“Properly distinguishing the law and the gospel is the highest and most difficult art of Christians . . . It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience.” –C.F.W. Walther
Many people, including many Christians, do not understand the difference between the law and the gospel. When they read the Bible or hear preaching, they assume that the Christian life is all about “being a good person” or “living by the golden rule.” In their minds, Jesus’ primary work was that of teacher, telling us how we ought to live. It is true that God’s word contains commands, but the Bible is not primarily a rulebook. Rather, the Bible is God revealing himself to us, highlighting his character and his redemptive work throughout the course of human history. It takes careful reflection to tell the difference between God’s commands (law) and God’s promises (gospel).
So today, let’s look at an example from Romans. In chapter 3, Paul goes on a bit of a rant, making sure that every single person is aware that they have broken God’s law and stands condemned as a sinner. In verse 20, he finishes this line of thought by highlighting the purpose of the law of God:
“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
Paul makes his point crystal clear: the purpose of the law is to show you how sinful you are and to cause you to despair of your own attempts at self-justification. But, a few verses later, Paul pens one of the most memorable gospel verses in the entire Bible:
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:22–25
Do you see the distinction? Your right-standing before God is nothing that you could accomplish yourself. When you were under the crushing weight of the law, God sent Jesus to live a perfect life, to die a sacrificial death, and to resurrect as a victorious king. God did everything; we did nothing. This good news is what the gospel is all about.
This week, as you spend time in the scriptures, my prayer is that you would more clearly see the difference between God’s commands and God’s promises. As you notice these differences, remember that Jesus fulfilled every law of God perfectly and that he gifts his perfection to those who trust in him by faith.
