Stewardess, I've Changed My Mind

What purpose then does the law serve? Galatians 3:19

“Would you like a beverage?” the flight attendant asks sweetly.

“I’ll have a diet coke please, ” you respond.

“Would you like a parachute as well?” she calmly adds.

“Huh?”

“A parachute sir. Your life will be much better if you have one…I guarantee it! In fact your life will be full of peace and joy. Having a parachute is the only way sir—I have one, you should have one as well.”

“Thank you, ” you say as you look at her oddly through the corner of your eye, “But I have no need for a parachute, but I am very happy for you and your need to have one. I am glad your parachute gives you peace, comfort, and joy.”

What’s missing?

The attendant, not wanting to upset the passengers, failed to tell them that the plane was in fact going down. Why upset them she likely assumed, they were having such a good time. However, had she shared that little bit of ’critical information’ she would have had more success doling out the chutes.

That’s the purpose of the law!

The law in a sense, lets us know that we are going down--we are in fact all sinners. Tell most folks about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and they will likely respond that they have no need for saving—they consider themselves ‘basically’ good people. The law declares otherwise.

"There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.." Romans 3:10-11

No one seeks after God, at least not until after they realize that God was seeking them first. God sought us by providing the ‘Law’ as a mirror; a mirror that reveals to us how we truly look to Him…Dirty. It is that realization—that we are sinners in need of salvation, that leads us to the parachute that is Christ Jesus.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes… Psalm 19:7-8

In case you missed it…

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

COMPASSION dave

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