Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

20220503

legitimate law

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (JDV)

1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.
1 Timothy 1:9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
1 Timothy 1:10 for fornicators, homosexuals, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is different than the sound teaching
1 Timothy 1:11 that conforms to the excellent message about the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

legitimate law

Timothy would encounter “Bible teachers” whose only concern was to show others how holy they were. But Paul told him that they were using God’s law in an illegitimate way. Its legitimate purpose is to condemn lawbreakers.

If you are really concerned about making yourself holy, you will seek the excellent message: the gospel. Only thorough God’s grace can we overcome our tendency to break his law.

LORD, build us up with your gospel!