The Law and the Gospel: Freedom Through Christ
(Inspired by today’s "My Utmost for His Highest" devotional by Oswald Chambers, with gratitude for his enduring insights.)
"Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." — James 2:10
The Unchanging Nature of God’s Law
The moral law of God stands as a constant, unyielding standard of absolute righteousness. It doesn’t account for human weakness, nor does it adjust itself to our sinful tendencies. Whether for the strongest or the weakest among us, the law remains unchanging and absolute.
This unbending nature of the law can feel overwhelming when we recognize how far short we fall. As Paul writes, “Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died” (Romans 7:9). This realization confronts us with a sobering truth: no amount of effort or moral striving can make us right before a holy God.
The Purpose of Conviction
When the Spirit of God convicts us of sin, we see the law for what it is: a mirror reflecting our inability to meet God’s perfect standard. This is not meant to crush us, but to drive us to the cross of Christ.
Without conviction, the message of the cross might seem unnecessary or even absurd. Why would we need a Savior if we believed we could save ourselves? Yet the law exposes the futility of self-reliance. As Paul admits, “The law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin” (Romans 7:14). This realization points us to the only hope we have: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Grace Through the Gospel
The good news is that Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. His death paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection secured our justification. This is a gift of grace, not something we could ever earn through obedience to the law.
James 2:8 refers to the “royal law” of love: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” Even this noble commandment cannot be kept perfectly without the transforming power of Christ. His Spirit enables us to live out this love—not as a means of earning God’s favor, but as a reflection of the grace we have received.
The Freedom of Obedience
God never coerces us to obey Him. Instead, He invites us into a relationship where obedience flows from love and trust. When we surrender to His will, the burden of compulsion fades, and obedience becomes a joy.
Chambers reminds us that once we make the deliberate choice to obey, God provides everything we need to follow through. As he beautifully states, God will “tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand” to empower our obedience. This is the assurance of walking in His grace: we are never left to strive in our own strength.
A Reflection for the Journey
Do you find yourself striving to measure up to God’s standard on your own? Let the law drive you to the foot of the cross, where grace and mercy abound. Obedience is not about perfection but about surrender. In Christ, we are freed from the impossible demands of the law and invited to live in the fullness of His love.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Lord, we thank You for teaching us that we are not bound by the weight of the law but freed by the grace of Your Son. Thank You for exposing our inability so that we might rely fully on Your sufficiency. We rejoice that you teach us daily to rest in the freedom You have given and to walk in joyful obedience as a response to Your love. Amen.