To Lead us to Christ

He also gave the law to lead us to Christ. This means two things:

1. To give us the knowledge of sin.
2. To point us to Christ.

The law does both of these things. First, it shows sin. In Romans 7 Paul said he was alive until the law came. Then the law showed him his sin. When that happened sin was magnified and took even more control over his life. Paul did not know he was covetous until the law said “you shall not covet”. This condemned him and brought him more fully under the power of sin.

Paul did not mean that he was alive before he met the law. It meant that in his own estimation he was alive. But when he saw the law he was able, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to see and admit his true state. The law is very important for this purpose. It causes us to call out, “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24). This leads us to Christ.

But the law also points us to Christ for the answer. It not only shows us our sin, but also shows us the answer. The law contains the lesson of substitution. The tabernacle sacrifices, the Day of Atonement and other offerings, all pointed to Christ in whom they had fulfilment. The washings, the purification and food laws, all pointed to Christ who makes us clean.

So the same law that has condemned us also points to our salvation by speaking of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Under the Old Covenant these offerings covered the people’s sin when they transgressed the law. Under the New Covenant the blood of Christ takes away our sin.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:24).