SIN'S MIRROR

1 Timothy 1:3-11
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. 8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me.

How much do you think you'd learn about good and godly living by studying "wanted" posters--documents that highlight the crimes of lawbreakers? Probably not much.

The apostle Paul, in fact, instructed his young prot?g? Timothy to correct those who spend most of their time studying such documents. Paul said, in essence, that the primary purpose of Old Testament law was to act as a mirror which reveals to the lawbreaker the ugly face of rebellion, deceit, ungodliness, sexual perversion, and murder. The godless are condemned by their own reflections. But those who want to live a life pleasing to God don't seek instruction in sin's mirror--for that is what the law is. They turn away from that which condemns to that which teaches about love, purity, and faith, that which we learn from the example and gospel of Jesus.

My understanding of Paul in this passage is helped by recollections of my childhood. Because my father was a loving and godly man, and because I loved him too, I wanted my life and behavior to please him--to make him happy I was his son. I wasn't motivated much by the discipline I knew I'd receive for breaking his "laws." I was prompted mostly by my desire to be like him.

My dad didn't require my obedience or expect certain behavior because he was on a power trip; he wanted that because he knew it was good for me. I assure you that I learned far more from my father's good example than from his "laying down the law." In fact, he rarely had to do that.

I think this is what the Father wants of us. He says, "Look at My Son Jesus. He obeyed My law perfectly because you couldn't. See how He loved and sacrificed and lived for others. Learn from Him. That's how I want you to live. If you are looking at My Son and following His example, living by the law has little significance for you."

The law reflects the face of godlessness. What our Father wants is for us to reflect the face of His Son to the godless world. --Dean Ohlman

DESTINATION POINTS

* Do I spend more time thinking about what might be sinful than in considering what is good, loving, and kind?
* What motivates me to obey God?

bottom line: The mirror of the law leads us to God.

soul journey