Gospel-Centered Living #3: Justification
(The Christian & The Law of God)

By Nate Wilson, Based on Sonship, chapters 4-7, and The Gospel-Centered Life, chapter 4, for Christ the Redeemer Church of Manhattan, KS, 19 Oct 2014, 19 Sept 2021.

REVIEW

Two Ways That God’s Law Is Misunderstood:

1. License – Law is irrelevant.
Proof text: Romans 10:4 …Christ is the end (telos) of the law... for every believer.

2. Legalism – Law is all-important.
Proof text: Matthew 5:17-18 I did not come to undo ... Therefore, whoever might loosen one of the least of these commandments … will be called least in the kingdom…

Let’s look at these proof texts more closely and see who is right!

Romans 10:1-4 (NKJV) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to know-ledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. [τελος γαρ νομου χριστος εις δικαιοσυνην παντι τω πιστευοντι]

Matthew 5:17-20 (Jesus said) “Don’t y’all start assuming that I came to undo (καταλυσαι – the picture is of loosening a belt) the law or the prophets; I did not come to undo but rather to fulfill (πληρωσαι – literally to fill full). For really, I’m telling you that until whenever the heavens and the earth pass on, neither one ‘i’ nor one serif shall ever pass on from the law until whenever everything shall have hap­pened. Therefore, whoever might loosen one of the least of these commandments and teach the men thus, he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever might do and teach thus, this man will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens, for I’m telling you that unless your righteous­ness exceeds beyond the Scribes’ and Pharisees’ you will never enter into the kingdom of the heavens.” (NAW)

Defining Law

  1. Civil law and order

  1. Moral law

  1. Path to salvation - The way to be right and safe. Mostly today’s topic.

Symptoms and Problems of Legalism

Ways to Fight Legalism

Ways to fight Licentiousness

7