This is one that causes many people problems because they see verses where the law is "Holy, Just and Good" and other verses where it says "the ministry of death written on stones".

Thus many take the extreme position that the law of Moses was a bad thing and state that any who say otherwise believe in a salvation of works. This would have seemed ridiculous to many bible scholars of old.

A law is a standard of conduct required. When enacting a law it is of no value unless there is a penalty for those who fail to fulfill the legal requirements. The act will also describe the judicial process to follow in order to enforce the penalty.

That is what law is. In Israel the law was founded on the 10 commandments as a standard of conduct but also went on to describe the penalties, enforcement and sacrifices required to make atonement.

There is no law that states that if you do good your prior transgressions will be forgotten. That is not the purpose of the law. The purpose is to teach people how to behave and to discourage wrongful conduct so that you have Peace.

However, the law of Sinai stated that a sinner was worthy of death. Therefore the law that showed us how to live also brought forth death. This is why you have the wording, "But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious," 2 Cor 3:7 It is the ministry of death because it declares us all sinners but it is glorious because it is the Standard of Righteousness. The law isn’t the fault our failure to live within it is the fault.

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:10-11

This is the point. We are not justified by our works but by the sacrifice of Jesus. This does not make honouring your parents a bad thing, or being sexually moral incorrect. It means your sins are only cleansed in the Blood of Christ.

The Blood of Christ does not mean that you are okay to sin. Paul wanted to make sure they understood this basic point. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!" Galatians 2:17

Obviously if Christ saved you from being a liar you don’t say it is now okay to lie.

"What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." Galatians 3:19-22

The natural law and standard of behaviour existed from creation. This included: the Sabbath, offerings of thanks, honouring God, parents, and neighbours.

Some laws were added: the priests, sacrifices for sins and to make atonement for Israel. Tithes and offerings were provided earlier for thanksgiving only. With the temple there was the judgment on crimes but also a need to make a sacrifice for sin. Other laws were added like Divorce and slavery to deal with sin that existed as well. These priestly duties and sacrifices pointed to Christ. This is why it says the law isn’t against the promises of God. Yet the law didn’t give life, the law convicts us of being sinners and needing to be restored to God.

There is no law that states if you go backwards for 3 miles your past speeding ticket (transgression) will be forgiven. The law tells you what is right and that you need to come before a judge for judgment.

In accepting Christ’s sacrifice for you, your sins (transgressions of God’s commandments) are forgiven. Then you are not free to ignore the law and sin again but are free from a prison of sin and the lust thereof to instead pursue righteousness, without guilt.

Law is holy, just and good in lighting a path to our feet and telling us what sin is, the transgression of law. It is a ministry of death because it tells us we are a sinner and worthy of death. It is Holy in that it points us to the need for a Saviour. I thank God for Jesus, the Lamb of God, who gave His life for you.

That is where faith comes in. You didn’t do anything to deserve God’s mercy. Jesus didn’t owe you a thing. You cant do the right thing for 3 months and earn salvation. God expects you to do the right thing always. But by faith in Jesus, the Son of God, and his sacrifice, you draw near to God with a willing and obedient heart and you demonstrate your faith in your works. The work of putting on the Armour of God and the Spirit of God, of love, and the putting off of the old sinful man. In so doing you put your life in God’s hands in faith alone.