gal 03v19 Wherefore Then Serveth The Law

"WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW?" Galatians 3:19

God never intended for the law to be a means of righteousness, either for justification or sanctification. The law was never designed to be a rule of life, a code of moral ethics, or a motive for obedience to God. Why then was the law given? What purpose does it serve? The law was designed for one thing, and only one thing. The purpose of the law is to expose human sin. "By the law is the knowledge of sin."

When the law of God is applied to a man's heart by the Holy Spirit it causes sin to appear, (Rom. 3:19; 5:20; 7;9). The law reveals God's holy nature, and tells me what God requires of men - Perfection! The law exposes my guilt and corruption. It makes me see the nature and extent of my sin. It exposes my inability to perform what God requires. And the law stirs up sin in every rebel's heart. The law curses and condemns me, ministering wrath and death. The law is powerless to do anything but kill. It cannot give life. And the only person who finds comfort in the law is one who is righteous in his own eyes.

The design of the law is to shut men up to Christ alone for salvation, (Gal. 3:22-24). Everything in the law points men to Christ. It was given to show the necessity of righteousness and redemption by him.

But once a man comes to Christ by faith the law has nothing else to do with him. We are longer under the law in any way! Paul's language could not be clearer, "...we are not under the law, but under grace," (Rom. 6:15; Compare Rom. 7:l-4; 8:1-4; Gal. 3:25-26). "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." (Rom. 10:4) In Christ we are totally free from the law! We are free from its curse, free from its covenant, free from its bondage, free from its power, and free from its rule. The law of God was not designed as a rule of life for a righteous (believing) man. (1 Tim. 1:5-9). The children of God are motivated by higher principles than legal commandments and the fear of death - The principles of faith and love. (1 Jo. 3:24). Can these lead to licentiousness? Perish the thought! We that have been made free, by the blood and power of Christ, dare not entangle ourselves again with the yoke of bondage to the law!