January 8

“…Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

We remember, from yesterday’s post that God gave The Ten Commandments to Israel as a unique gift from a loving Father to His children. The Law reveals God’s holy character and remarkably high standards. However, our problem is, that being judged by His law, we come to hate and resent the guilt that arises from our failure to keep it. Our efforts to obey the Ten Commandments result in disappointment and personal discouragement. This is why it is vital to not only know the law, but to understand its purpose. Without proper understanding, we cannot progress toward wisdom, but remain trapped in knowledge alone.

God, in His mercy, uses His Law to instruct sinners. David wrote: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way…Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose” (Psalms 25:8, 12). Now we must remember that God’s Law cannot save us, but instructs us in God’s ways. The Law is also a mirror that exposes our sinfulness; it drives us to Jesus Christ in our desperation to be rescued from its judgment. Only in Christ can we truly know the fear of the Lord, since only in Him can we truly know God and understand His ways. Until we know Christ, our sinful nature prevents us from accurately knowing, understanding, and fearing God. Therefore, Godly wisdom, established on the knowledge, understanding, and fear of God cannot be obtained outside of Christ. Let us adopt Paul’s prayer, “[That our] hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:1-3).

In what way do you continue to try to live under that law rather than by the grace of God in Jesus Christ? Sinner, are you tired of the Law’s judgment? Will you run to Christ in humility, for forgiveness, repentance, and true wisdom?