Morning Moments

Continued - 1 Timothy 1:7-11

2. They Have Misunderstood the Message "understand neither..." 1:7-11

Remember that the whole purpose of the Law was to be a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. In other words, if you understood the Law, you would know that it is Jesus plus nothing - not who your ancestors were, nor family fables passed down from generation to generation. There was nothing wrong with the Law - it served its purpose, but why put people back in bondage that Christ had freed?

a. The Purity of the Law "law is good" 1:8

This is an area that so many Christians are confused about. There is nothing wrong with the moral law of God and it is not to be confused with the ceremonial law of Israel. The moral law is found in the Ten Commandments and they are THE moral standard God established for the whole world, though given through Israel.

For example, it is wrong for anyone not to love God with all their heart. It is wrong for anyone to worship idols, etc.. That is God's standard not just for Jews and Christians but for the whole creation. God has not change His mind about that moral standard. Hence, the law is pure.

b. The Purpose Use of the Law "not made for" 1:9a

The law brings an awareness of sin and a need for repentance. The Law is a restrainer of wickedness and evil behavior. The Law is a revelation of the moral standard of God. God is pleased and man is helped when "agape - love" is the basis of our relationships, but that kind of love can only be known by knowing Him through faith in Jesus Christ..

c. The Perpetrators of the Law "lawless...perjured" 1:9b-10a

Obviously the less people love God and one another, the less considerate they will be, and the more they tend to violate what we might consider social graces. The righteous love the Lord and they love people, because God places His love in their hearts, and works in them to will and do of His good pleasure. So, the righteous live by the law of love. The Law is God's measuring stick to reveal what is right. Christians practice righteousness

Notice the characteristics of the violators -

lawless - No regard for law. Criminals who will not observe nor obey any law.
disobedient - No regard for authority - the rebellious - defying God ordained authority.
ungodly - No regard for God - the godless, show no respect or reverence for God.
sinners - No regard for salvation - those who do not measure up the divine standards.
unholy - No regard for holiness - the impure
profane - No regard for decency - defile sacred things. Make a mockery of the holy.
murderers - No regard for parents - those who take the lives of their parents
manslayers - No regard for life - those who intentionally and pre-meditatedly take life
whoremongers - No regard for morality - those who are immoral (all inclusive)
defiled with mankind - No regard for God's design - homosexuals and lesbians
menstealers - No regard for others - kidnappers
liars - No regard for truth - knowingly distort and pervert the truth
perjured - bear false witness

d. The Performance of the Law "according to..."1:11

The list above is the very reason that the law of God must be presented and proclaimed. If people are not taught what is absolutely right and absolutely wrong they begin to make right wrong and wrong right. So eventially that which is abominable to God becomes acceptable with man.

Do you understand now why evil men do not want the Ten Commandments displayed in public - they are a reminder of God's standard and our failure to meet it.