Law or Gospel
The Bible communicates two central messages: law and gospel. These are both core to understanding God's rescue.
The law is, in a sense, a dear friend because it shows us that we are deeply sinful. It exposes our sin and shows us how much we need help. It does this like a toothache makes us keenly aware of our need for a dentist. It helps us see the truth about who we are.
Romans 3:20 says that “through the law we become conscious of sin.”
Jesus regularly used the law to help people see their need. Here are a few examples:
When Jesus encountered a self-righteous rich young ruler, he asked Jesus, “'What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responded by telling him to sell all his possessions and follow Him. Jesus gave him the law, exposing the man's heart and his inability to be united to God. Saddened, the ruler walked away, unable to meet such a demand.
The Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5-7, is another example of Jesus using the law. He spoke about the depth of sin in our anger, lust, adultery, retaliation, and lack of love—not as attainable goals but as a mirror to reveal our sinfulness and inadequacy.
While many think the Sermon on the Mount was mainly about how we should live, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Jesus’ words here were designed to show us our desperate need for a Savior.
The parable of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is another example. Jesus wasn't simply giving a moral checklist for how to be better people. Instead, He used this story to show religious leaders how far away from God they were.
When the religious leaders, in Matthew 22, asked Jesus about the greatest commandment Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind...and love your neighbor as yourself”. While this command is beautiful and true, it is also impossible for us to keep. This is why we need Jesus—He loved God and others perfectly on our behalf.
The last example I’ll give also contains the proper response. In their secret meeting Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
A bewildered Nicodemus asked how such a thing could happen. Then Jesus gave him the answer – “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The gospel isn't about what we do but what Jesus has done. He lived a perfect life under the law and died in our place so that all who trust Him can be forgiven and made right before God. Jesus is the perfection we don’t have.
As we share our faith with others, understanding the distinction between law and gospel helps us communicate effectively. For example – Saying 'You need to follow Jesus' is law. But saying 'Jesus took your sin upon Himself so you can be forgiven' is gospel.
The law drives us to despair of our own efforts while pointing us to Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the Law’s demands through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, making believers righteous by faith and liberating them from condemnation.
Jesus, you are the only one who can rescue the helpless sinner. The law crushes but you bring life. I’m sorry that I often act out of pride and think that I’m better than the next person when, we’re all fallen. Thank you for coming to fulfill the law for us. Please cause me to see the beauty of your kindness.
Let’s close by looking at Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Song: Why This Fear?