The Law That Leads Us to Christ

 

The Law That Leads Us to Christ

Text: Romans 3:20–24; Romans 10:4

In Romans 3:20–24 Paul writes, “Therefore 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… This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

This passage raises an important question: if the Ten Commandments and the law cannot save us, then what role do they play in our lives today? And when Paul says in Romans 10:4 that “Christ is the end of the law,” what does that mean?

The Law Reveals Our Need
Paul is very clear: the law was never meant to be a ladder by which we climb into heaven. Instead, it is like a mirror. In Romans 3:20 he says the law makes us “conscious of sin.”

When we look into God’s commandments, we see His holiness—and at the same time, our failures. The law exposes our brokenness, showing us that we fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But this revelation is a gift, not a curse. Because until we know our need, we will never reach out for the Savior.

The Law as a Guide for Living
Although the law cannot save, it still has a purpose in the life of the believer. Think of it as a fence around a pasture. The fence does not give life to the sheep, but it protects them. In the same way, God’s commandments give us boundaries so that we might live in freedom, not slavery to sin.

Jesus Himself affirmed the moral law when He summarized it as love for God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). The Ten Commandments show us what that love looks like in practice: honoring parents, valuing life, guarding purity, telling the truth, respecting others’ property, and worshiping God alone.

Christ the “End” of the Law
But Paul goes further in Romans 10:4: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

The word end here does not mean destruction, as though the law no longer matters. Instead, it means goal, purpose, or fulfillment. Christ is the destination to which the law has always pointed. The law prepared the way by showing humanity its need for righteousness. Christ fulfills that need by being our righteousness.

The Law Points to Jesus
Every time the law convicts us, it drives us back to Christ. The commandments whisper, “You cannot do this on your own.” But Jesus answers, “I have fulfilled it for you.”

Through His perfect life, Jesus obeyed the law in our place. Through His death and resurrection, He bore the penalty for our disobedience. And now, by faith, His righteousness is credited to us (Romans 3:24).

So the law continues to function as a signpost. It points beyond itself to the Savior. It reminds us that salvation is not in rules, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The LAW for US Today
Romans 3 and 10 together teach us that the law is not abolished, but completed in Christ. The Ten Commandments still guide our lives, but they cannot save us. They show us our need, they set boundaries for living, and above all, they lead us to Jesus—the One who is both the end and fulfillment of the law.

So let us not despair when the law shows us our failures. Let us rejoice that it points us to the One who never failed, who kept the law perfectly, and who now offers us grace freely.

As Paul declares: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).

The Glory of God and the Law Written on Our Hearts

 "The Glory of God and the Law Written on Our Hearts"

Scripture Readings:

• Exodus 33:18–23

• Exodus 34:1–7

• Psalm 119:55

Today, we reflect on a divine encounter between Moses and the living God—an encounter that reveals not only God's glory but also His heart. In Moses’ request to see God's glory, we are drawn into a longing that echoes in every human soul: to see, to know, and to be near to the one true God. In God's response, we find both awe and intimacy, majesty and mercy.

Moses’ Bold Request and God’s Merciful Reply (Exodus 33:18–23):

In Exodus 33:18, Moses says to the Lord, “Please, show me Your glory.” It is a daring request, born not from arrogance but from a deep yearning for God’s presence. Moses had seen miracles—plagues, parting seas, bread from heaven—but he wanted something more: to see God's very essence.

How does God respond? Not with denial, but with a promise:
“I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The LORD.’ I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (v. 19)

Notice—Moses asks to see God's glory, and God promises to show His goodness and proclaim His name. This is a profound shift. God equates His glory not primarily with splendor or power, but with His character—His goodness, grace, and mercy.

But God also sets a boundary: “You cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.” (v. 20) And so, God hides Moses in the cleft of a rock and allows him to see His back—a glimpse, not the full radiance. Even this partial view is overwhelming.

The Revelation of God’s Name (Exodus 34:1–7):

After preparing two new tablets of stone—the symbols of covenant and law—Moses ascends Sinai again. This time, God fulfills His promise:

“The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.” (v. 5)

Then comes one of the most powerful declarations in all of Scripture:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (vv. 6–7)

Here we see the glory that Moses asked to see: not in dazzling light, but in relational faithfulness; not in thunder, but in compassion and truth. God reveals His name, and His name is a testimony of His moral and spiritual character.

But this declaration does not ignore justice: “…but who will by no means clear the guilty.” God’s holiness is inseparable from His mercy. He is both just and the justifier (cf. Romans 3:26).

Remembering and Internalizing God’s Law (Psalm 119:55):

Psalm 119:55 says, “I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and keep Your law.”
The psalmist connects remembering God's name—His character—with a response of obedience. It is not merely intellectual recall; it is a relational remembering that compels us to live rightly before God.

As Moses received the Law written on stone, so God intends to write His Law on a deeper surface: our hearts.

The Law Written on Our Hearts:

Throughout Scripture, we find this theme—God desiring not just external obedience, but inward transformation:

• Jeremiah 31:33: “I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

• Ezekiel 36:26–27: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you... I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.”

• Hebrews 10:16 echoes this new covenant promise, reminding us that in Christ, we receive both forgiveness and the inner renewal to obey.

God’s goal is not just to instruct us but to transform us. Just as He proclaimed His name to Moses and engraved His commands on stone, He now proclaims His grace in Christ and engraves His truth on our hearts through the Spirit.

How About Us?

Moses’ request was bold: “Show me Your glory.” And God’s answer was beautiful: “I will show you My goodness. I will proclaim My name.”

We, too, long to see God. And in Jesus Christ—the Word made flesh—we behold the fullness of God’s glory (John 1:14): “full of grace and truth.” Through Him, the name of the Lord is proclaimed to us in love, mercy, and holiness. And by His Spirit, the Law is no longer external but living within us.

So let us, like the psalmist, remember God’s name—even in the night—and walk according to His ways. Let us seek not just to see God’s glory, but to reflect it in lives shaped by His mercy and truth.

More: Lesson 8 In the Psalms: Part 1

The Sin of Favoritism and the Call to Love

 Scripture: James 2:1-9

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we reflect on James 2:1-9, a passage that warns us against favoritism and calls us to love as God loves. James, the brother of Jesus, speaks directly and powerfully, challenging us to examine our hearts and actions.

The Sin of Favoritism (James 2:1-4)
James begins with a stark warning: "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism." He then paints a vivid picture of two men entering a gathering—one rich and well-dressed, the other poor and in rags. The rich man is given a place of honor, while the poor man is told to stand or sit at someone’s feet.

What is the problem here? It is not merely an issue of hospitality but of partiality—treating people differently based on their outward appearance or social status. James calls this behavior evil because it contradicts the very nature of God, who shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11).

How often do we judge by appearances? Do we favor those who can offer us something in return while overlooking the weak and needy? James reminds us that this is not the way of Christ.

God's Heart for the Poor (James 2:5-7)
James then asks a rhetorical question: "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom?" This echoes Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

The world may despise the poor, but God sees them differently. He often uses those who seem insignificant to do great things. The rich, on the other hand, can be tempted by power and self-sufficiency, forgetting their need for God. James warns against honoring those who exploit others while neglecting those whom God esteems.

The Royal Law of Love (James 2:8-9)
James then shifts from favoritism to the law of love, saying, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right." This law, given by God and affirmed by Jesus, is the foundation of true righteousness.

Yet, if we show favoritism, we violate this law and fall into sin. James does not soften his words—favoritism is not a small mistake; it is a transgression against God’s will. To love as Christ loves means to treat all people with dignity, regardless of status, wealth, or appearance.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts
This passage calls us to self-examination: Do we judge others by their wealth, status, or appearance? Do we overlook the poor and the needy? The kingdom of God does not operate like the world. In Christ, all are equal, and our worth is found in Him alone.

Let us ask God to remove favoritism from our hearts and replace it with genuine love. Let us live out the royal law, seeing others as God sees them, and extending grace to all.

Lord, forgive us for showing favoritism and for valuing people based on worldly measures. Help us to love as You love and to honor all people with the dignity You have given them. May we live out Your royal law of love in our daily lives. Amen.

More: Lesson 13 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Next Quarter: Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy 

The Weightier Matters of the Law

 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:23-24; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 58:13-14

In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They meticulously tithe herbs like mint and dill but neglect the “weightier matters of the law”—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He does not dismiss the importance of tithing but calls them to a deeper righteousness that reflects God's heart.

The Weightier Matters of the Law:
Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are at the core of God's law. While the Pharisees focused on outward obedience, they overlooked these essential principles. God’s commands are not mere rules but expressions of His character—loving, just, and merciful.

The Sabbath and God’s Concern for Justice:
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 links the Sabbath to deliverance. God commands Israel to rest, reminding them of their former slavery in Egypt. The Sabbath is not just about personal rest but about justice—ensuring that all, including servants and strangers, experience relief and dignity.

Isaiah 58:13-14 further clarifies the spirit of the Sabbath. It is not a day of self-seeking but a time to delight in the Lord, reflecting His justice and compassion. When we honor the Sabbath properly, we participate in God's work of setting the oppressed free and lifting burdens.

How does this Apply to Us?
True obedience to God’s law goes beyond rituals. Are we practicing justice in our daily lives? Are we showing mercy to the broken? Are we faithful to God's commands in both spirit and action? Honoring the Sabbath means more than resting—it means living in a way that promotes justice and extends God's deliverance to others.

Live as Jesus Taught
Jesus calls us to a faith that is not just outward but transformative. The weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—must shape how we live, love, and worship. Let us not major in the minors but seek to reflect God's heart in all we do.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to embrace Your law with justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Teach us to honor the Sabbath as a time of rest and restoration, not only for ourselves but for others. May we live as people who reflect Your love and righteousness in the world. Amen.

More: Lesson 13 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Next Quarter: Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy 

How does Romans 6:1-11 reveal the reality of God’s grace in our lives, both in justifying us and in making us new people in Him?

 

Romans 6:1-11 is a powerful passage that addresses the transformative impact of God's grace in the life of a believer. Here's a breakdown of how these verses reveal the reality of God's grace in both justifying us and making us new people in Him.

(Bible references are NIV)

 God's Grace in Justification

 Verses 1-2: Paul begins by addressing a potential misunderstanding of grace, asking, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" He immediately rejects this idea, stating, "By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" This highlights that grace is not a license to sin but a transformative power that brings about a fundamental change in our relationship with sin.

 Verse 3-4: These verses explain that through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death. Just as Christ died and was buried, we too, symbolically die to our old sinful nature. This is the essence of justification—being declared righteous before God, not based on our merit, but through our union with Christ’s death. Baptism signifies that we are now partakers in Christ's righteousness.

God's Grace in Making Us New People

 Verses 4-5: Paul continues by emphasizing that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are raised to "walk in newness of life." This new life is a direct result of God's grace, which not only justifies us but also regenerates us, giving us the power to live differently. The resurrection of Christ is central to this new life, symbolizing our new identity in Him.

 Verses 6-7: Here, Paul speaks about the "old self" being crucified with Christ, so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, freeing us from sin’s dominion. This illustrates the process of sanctification, where God's grace continually works in us to conform us to the image of Christ, breaking the power of sin in our lives.

 Verses 8-10: These verses reiterate the believer's union with Christ in both His death and resurrection. Paul highlights that Christ, having died once for all, now lives to God. This is an assurance that, in Christ, we too have been given new life—one that is oriented towards God and His purposes.

 Verse 11: Paul concludes by encouraging believers to "consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." This is both an acknowledgment of our new status in Christ and a call to live in a manner consistent with that reality. God's grace not only justifies us but also empowers us to live as new creations, no longer enslaved to sin.

 Conclusion

Romans 6:1-11 reveals the profound reality of God's grace in our lives. It shows that grace is not just about being forgiven (justification) but also about being transformed (sanctification). Through our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are justified—declared righteous before God—and sanctified, being made new people who are dead to sin and alive to God. This grace is both the foundation of our salvation and the power by which we live out our new identity in Christ.