this work in this way.
Paul also understood his great privilege in being the one to help those who had never been told about Christ to see and understand for the first time.
Brother,
I am going to suggest a distinction here that might help.
Coming to faith in Jesus does require a knowledge of Jesus. Faith, in this case, is an active relationship with our Savior.
The distinction I offer is between an active, living faith, and salvation.
John records Jesus saying,
“Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this. They asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, you remain guilty.”
— John 9:40-41
This is part of the rational for believing a small child who dies without knowing language or the Bible can still end up in heaven.
How God judges people is, I am certain, beyond my understanding. Is it possible the unsaved can be saved?
Jesus tells us:
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With people, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.’” — Matthew 19:26
Thanks R2T2. I absolutely agree that these verses point to God making sure people hear the good news regarding the Messiah and have an opportunity to respond. John 8: 56 tells us that Abraham looked forward to seeing Messiah Jesus’ day, he saw it and was glad. Romans 3: 21 – 26 also tells us that the work of the cross pointed backwards in time to sins previously committed. It covered sin for those who through faith anticipated the Lords salvation. I think we are on the same page here. Peace to you brother.
Brothers Rich and Jeff,
Thanks for the opportunity to go deeper into this great study and education in God’s word. Iron sharpens Iron.
Blessings,
Ron