We have seen that the law cannot give life, “For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law?” (Gal. 3:2121Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (Galatians 3:21).) But life is the great need of man, who is “dead in sins.” His condition is a thoroughly helpless one; for what can a dead man do to bring himself to life? Many indeed are trying to gain eternal life by their good works, or by walking according to the requirements of the law, but this will not do, for “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” (Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20).)
What hope is there then for man? Thank God! there is a way of life, although the law cannot give it; and while the law cannot bring salvation, there is salvation for lost and guilty sinners. What the law could not do, God has done. In the fulness of His grace He sent His own Son—the Son of His love—and gave Him up to be a sacrifice for sin. The law is “holy,” it is “good,” it is perfect as a law; but having bad material to work on, what can it do? A man may be a very good tailor, but if you give him a poor, shabby piece of cloth, can he make a fine suit from it? So was it with the law; it had poor material, “it was weak through the flesh.” It demands; it cannot give. It asks from one who has no strength; for such is man— “without strength,” and “ungodly.” But it was for just such that Jesus died. And here we find the marked contrast between law and grace. The law demands from one who has no strength; grace gives strength to one who has none. To hear the law given forth amid “blackness and darkness, and tempest,” was to make one tremble and feel his own powerlessness; to hear the sweet sound of grace, is life and peace to him who believes. And God now calls to man to “hear the word of the gospel and believe”
Dear reader, listen to the glad, good news! Jesus has died for sinners. Are you a sinner, lost and guilty? Then believe; look, and live! Jesus has met all the claims that God could have against you, and now, on righteous ground, He can offer you salvation; He can say, Believe and thou shalt live. He is the One who has life in Himself; and He can give it to whom He will. Will you refuse this wonderful gift that He is now offering you?
Your efforts to get life when you have no life are simply “dead works.” Cease your “deadly doings,” I beg of you, and come to Jesus in whom alone is the source of life.
Salvation is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:1111But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11).) And this grace flows out for all who believe. Do you believe? Have you come to Him?
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
ML 07/26/1903