The Law's Role in Revealing Sin and Grace

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 5:20-21, we delve into the profound relationship between the law, sin, and grace. The Apostle Paul, in his characteristic pastoral style, addresses the perplexing question of the law's purpose. The law, given through Moses, is not a means of justification nor a tool for condemnation. Instead, it serves a crucial role in God's redemptive plan. Paul emphasizes that the law was introduced to make sin more apparent, to highlight its depth and severity. This is not to incite sin, but to increase our awareness and understanding of it. The law defines sin, making us aware of our transgressions and the true nature of our offenses against God.

The law's function is to bring us to a deeper conviction of our sinfulness, revealing the extent of our moral perversion and the deceitfulness of sin. It shows us that sin is not merely a series of wrong actions but a fundamental corruption of our nature. This understanding is vital for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. The law, by exposing our sinfulness, drives us to Christ, the only source of true salvation. It acts as a schoolmaster, leading us to the realization that we cannot save ourselves and that we desperately need the grace offered through Jesus Christ.

Understanding the law's role is essential for a proper grasp of the gospel. Without recognizing the depth of our sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace. The law's purpose is not to save but to prepare us for salvation by grace through faith in Christ. As we reflect on this, let us be grateful for the law's role in revealing our need for a Savior and for the abundant grace that overcomes our sin.

Key Takeaways:

- The law was introduced not to justify or condemn us but to make sin more apparent, highlighting its depth and severity. It defines sin, making us aware of our transgressions and the true nature of our offenses against God. [12:56]

- The law increases our conviction of sin by revealing the extent of our moral perversion and the deceitfulness of sin. It shows us that sin is not merely a series of wrong actions but a fundamental corruption of our nature. [25:59]

- The law, by exposing our sinfulness, drives us to Christ, the only source of true salvation. It acts as a schoolmaster, leading us to the realization that we cannot save ourselves and that we desperately need the grace offered through Jesus Christ. [42:14]

- Understanding the law's role is essential for a proper grasp of the gospel. Without recognizing the depth of our sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace. The law's purpose is not to save but to prepare us for salvation by grace through faith in Christ. [44:04]

- The law's revelation of sin's depth and our own sinfulness is crucial for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. It is only when we see the abounding nature of sin that we can truly appreciate the superabounding nature of grace. [46:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 5:20-21
- [01:13] - The Apostle's Argument
- [02:39] - The Role of the Law
- [04:02] - The Jews' Struggle with the Law
- [05:33] - The Purpose of the Law
- [07:24] - The Law and Condemnation
- [09:19] - The Function of the Law
- [11:09] - The Law's Entry
- [12:56] - The Law and Sin
- [14:57] - The Law's Role in Defining Sin
- [19:11] - The Law and Knowledge of Sin
- [25:59] - The Law's Conviction of Sin
- [33:20] - Preaching and Evangelism
- [42:14] - The Law as a Schoolmaster
- [46:16] - The Abounding Grace of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:20-21
- Galatians 3:22-24
- Romans 7:7-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 5:20-21 say about the relationship between the law and sin? How does this passage describe the role of grace in relation to sin? [00:31]

2. According to the sermon, what was the Apostle Paul's main concern when discussing the law in Romans 5:20-21? [02:23]

3. How does the sermon describe the function of the law in increasing our knowledge of sin? [19:11]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the law's role as a "schoolmaster" in leading us to Christ? [42:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the depth of our sinfulness enhance our appreciation of God's grace, according to the sermon? [44:04]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the law increases our conviction of sin? How does this conviction lead us to seek salvation through Christ? [28:36]

3. The sermon mentions that the law was not intended to justify or condemn us. What implications does this have for how we view our own efforts to achieve righteousness? [16:27]

4. How does the sermon explain the concept of sin being "exceedingly sinful" through the law? What does this mean for our understanding of sin's impact on our lives? [24:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you became more aware of your own sinfulness. How did this awareness affect your relationship with God and your understanding of grace? [27:29]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the law in revealing our need for a Savior. How can you use this understanding to deepen your personal faith journey? [42:31]

3. Consider the idea that the law acts as a "schoolmaster" leading us to Christ. How can you apply this concept in your daily life to rely more on grace rather than your own efforts? [42:14]

4. The sermon suggests that understanding the depth of our sin is crucial for genuine repentance. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of your own sinfulness and need for repentance? [46:16]

5. How can you use the knowledge of the law's role in defining sin to help others understand their need for grace? Think of a specific person you could have a conversation with about this topic. [19:11]

6. The sermon discusses the deceitfulness of sin and its impact on our nature. Identify an area in your life where you might be deceived by sin. What practical steps can you take to address this deception? [26:47]

7. Reflect on the statement that the greatest sinners might be those who do not see their need for Christ. How can this perspective change the way you view and interact with people who seem morally upright but are distant from God? [32:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Law Illuminates Sin's Depth
The law, as introduced through Moses, serves not as a means of justification or condemnation but as a tool to make sin more apparent. It highlights the depth and severity of sin, defining it and making us aware of our transgressions and the true nature of our offenses against God. This awareness is crucial for understanding our need for grace. By recognizing the law's role in revealing sin, we can better appreciate the grace that God offers us through Jesus Christ. [12:56]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you became aware of a wrongdoing. How did this awareness change your perspective on your need for God's grace?


Day 2: The Law Reveals Our Moral Perversion
The law increases our conviction of sin by revealing the extent of our moral perversion and the deceitfulness of sin. It shows us that sin is not merely a series of wrong actions but a fundamental corruption of our nature. This understanding is vital for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. By exposing our sinfulness, the law drives us to seek the transformative power of Christ's salvation. [25:59]

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." (James 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle with sin. How does recognizing the depth of this struggle help you seek God's grace more earnestly?


Day 3: The Law as a Guide to Christ
The law, by exposing our sinfulness, drives us to Christ, the only source of true salvation. It acts as a schoolmaster, leading us to the realization that we cannot save ourselves and that we desperately need the grace offered through Jesus Christ. This realization is essential for embracing the gospel and the salvation it offers. [42:14]

"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by your inability to overcome sin. How did this experience lead you to rely more on Christ's grace?


Day 4: The Law Prepares Us for Grace
Understanding the law's role is essential for a proper grasp of the gospel. Without recognizing the depth of our sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace. The law's purpose is not to save but to prepare us for salvation by grace through faith in Christ. This preparation is crucial for a genuine relationship with God. [44:04]

"For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you have experienced God's grace. How did the awareness of your sinfulness prepare you to receive this grace?


Day 5: The Abounding Grace of God
The law's revelation of sin's depth and our own sinfulness is crucial for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. It is only when we see the abounding nature of sin that we can truly appreciate the superabounding nature of grace. This understanding leads us to a deeper gratitude for the grace that overcomes our sin. [46:16]

"But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt overwhelmed by God's grace. How did this experience change your understanding of His love and mercy?

Quotes



The law, given through Moses, is not a means of justification nor a tool for condemnation. Instead, it serves a crucial role in God's redemptive plan. Paul emphasizes that the law was introduced to make sin more apparent, to highlight its depth and severity. This is not to incite sin, but to increase our awareness and understanding of it. [00:00:25]

The law defines sin, making us aware of our transgressions and the true nature of our offenses against God. The law's function is to bring us to a deeper conviction of our sinfulness, revealing the extent of our moral perversion and the deceitfulness of sin. [00:00:84]

The law increases our conviction of sin by revealing the extent of our moral perversion and the deceitfulness of sin. It shows us that sin is not merely a series of wrong actions but a fundamental corruption of our nature. This understanding is vital for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. [00:25:56]

The law, by exposing our sinfulness, drives us to Christ, the only source of true salvation. It acts as a schoolmaster, leading us to the realization that we cannot save ourselves and that we desperately need the grace offered through Jesus Christ. [00:42:14]

Understanding the law's role is essential for a proper grasp of the gospel. Without recognizing the depth of our sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace. The law's purpose is not to save but to prepare us for salvation by grace through faith in Christ. [00:44:04]

The law's revelation of sin's depth and our own sinfulness is crucial for genuine repentance and appreciation of God's grace. It is only when we see the abounding nature of sin that we can truly appreciate the superabounding nature of grace. [00:46:16]

The law increases our knowledge of sin. By the law is the knowledge of sin. You'll find him saying it again in the seventh verse of the 7th chapter: what shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law. [00:19:11]

The business of the law is to increase my knowledge of sin, and it does that in four main ways. Law increases my knowledge of sin because it defines sin for me. You see, we are ignorant about sin. People commit sin without knowing that they're committing sin. [00:19:59]

The law teaches me about the depth of sin, the fullness of sin, the nature of sin, the exceeding sinfulness of sin. I wouldn't know this without the law. A man doesn't really understand the nature of desire and of lust and of coveting apart from the law. [00:24:54]

The law has increased sin even in that sense that it's made us sin even more. It was never meant to do it. The law is just and holy and good. The trouble's in me. Don't say there's anything wrong with the law. Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. [00:40:28]

The ultimate object of the giving of the law was to bring us to Christ. Listen to Galatians 3:22 to 24: but the scripture hath concluded all and sin that the Promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. [00:41:45]

The law entered that the offense might abound, in order that we might so see ourselves as we are in sin, that we should know and feel our utter and complete hopelessness. [00:42:52]

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Transcript
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