Christ, Our Judge & Lawgiver

Lord, haste the day when we enjoy the writings of clear, concise thinkers like
R. A. Torrey and John Owens! I have been encouraged yet again by but a few pages of our Puritan brother, John Owens. In his work Sin and Temptation, he deals with the efficacy of the Law to prevail over sin. There is, of course, no such thing, as the Law instead acts to give us knowledge of sin (Romans 7:7; "I had not known sin, but by the law"). The Law even manages to magnify our sin, demonstrating our tremendous need of a Savior.

So, what do we do? We strain and strive to live rightly, casting aside the gross, objectionable sins, while paving the way for the dark insidiousness of "blindness, superstition, self-righteousness, and pride." Per Owens, "what sin loses sensually, it gains spiritually" in these various areas. How often we find ourselves mustering in our own strength and resolve to prevail over sin, ignoring "true gospel grace," as Owens terms it. He makes a powerful analogy: "Locking up wild beasts does not change them, for the inward violence remains. Likewise, it is grace alone that changes the heart of man."

I pray today that you find yourselves not in a humanly straining towards holiness, but in a Godward straining towards the Savior. I am convinced that much of our struggle with sin is in an attempt to conquer it ourselves, rather than leaning on the singular One who proved victorious over it. The spotless, righteous Lamb of God, who was in every way tempted, and yet evidenced no inkling of leaning towards it. Surely He shall prove strong to save, and Victor over sin and its entanglements. Surely we would be wise to place our faith in Him. Though we be His disciples, we are often found to be of such little faith, are we not? Choose this day to lean wholly on Him, and not on your own surmising. As the Law demonstrates your need, go to Him for its satisfaction.