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Study 09 of 10

The Law in Christ; Or, the Relation Between the Law and the Gospel

The law reveals sin by defining righteousness but cannot impart it; the gospel is the righteousness of that same law, wrought out and fulfilled in believers through Christ, who is the law made flesh.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Prescott traces the purpose of the law and its relation to the gospel in this extended study. The law's first purpose is to reveal sin by setting forth the righteous character of God as a standard, showing us to be unrighteous by contrast, as Paul, Isaiah, and Job discovered. Yet the law, being holy and righteous, cannot itself confer the righteousness it demands; that righteousness comes only through Christ, who fulfilled the law's righteousness by a life of perfect obedience and now offers to fulfill that same righteousness in believers through the indwelling of His Spirit. Prescott insists that the work of Christ is not only that righteousness be imputed to us but imparted, not only that Christ died for us but that He now lives in us, so that the law is not written on stone but on the fleshy tables of the heart. His conclusion crystallizes the whole study: the gospel is simply the law in Christ, so that any attempt to abolish or alter the law is an attack on Christ and the gospel itself, while love for Christ produces love for and harmony with His law.

Key points

  • The first purpose of the law is to reveal sin by defining, through God's own character, what righteousness is.
  • The law itself, though holy and righteous, has no power to impart the righteousness it requires; it can only expose the lack of it.
  • Christ fulfilled the righteousness of the law by perfect obedience, and now offers to fulfill that same righteousness in believers by dwelling in them.
  • The gospel is simply the law in Christ; to abolish or change the law is to attack Christ and the gospel, since they cannot be separated.

Key texts

  • Romans 3:20
  • Romans 8:3-4
  • Galatians 2:20
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

From the book

Sermon 8 · The Law and the Gospel · Read this chapter

  • “For by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (sermon 8)
  • “I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (sermon 8)
  • “THE GOSPEL IS SIMPLY THE LAW IN CHRIST, and therefore an attempt to abolish the law is an attempt to abolish Christ and the gospel.” (sermon 8)

Put it into practice

  • Let the law show me my true condition rather than using it to measure my own righteousness by comparison with others.
  • Stop attempting to obey the law in my own strength, and instead receive Christ, who is the law fulfilled, into my heart by faith.
  • Consider whether my life today gives evidence that Christ, the living law, dwells and reigns within me.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What is the first purpose of the law according to this study?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. Why can the law not make anyone righteous, even though it is holy, just, and good?

  3. Scripture

    3. How did Christ fulfill 'the righteousness of the law' for us?

  4. Contrast

    4. What is the difference between righteousness being 'imputed' and 'imparted' to us?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. What is the meaning of Prescott's summary statement that 'the gospel is simply the law in Christ'?

  6. Comprehension

    6. Why does an attempt to abolish or change God's law amount to an attack on Christ and the gospel?

  7. Scripture

    7. What scriptural evidence shows that God intends the law to be fulfilled in believers, not merely for them?

  8. Application

    8. In what area of your life is the law currently only exposing sin rather than being fulfilled in you through Christ's indwelling?