Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
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The “law is not made for a righteous person”. Verse 9. The righteous shall live by faith, not by the Law.
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4.
Romans 6:14
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs ona tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14.
But, the law is made for “for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane …”. Verse 9.
“Now we know that whatever theLaw says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;” Romans 3:19.
And, “the Law brings about wrath”. Romans 4:15. The Lord knows how “to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,” 2 Peter 2:9.
Here is what the Heidelberg Catechism states in regards to the use of the law for the righteous:
Question 115. Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
Answer. First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.
In summary and conclusion, the Westminister Larger Catechism makes the distinction between the use of the Law for the righteous (regenerate) and the unrighteous (unregenerate):
Question 96: What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men?
Answer: The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ; or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof.
Question 97: What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?
Answer: Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them: How much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 