We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
Summary: Using the law to clean up our behavior is a good thing. Before something can be cleaned, though, it has to want to be cleaned.
Now that we have briefly looked at the different kinds of law that both Paul and Timothy were aware of, let’s examine how the law is used “properly.”
To begin, how does one use the law in the first place? Is it like a garden rake or a shovel? Is it more like a hammer or a saw?
The law is interesting because it can be used in many ways. Godly people tend to use the law for good things. Ungodly people will use the law to serve their own purposes (which godly people label as “evil”).
Common uses of the law begin with personal use. The law helps me know what to do and what not to do. God’s moral law reminds me to love God above all else (Matthew 22:37-40) and love my neighbor, too. The Bible explains who my neighbor is, and the Mosaic law, while not binding on me as a Gentile, helps me understand how to apply the law (e.g., Deuteronomy 22:1-4).
The second use for Christians involves helping other believers. Paul writes, “…if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently” (Galatians 6:1). The Bible includes a whole series of verses related to this topic.*
The third use for the law has to do with unbelievers. This is the most confusing area for many of us.
If you, as a believer, see me, another believer, doing something that does not align with biblical teaching, the Bible encourages you to correct me “gently.” The assumption is that I will be convicted by the truth. This means that the Holy Spirit, working in my heart, will confirm what you are telling me. As one who has a heart for serving the Lord, God’s Word and conviction will guide me back to a right relationship with God.
Unbelievers do not acknowledge the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Just telling them that God does not approve of what they are doing is not going to carry any weight. In fact, Paul gives us a specific teaching on this topic when he writes:
”What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” (1 Corinthians 5:12)
As Christians, we are wise to clean up our own house before we tell others how to clean theirs.
Application: Apply the law first to ourselves and then to family.
Food for Thought: How does Matthew 7:1-5 help us apply the law properly?
*Some of these references include: Galatians 6:1–2, James 5:19–20, 2 Corinthians 2:6–8, Matthew 18:15–17, Luke 17:3–4, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 3:12–13, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Corinthians 5:1–5, 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15, Titus 3:10–11, 1 Timothy 4:12, 16, 1 Peter 5:1–3, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 15:4–7
It reminds us to start with ourselves. It encourages us to look in the mirror and make changes and then we will be better equipped to help others. We are also reminded not to condemn others. That is in God’s job description. We can agree with God that what someone is doing is wrong and we can seek to lovingly restore them. Depending on the situation and relationship we may even find it appropriate to discipline them, but we cannot condemn them. The goal is always restoration – either with the Lord, or others, or both.
You already referred to Galatians 6: 1. I’ll add one more…
James 1: 22 – 25: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes, the James 1 passage is very appropriate! I also appreciate your reminder that “the goal is always restoration…”
Yes! 🙂
How does Matthew 7:1-5 help us apply the law properly?
I like Rich’s answer, I think he answered the question well.
I think this mediation has value not only for people we interact with in the present, but also those we have interacted with in the past.
The freedom that comes with applying the law properly is a blessing. When we do not judge others correctly, it affects the other, but it also affects us. Done incorrectly to others, we view them self-righteously, and it hardens our heart. Done correctly, we both offer and accept the invitation to restoration through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our own heart is softened and more aware of His presence, and we are able to help others do the same, or in the case of past transgression, have compassion and forgiveness.
I am not sure if this verse fits, but it is the one that I keep thinking of for today.
Philippians 3:12-13
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Judging others self-righteously is like dropping an anchor. It hinders, and sometimes stops, forward movement in our walk with Jesus.
Thank you, Chris!
I like your “anchor” metaphor. Pride holds us back in many ways.
How does Matthew 7:1-5 help us apply the law properly?
Matthew 7:1. Do not judge others until you are prepared to be judged by the same standard. And then, when you exercise judgment toward others, do it with humility.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We are very special creatures. We receive Jesus Christ, experience the great weight of our sins being taken off our shoulders and for the first time experience freedom from sin.
We now live knowing we are all works in progress and must seek spiritual growth thru Christ, which we receive to the degree we surrender ourselves to His will over our own. Our calling is to respond to the Sprits call to personal righteousness live within the bounds of His guidance, freely given to all children of God.
We are called to be humble servants of Christ, not proud royal messengers and dispensers of Gods laws to others. Let the Holy Spirit rule our lives, telling others about Jesus as we live within Gods will over our own.
John 3:17, For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Ron, Thank you.
If I were to summarize your comment in one word it would be “perspective.”
Very well said!