I grew up in legalistic environments. Perhaps you can relate. My Christian world was more about the list of do’s and don’ts than it was about a relationship with Jesus Christ. As I grew older, more and more people were breaking away from these environments and the talking point was freedom in Christ. It was a good move…for the most part. Some not only abandoned legalism, but they also took steps to abandoning the Law of God. The latter is not a good move.
One of the catechisms we are looking at this week asks this question. “Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?”
There is a purpose for the Law of God, and it is a detriment to us if we abandon it. Its purpose is so that we can identify the divide between us and God. God is holy. He is perfect. We must also be perfect and holy to be in His presence, but the Law reveals to us that this is impossible. None of us can keep the full law. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
The only thing that makes a relationship with God possible is the total perfection, holiness, and sinlessness that we can receive from Jesus Christ. We will come to this soon in our catechisms. But for now, let’s take note that living in the freedom of Christ is not same as throwing out the Law of God.
God in Everyday Life 