Lesson 7

Key Text:

“For Christ is the end of the law

so that there may be

righteousness for everyone who

believes” Romans 10:4

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even

over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of

the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was

to come.” (Romans 5:14)

In Romans 5:12-21, Paul states that sin and death infected human-

kind through Adam. In the same way, justification and life were made

available through Christ to everyone who wants to accept them.

Adam: The transgressor Jesus: The gift

15 Many diedMany received abundance of grace and of the

gift

16The judgment came from one

offenseJustification came from many offenses

17 Death reigned Life will reign

18Condemnation came to all

menJustification of life to all men

19By one man’s disobedience

many were made sinners

By one Man’s obedience many will be made

righteous

20 Sin abounded Grace abounded much more

21 Sin reigned in death Grace will reign to eternal life

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under

law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15)

In Paul’s writings, being “under the law” stands for having

sinned and being under the curse of the law (Galatians 3:10, 13)

On the other hand, being “under the grace” means that we have

been forgiven for our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Are we free from keeping the law because our sins are forgiven?

Are we then allowed to sin again? “Certainly not!”

Romans 6:20 NIV.

When you were slaves to sin you were free from the control of righteousness.

Romans 6:18 NIV.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Law and grace are not opposites.

We are slaves; the Law exposes

our master.

Grace sets us free from sin.

“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you

have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)

EGW (Faith and works, cp. 2, pg. 31)

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself

serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:25)

Are there two laws in conflict?

What is the law of God?

What is the law of sin?

Transgressing the law brings frustration.

Nevertheless, we learn from Romans 7 that

those who feel helpless to fulfill the law

don’t despair.

The Law is a constant reminder of freedom

from condemnation for those who live in the

Spirit. Only Jesus Christ sets them free.

“By sin we have been severed from

the life of God. Our souls are palsied.

Of ourselves we are no more capable

of living a holy life than was the im-

potent man capable of walking. Many

realize their helplessness; they are

longing for that spiritual life which

will bring them into harmony with

God, and are striving to obtain it.

But in vain. In despair they cry, “O wretched man that I am! who

shall deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24, margin).

Let these desponding, struggling ones look up. The Saviour is

bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible

tenderness and pity, “Wilt thou be made whole?” He bids you arise

in health and peace.”

EGW (Lift Him up, March 14)

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who

believes.” (Romans 10:4)

The Greek word for “end"—télos, may

be translated in different ways:

1. Christ is the ending of the law.

2. Christ is the goal or purpose of the

law (Galatians 3:24)

3. Christ is the fulfillment of the law

(Matthew 5:17)

4. Christ is the ending of the law as a

means for salvation (Romans 6:14)

Christ doesn’t forgive our sins by

repealing the law—as we studied that in

the previous lesson. Therefore, we must

dismiss the first meaning of “end”.

The other possible meanings for “end”

can help us in understanding how is the

Law related to Christ.

The word tutor (paidagogós) was

used for slaves who took care of the

master’s children. They were

teachers (didáskalos); they took

care of children since they were 6

until they became an adult.

They had to protect them, look

after them, teach them moral

virtues and take care of all their

needs. On the other hand, they had

to correct them and to punish them

as necessary.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to

bring us to Christ, that we might be

justified by faith.” (Galatians 3: 24)

paidagogós

“I am asked concerning the law in Galatians.

What law is the schoolmaster to bring us to

Christ? I answer: Both the ceremonial and

the moral code of ten commandments.”EGW (Selected Messages, vol. 1, cp. 31, pg. 233)

The law is responsible for two

main tasks, just like the old

tutors were. It must point out

our sin and instruct us. Then, it

must scold us and condemn us

as sinners.

So the moral code points out

our sin, scolds us and

condemns us. The ceremonial

law instructs us and leads us

to repentance before God.

Then, the faith in our Lord

Jesus Christ brings us

forgiveness and peace.

“There is no safety nor repose nor justification

in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to

stand innocent before God, and at peace with

Him through the merits of Christ, while he conti-

nues in sin. He must cease to transgress, and

become loyal and true. As the sinner looks into

the great moral looking glass, he sees his de-

fects of character. He sees himself just as he is,

spotted, defiled, and condemned. But he knows

that the law cannot in any way remove the guilt

or pardon the transgressor. He must go farther

than this. The law is but the schoolmaster to bring him to Christ. He must

look to his sin-bearing Saviour. And as Christ is revealed to him upon the

cross of Calvary, dying beneath the weight of the sins of the whole world, the

Holy Spirit shows him the attitude of God to all who repent of their

transgressions. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten

Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting

life” (John 3:16)”

EGW (Selected Messages, vol. 1, cp. 26, pg. 213)

CHRIST AND HIS

LAW

Slideshare.net/chucho1943

We invite you to download

and study each one of the 13

lessons about this serie

THIS SERVICE IS

FREE AND YOU

CAN USE IT