Don't Write It Off As Law

These 'gospel-centered' days are a balm to the calloused hearts of the church; we have grown weary of the law of trying harder, doing better, and keeping pace.

The healing deeps of the waters of the gospel wash over us with grace. The sigh that escapes our heart carries with it the promise that we will never get caught up in that commercialised, fast-food, pre-packaged, law-bound, brand of Christianity again. Our noses have become self-tuned instruments to sniff out Law in all its insidious forms.

Yet, dear friend, don't let the pendulum swing too far.

We ought not to be too hasty in labelling everything 'Law' in fear that it may contradict the balm of grace. Don't write off the commandments of God as being somehow anti-grace and therefore anti-gospel.

Attend to the 'lesser-known' verses of Proverbs 3:

Proverbs 3:1–4 (ESV) — My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (Emphasis mine)

My gospel-centered generation tends to prickle at words like 'commandments'—they sound too much like the language of Law. But hear the wisdom of the Teacher, let it echo for a moment.

Teaching and commandments are equated to steadfast love and faithfulness.

To forsake the teaching, those well-known fundamentals of the faith, is to forsake the steadfast love of God. To reject the commandments of Christ, that life giving law of liberty, is to spurn his faithfulness and reject his rule.

It's good to bask in the light of grace. Soak it up. Revel in it. By the grace that has come in the gospel we have been made righteous. But don't recoil from the commandments of God—they are meant to show us his faithfulness and steadfast love. They are designed to lead us on paths of righteousness for his names sake.

Let it be said of us, as it was said of the Romans:

Romans 6:17–18 (ESV) — But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.