The Work of Shepherds (6)

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law isthe knowledge of sin. Romans 3.20

Christianity and Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937)
“But how can the consciousness of sin be revived? Something no doubt can be accomplished by the proclamation of the law of God, for the law reveals transgressions. The whole of the law, moreover, should be proclaimed…But if the consciousness of sin is to be produced, the law must be proclaimed in the lives of Christian people as well as in the word. It is quite useless for the preacher to breathe out fire and brimstone from the pulpit, if at the same time the occupants of the pews go on taking sin very lightly and being content with the moral standards of the world.”

Sin is not just an abstract concept or a catalog of transgressions. It’s not just a sense that something’s wrong in my life, or that I’m in need of moral improvement. Sin is a lingering presence in the life of each one of us, and will continue there until we are taken up to glory. Thus we shall have to struggle with sin daily, in very specific ways. It is the shepherd’s responsibility to equip his people for this struggle and, when they are neglectful in this struggle, or find it difficult or distasteful, to attend them as a physician of their souls, so that they might repent and be restored. The shepherd who does not preach sin is leading his flock astray. And the shepherd who neglects to preach the Law of God will find restoring consciousness of sin a Sisyphean endeavor.

Do you agree? Are shepherds supposed to expect their people to grow past their sins into greater fullness of Jesus Christ? How should they help in this?

The Law of God
The righteous person meditates in the holy and righteous and good Law of God by day and by night (Ps. 1; Rom. 7.12). This is how the consciousness of sin is restored. But which parts of the Law? And how can we do this? Order a copy of our compilation, The Law of God, and there you’ll find the commandments of the Law arranged with their supporting statutes for daily meditation (click here). Still not convinced the Law is all that important? Order a copy of The Ground for Christian Ethics from our online store (click here).

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1923, 1974).