Q 34: Does the Law then serve only to convict nonbelievers of their sin?

A 34: The Law convicts nonbelievers of their sin but then it guides them in the path of holiness, righteousness, and goodness. (Rom. 3.31; Rom. 7.12)

Jesus’ command to all who would be His disciples is to “follow” Him. He walked the path of God’s Law, fulfilling all the righteous requirements of that Law on our behalf. We cannot be His disciples unless we walk that path in obedience to and imitation of our Lord (1 Jn. 2.1-6; 1 Cor. 11.1). We can only walk that path in the power of the Holy Spirit; however, for Him to work within us and make us willing and able to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law of God, we must give ourselves to the path of obedience and work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2.12, 13).

It is thus important that new believers be made to understand that the Law of God and all the Word of the Lord are indispensable aids to growth and flourishing in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Matt. 5.17-19).

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