The Law You Are Resisting Shows What Sin Needs Killing

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 Jn 5:3

Every human being was created to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The writers of the Westminster Shorter Catechism thought this truth to be most important. It is the first question of the catechism. The second logically follows from the first, as it predicts the obvious question, "How do we know how to glorify God?" The answer to this (in not so many words) is his Word.

The Word of God, and more particularly, the Law of God is his gracious direction that guides us how we might glorify him; and in doing so, we find our most enjoyment. In other words, we were created to follow God's commandments. When we follow them, we are most happy. When we do not follow them, we are most miserable.

Bondage is not, therefore, having to obey the Law of God, but not being able to obey it. A person is enslaved when they cannot live how they were created to live. It's like a dog who walks around like a cat. His life is odd, and though he may wag his tail, there will always be some misery about him until he begins to bark and fetch like a dog.

How then should we understand God's Law in our lives. Often people use God's goodness, grace or forgiveness as an excuse to disregard the Law. When they focus on the commandments, they are too heavy, too burdensome. Christians shouldn't live under such burdens and so the Law must go. But this is the wrong way. This is not glorifying to God. And it is not ultimately what is most enjoyable to humanity.

When the commandments are burdensome, when there is a law that we just cannot seem to follow, the right way to respond is not by dismissing the Law, but by repenting of sin. The Law is holy, remember (Rom 7:12)? We are the problem. Burdens under God's Law are reminders to go to the Lord Christ in repentance and faith. The Law will crush those who do not find shelter in Christ, who was crucified.

Feeling the burden of the Law is a gracious thing. If ever you feel as if you don't want to follow God's Law, pray that the Spirit would search you and point out where you need correction and sanctification. The Law finds our sin, points it out to us, and goes on a rampage to have it out. Whatever Law you are resisting is a testimony of whatever sin needs killing.

But don't try and kill it yourself, or it will kill you. Go to Christ, trust in his life and death on your behalf, rely and depend upon his Spirit to kill whatever wicked way is inside.