Patrick was a man of Scripture. In today’s excerpt, we hear him quoting freely and forcefully from the Law of God, condemning Coroticus and his soldiers and warning all readers to choose the way of self-denial and love. Today’s reading is found on pages 63 and 64 of Patrick: A Devotional History:
“‘Woe unto them who fill themselves
with that which is not theirs,” and “He who delves
into the world for profit, though he gain
the whole, shall lose his soul and know the pain
of loss.” Yet tedious would it be to show
from all the Law what any man can know
who reads it: Avarice is a mortal sin.
“You shall in no way covet what is in
your neighbor’s hand.” “You shall not kill.” For he
who murders cannot with the Savior be.
“Who hates his brother kills,” or, we may say,
“Who does not love his brother walks the way
of death.”
“The exercise of church discipline requires judgment. And that judgment must be righteous, as Jesus explained. From the tone of his Letter, Patrick was outraged and angry. But outrage and anger are not sufficient grounds for making judgments. Righteous judgments require a righteous standard, and that standard is only to be found in the holy and righteous and good Law of God.
“Patrick’s basis for excommunicating Coroticus and his soldiers was that they had wantonly violated the Law of God by covetousness, theft, and murder. The ethical and moral basis for all righteous judgment must be the Law of God—the Ten Commandments and the precepts, statutes, and rules, spread throughout Exodus to Deuteronomy, which help us understand the application of God’s Law in specific situations.
“Patrick’s preaching and teaching certainly depended heavily on the Law of God. By preaching the commandments of the Lord, Patrick awakened people to their sins and pointed them to Jesus as their sin-bearer. But Patrick also taught the people that, though the Law of God cannot save, those who are saved need the Law to guide their new life in Christ.”
For reflection or discussion
1. What role does the Law of God have in your walk with and work for the Lord?
2. What can we do to gain a better understanding of the Law and to encourage one another in it?
Jesus said that greatness in the Kingdom of God depends on our learning, keeping, and teaching the Law of God. The Law, Paul wrote, is holy and righteous and good. And the summary of the Law, as Jesus explained, is to love God with all our soul and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Patrick lived by this, and God blessed Him. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together and talk about how you can grow together in learning God’s Law. You can download a free PDF copy of our 30-day devotional, Patrick: A Devotional History, by going to The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
