Religion loves rules. The adherents feel that they are earning God’s favour, and the officials have power over the people by demanding that they keep the laws or face punishment. But faith in Jesus Christ is different. He is the focus of God’s promises which came before the Law was given to Moses. However the promises and Law are not in conflict; the Law is an instructor to show us how bad our sin is. The Law cannot give life, but faith in Jesus Christ does. The Law stipulates punishment for sinners, but Jesus offers forgiveness to sinners. So what is the point of having the Law?
 
It was only through the Law that sin was declared punishable. Therefore everybody who has sinned (which is everybody) is bound to face punishment. So the written law of God made it impossible to escape the curse due to sin except through the promised Saviour. The gospel (the good news) is no gospel at all unless it is the antidote to bad news. The bad news is all in the Law but grace and peace have come through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
 
So the only way forward from sin is through Jesus Christ. And there is no way to Jesus Christ except by admitting our sin and repenting of it, appealing for God’s mercy and trusting that the blood of Christ is the complete sacrifice for all our sin. True gospel proclamation is not just about the love of God but also His hatred of sin. The Holy Spirit uses the Law to help convict us of sin and open our eyes to the fact that Jesus offers the only way out of sin’s curse. It is an essential and wonderful message to give to our friends and colleagues. If you know it, share it!