Walking on a New Footing

“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” 1 Timothy 1:8–11

Have you ever tried to follow rules without really understanding why they exist? Sometimes we think that just knowing the law, or quoting it, is enough to live rightly. But the Bible shows this isn’t the case. In our text, God warns about people who want to teach His law but don’t really understand it. They speak confidently, yet their hearts are not aligned with God. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, offer a vivid example. They were priests, intimately familiar with God’s law, but they acted on what seemed right to them instead of following His command. They offered unauthorised fire before the Lord, and it cost them their lives (Leviticus 10:1–2). Their story reminds us that knowing God’s rules without understanding Him can be dangerous.

The law is good in itself. For those who are outside Christ, it exposes sin, reveals our rebellion, and shows the need for God. It confronts the lawless, the irreverent, murderers, the sexually immoral, liars, and anyone acting against sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:9–10). For those in Christ, justified by grace, the law does not condemn. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Instead, the law works with the Spirit, reminding us of what Christ has done and guiding us in love, godliness, and a good conscience. It is no longer a heavy burden but a mirror that shows the way the Spirit shapes our hearts.

Healthy teaching is easy to recognise. It aligns with the gospel of God’s glory, reflecting His grace in Christ, the revelation of His glory, and the inheritance He has given us (Ephesians 1:3–14, John 1:14). It agrees with the words of Jesus (Matthew 5–7) and produces godly living, shaping our hearts, consciences, and actions (1 Timothy 6:3–4). False teaching spreads like gangrene, leading to confusion and harm (2 Timothy 2:16–17).

Jesus Himself faced teachers who misused the law. The Pharisees and Sadducees burdened people with rules to control them rather than point them to God (Matthew 23:1–4). Yet Jesus calls the weary and burdened to Himself for rest (Matthew 11:28–30). Godly sorrow over sin leads to repentance, but condemnation has no place for those in Christ (2 Corinthians 7:10). The law exposes sin, but only God’s mercy and the Spirit’s work can free the heart.

As believers, we are on a new footing. Our faith in Christ purifies our hearts and guides our consciences so that love flows naturally. We are not called to earn God’s approval by keeping rules; we are called to live in the Spirit, bear fruit for God, and walk in freedom. The law shows sin for those outside Christ, but for us, it points to God’s mercy and the work of the Spirit, leading to life, love, and godliness. The point is this: am I approaching God’s word with understanding or just memorising rules? Do I allow His Spirit to guide me in love, or do I rely on legalistic thinking to measure my righteousness?

Lord, help me to understand Your law not as a burden, but as a mirror that points me to You. Teach me to walk in Your Spirit, bearing fruit in love, and help me discern healthy teaching that aligns with Your glory. Guard me from false teaching and remind me that in You there is no condemnation, only life and freedom. Amen.

Kay Alli