Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient… 1 Timothy 1.8, 9

The Law of God as it was first given was intended for sinful people. In that respect, nothing has changed.

Are you a sinner? Do you find tendencies toward lawlessness and disobedience in your own soul? If so, the Law is for you.

If not, look harder.

Sinful people need the Law, not to condemn them – our consciences are sufficient for that (Rom. 2.14, 15). We need to the Law to help us see our sin so that we can begin to consider the best way to be quit of it. The Law is like one of those “You Are Here” maps at the mall. Except that, when you look at it and see where you are, you’re supposed to respond by saying, “Oh man, this is not where I’m supposed to be!”

But that’s a good thing, because we can’t begin to gain the benefit God intends for us in His Law until we first allow the Law to show us what is blocking our receipt of that benefit. The Law will not become implanted in our souls, so that we are able to grow by its transforming power, until we face up to the wickedness which yet lingers in or revisits our souls from time to time (Jms. 1.21).

But this means we need to be willing to let the Law make us feel bad. Here’s a problem, I realize. We don’t wantto feel bad. And if you’re a preacher, you don’t want people to feel bad under your preaching, or it’s possible they won’t come back next week.

But the Law of God is deliberately designed to pique our souls, to wag a finger in our faces, and, yes, to shame us for trying to get away with something – anything – which is contrary to the will of God.

So a second governing principle for interpreting the Law of God is to be willing for the Law to point out the lawlessness and disobedience in our own hearts, and to listen as the Spirit uses the Law to break all our allegiances to sin. In order to understand and apply the Law of God today, we have to understand it in its original sense; then we have to understand as speaking in the first instance to us.

T. M. Moore

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