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Colin Smith: Some folks have the idea that the gospel basically says Christ forgives you for your past sins and opens up heaven for your future joy, and that in the middle, it is down to you to live a good moral life. Find out what the law says and do it. That is not the gospel.

Steve Hiller: Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today, we continue our series, "10 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church," looking at the gospel. Colin, I am glad that what we just heard is not the gospel.

Colin Smith: That is absolutely right, Steve. If the gospel was that God forgives you for the past, opens heaven for the future, and then the rest of your life is up to you, we would all be in big trouble.

Steve Hiller: It is incomplete, isn't it?

Colin Smith: That would just leave us with the law. At the end of the day, the law can tell us what to do, but it cannot give us the power to do it. That is why the Apostle Paul says strikingly in the letter to Titus that it is the grace of God, not the law of God, which teaches us to say no to ungodliness. Knowing God's grace in our life enables us to change.

Today, we are going to look at an important statement in Paul's first letter to Timothy. He says, "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly." Now, there is the issue. How do you use the law properly as a gospel-centered person or as a gospel-centered church? It is an important issue, and it is part of the freedom that we find in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Steve Hiller: Let's take a look at the answer to that question. Open your Bible to the book of 1 Timothy. We are in chapter one, looking at verses 8 to 11 today. Here is Pastor Colin with the message called "Gospel Freedom."

Colin Smith: Today, we are going to look at a second distinctive of a gospel-centered church, and I have called this one "Gospel Freedom." I have described it in this way: that we are drawn by grace, not driven by law. We are drawn by grace, not driven by law.

Let's take it up where we left off last week in verse 7, where it becomes clear that there were difficulties in this church at Ephesus over some people who wanted to be teachers of the law. Notice that in verse 7. Paul says that they did not know what they were talking about. In other words, it is quite clear that some folks in this church, where Timothy was the pastor, were confused about the role of the law in the life of a Christian believer.

Frankly, that is not surprising because the role of the law in the life of a Christian believer is a difficult issue. Perhaps that is one reason why it comes up again and again in the New Testament letters. Perhaps that is a reason why it has perplexed believers and caused debate throughout the centuries of Christian history.

If you want to understand the role of the law in the life of a Christian believer, then perhaps the most important text to get you going is right in front of us in 1 Timothy 1, verse 8. It is of huge importance for the church today and always. "We know," Paul says, "that the law is good if one uses it properly." Huge statement.

Notice that he is saying two things. Number one, the law is good. That is clear. Number two, the law must be used properly. In other words, it is possible in the church to make an improper use of the law. It is possible in your home to make an improper use of the law. The law is good if one uses it properly.

Let me try and set our minds in the right direction by giving a couple of examples of the improper use of the law. One improper use would be if you use the law for self-justification. Remember that is what the rich young ruler did. He recites the commandments to the Lord Jesus: "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, honor your father and mother," and so forth and so on. Then he says, "Jesus, all these I have kept since I was a boy."

Here was a man who took a superficial look at the Ten Commandments in particular. He looked at God's law and he said, "I'm good." Paul could look back at a time when he did precisely the same thing. He says in Philippians chapter 3, looking back to an earlier time in his life, that as with regards to legalistic righteousness, he was faultless. That is how he saw himself before Christ.

If you are the kind of person who takes a superficial view of the commandments of God and you say, "I've never committed adultery, I've never murdered anyone, I live a really good moral life," that is a terrible use of the law if you read it and come to the conclusion that you must be real good before God.

A second improper use of the law is to use it for self-sanctification. Some folks have the idea that the gospel basically says Christ forgives you for your past sins and opens up heaven for your future joy, and that in the middle, it is up to you to live a good moral life. Find out what the law says and do it. That is not the gospel.

In Romans chapter 8 and verse 3, Paul says, "What the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." Notice the words: "What the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature." Paul is saying the law can tell us what to do, but it cannot give us the power to do it. We are weakened by the sinful nature. The law is powerless because it can instruct us, but it cannot get us to the place that it points to.

That is the problem with all legalism and moralism. It is so limited. It is so self-calculating and self-righteous. It instructs, but it lacks power. It certainly cannot bring us into the life to which Jesus Christ is calling us. Remember this if you want to get it clear in your mind: the gospel does not bring forgiveness, heaven, and law; the gospel brings forgiveness, heaven, and the Spirit. It is the Spirit who sanctifies, not the law. That is very important as we are trying to understand what the proper use of God's good law really is.

That covers a couple of improper uses. Let's ask the question that is right there in 1 Timothy 1, verse 8. What is the proper use of the law for a Christian believer? That is the question that is right before us, and it is a huge question for every Christian, every family, and every church. The way you answer this question will shape the character of your Christian life, and it will shape the dynamics of your home.

The way that we answer this question will shape the character of our church. It shapes the character of churches all over the country and all around the world. The question is: what is the proper use of the law for a Christian believer? "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly." Let's start with two things that are clear in the Bible.

The Bible is very clear that Christians are not under the law. You get that in Romans chapter 6 and verse 14. You are not under the law if you are in Jesus Christ; you are under grace. What a beautiful phrase that is. Not under the law, you are under grace. That is why Paul says that Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

When some people came to the Galatian church and started teaching that all Christians should be circumcised, Paul could not have been firmer or more resolute in answering their claim. He said, "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." That is Galatians chapter 5 and verse 4.

He said to the whole church, when it was threatened by people who wanted to reintroduce the imposition of all Old Testament law in regards to Christian believers, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened with the yoke of slavery." Let's start here with what is very clear in the New Testament. The law cannot condemn a person in Christ. The law has no power over us. We are not under the law; we are under grace. From the depth of our being, we say, "Thanks be to God."

Steve Hiller: You're listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called "Gospel Freedom." It is part of a larger series called "10 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church." We're going to pause here, but we'll get back to this message in just a moment, so I hope you'll stay with us.

If you ever miss a broadcast, join us late, have to leave early, or just want to listen again to what you've heard, you can do that at our website, openthebible.org. You can stream the broadcast or download an MP3 for free. You can also listen if you have the Open the Bible app. That is free at your app store. Or you can order a copy of this entire series on CD. Ask about "10 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church" when you call 1-877-OPEN-365. That's 1-877-673-6365. Our website is openthebible.org. Let's get back to the message. Here's Pastor Colin.

Colin Smith: The Bible is very clear that Christians are not under the law. Second, the Bible is equally clear that Christians cannot forget the law. Now we are seeing why this is such a complex issue. We are not under the law, but we cannot forget the law. Let me give you four reasons why we cannot ignore or forget the law of God.

Number one, the law of God is good. It says it right here in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 8. It is God's law. It proceeds from his mouth. How could anything that comes from God be anything other than good? Paul says it right here: "The law is good if one uses it properly." In saying that, he is making it very clear we as Christians are to use it. We must use it properly, but we are to use it. We certainly can't forget it, and we certainly can't ignore it. Romans chapter 7 and verse 12 says the law is holy, righteous, and good.

If your son or your daughter grows up to be a person who is faithful to their spouse, can be trusted with their money, tells the truth, and honors their father and mother, is that not a good thing? Of course, it is. The law is good. Paul says in the second letter to Timothy that all Scripture is breathed out by God. That was written before the New Testament canon was complete, so he is talking about Old Testament Scripture. He is saying the whole Old Testament is breathed out by God and it is useful.

Don't forget it or ignore it. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. We cannot forget it or ignore it. We cannot detach the Old Testament from the new because God's law is good. Second, we cannot forget it because God's law remains. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew chapter 5, in the Sermon on the Mount: "I tell you the truth, that until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished."

He says, "If anyone breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same"—teaching people that the law is of no importance in regards to the life of a Christian—"they will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever practices these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

One thing that is clear from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount is that Christ calls us beyond the law to exceed it. Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees. He is not calling us to come up short of it. He is certainly not calling us to make no attempt at it.

A third reason why we cannot forget the law as Christian believers is because the Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts. That is the great promise of the gospel. Jeremiah 31:33, God says, "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts." That is the promise of what he would do in the New Testament. He says in Ezekiel 36:27, "I will put my Spirit in you," that is the gift that you receive as a Christian believer, "and I will move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." So in Christ, we would say with David, "Oh, how I love your law."

The fourth reason that Christians cannot forget the law of God is that God gives us his Spirit precisely for us to live the life that is described in his law. Romans chapter 8 and verse 4 says that Christ died in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Paul is not talking here about our justification; he is talking here about our sanctification. He does not say that the righteous requirements of the law are met for us when Jesus died on the cross. That is true, but it is not what he is saying here. He says that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us who live according to the Spirit. He is talking about your new life in Christ. Jesus Christ died to bring you into a new life lived in the power of the Spirit that will become a fulfillment of the law reflecting the character of God.

There are two common errors. The first is to say that Christians are subject to the Old Testament law. The second is to say that Christians can forget the Old Testament law. Now you will realize why anyone who thinks this issue is simple has simply not thought about it very much at all. The law is good if one uses it properly. What, then, is the proper use of the law of God?

I want to offer three answers. If we are not under the law but we cannot forget the law, how are we to use it properly as Christian believers? How does it function for us today? Here are three proper uses of the law. Number one, the law restrains rebels from evil. It is clear that that is what was in Paul's mind here in 1 Timothy chapter 1. Notice what he says in verse 9: "We also know that the law is not made for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels."

Let's remember that is what we all are by nature. That is why we need the law. We need the law in our land, in our homes, and in the Bible because we live in a fallen world and by nature, we are rebels. The law restrains simply by threatening punishment. That is how the law works. If you do this, something bad will happen to you.

That makes the rebel think twice. Good laws, whether they be in a home, in a nation, or in Scripture, restrain rebels. A man has to think about consequences before he does an evil that is on his mind, and in the mercy of God, good law may restrain him from doing it. Good law acts as a deterrent.

For all of us who are parents, think about this as you establish appropriate rules in your own home and family. When your little daughter or son—but let's take the daughter today—when that little one is born, she looks like a picture of innocence. You hold her in your arms and you think, "Oh, how lovely and wonderful and perfect she is."

You need to know what you have got there. What you have got there is a wonderful gift from God who will bring you joy and delight, and a little rebel whose heart is bent on crowning herself as Lord. That is what you have. You will need to write some rules with appropriate punishments that will carry enough weight in her little mind to restrain her from evil. That is the proper use of the law. If we neglect that proper use of the law, we have homes and families in chaos.

That is why we need rules in the church. We don't want many, but we do need some. That is why we have a constitution and bylaws. You sometimes hear people saying, "Man-made rules." Of course. Why can't we simply say we are all Christians here, so the only rule is that we love one another? There is too much sin in all of us for that to work. So you need some rules. You don't have to have many, but we need some.

It is significant that the long list of sins here in this verse relates directly to the Ten Commandments. For all who kill their fathers and mothers—that relates to the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and mother." For murderers—sixth commandment. For adulterers—seventh commandment. Notice, by the way, that Paul includes here both heterosexual and homosexual acts as defiance of the seventh commandment.

Notice the next one, this is very significant: it's for slave traders. That relates to the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal"—stealing a person. If anyone ever says to you that the Bible supports slavery, you point them to this verse where it says that slave trading is a defiance of the eighth commandment. Paul is applying the commandments to the culture in which he lives.

For liars and for perjurers—that is the ninth commandment. The point is that the Ten Commandments still speak powerfully into our lives and our world today. We need them to restrain rebels. We need them to restrain rebels.

Steve Hiller: You're listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, and we're taking a look at the law today. Some of the proper uses, and next time, we're going to see how the law leads sinners to Christ, so I hope you'll make it a point to tune in.

If you ever miss a program, come and listen online at openthebible.org. Open the Bible is a listener-supported ministry. It's your generosity that keeps Pastor Colin's teaching on this station, and as you give a gift of any amount this month, we want to send you a copy of John Stott's book, "The Incomparable Christ." But Colin, who is John Stott?

Colin Smith: John Stott was one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. A faithful preacher, a wise pastor, a brilliant scholar who served the church faithfully for over 60 years. He really is one of my heroes of the faith. I have valued the advice I was given years ago: choose a book by its author. This is a really good author, but it's a really good author on a really great subject. This is John Stott on the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is Jesus? Jesus was the central focus of all of John Stott's work and life, as he should be the central focus of all of our lives. This wonderful book just opens up the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ as we find him in the New Testament, as he's inspired people throughout history, and as one day we're going to see him when he comes again in power and glory. For anyone who loves Jesus, to read a great book about Jesus Christ is a good thing to do. I think this is one of the best books you could read about the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Steve Hiller: We want to send you a copy as our way of saying thank you for financially supporting Open the Bible this month. You can give online at openthebible.org or when you call 1-877-OPEN-365. That's 1-877-673-6365. Or again, the website is openthebible.org. For Pastor Colin Smith, I'm Steve Hiller. Thanks for listening, and I hope you'll join us next time. This program was a listener-supported production of Open the Bible.

Guest (Male): "Fly through the Bible" is a short, simple, and shareable book that you can use with a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one who needs to know Jesus. It's also freely available online. "Fly through the Bible" will introduce you to five people in the Old Testament, five events in the life of Jesus, and five gifts God gives to every believer. You could ask a friend to read "Fly through the Bible" with you. The book has 15 chapters. You could read a chapter and meet together over coffee and discuss the questions. "Fly through the Bible" is designed to help you open the Bible with others. It will give you a better grasp of the Bible's story, and most of all, it will help you grow in your love for Jesus Christ. For more information, visit openthebible.org/fly. That's openthebible.org/fly.