21 Days of Prayer for the Lost: Day 17
The Role of the Law in Evangelism
Galatians 3:24 – "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith." (NASB)
Most people believe they are inherently good. Either they minimize their sin and justify their behavior. Or they compare their good deeds with their bad deeds, and hope that in the end the good will outweigh the bad. Or they compare themselves with other people and conclude they’re not as bad as others – such as Hitler or Osama bin Laden.
But the problem is we need to compare ourselves with God, because he sets the standard for what is good, and that standard is his perfect infinite righteousness. Relative to other people, we may look pretty good. But compared to God, we look pretty awful.
That’s why it’s essential to use God’s Law in evangelism. In Scripture, the Law reveals God’s will and character, and it reveals how far short we fall of his glory. In order to be saved, people need to understand that sin is disobedience to God. It’s violating his commands.
Romans 7:7 says: “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” (NIV)
Galatians 3:24 explains that the Law functions as a tutor or instructor who leads us to Christ. It teaches us that we are sinners (lawbreakers) who deserve to be punished and desperately need God’s forgiveness.
An easy way to bring up God’s Law is to ask people if they believe there are moral absolutes.
If they say no, ask them if it’s okay to rape another person or murder them for fun. Ask them if they think it’s wrong for someone to break into their home and steal their stuff.
Most reasonable people will concede that certain things are universally wrong. Tell them the reason there are moral absolutes is because there is a moral Law Giver. God has given us a conscience so we can know right from wrong. And he’s given us his Law to guide us.
The ultimate expression of God’s Law is the 10 Commandments. So, open your Bible to Exodus 20, and ask people to compare themselves to God’s standard. Almost everyone will admit they’ve lied, stolen, coveted, lusted, and hated people in their heart.
In that case, it shows they are sinners who are in need of a Savior. And they can’t save themselves for the same reason a criminal can’t acquit himself of his own crime.
The fact is all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We stand universally guilty before the Judge, and our only hope is to plead for mercy and forgiveness. That’s where Jesus comes into the picture!
In short, if we don’t help people see they are sinners, they’ll never see their need for a Savior. And God has given us his Law as a mirror to expose the sinful condition of our hearts.
Things to pray for today:
But the problem is we need to compare ourselves with God, because he sets the standard for what is good, and that standard is his perfect infinite righteousness. Relative to other people, we may look pretty good. But compared to God, we look pretty awful.
That’s why it’s essential to use God’s Law in evangelism. In Scripture, the Law reveals God’s will and character, and it reveals how far short we fall of his glory. In order to be saved, people need to understand that sin is disobedience to God. It’s violating his commands.
Romans 7:7 says: “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” (NIV)
Galatians 3:24 explains that the Law functions as a tutor or instructor who leads us to Christ. It teaches us that we are sinners (lawbreakers) who deserve to be punished and desperately need God’s forgiveness.
An easy way to bring up God’s Law is to ask people if they believe there are moral absolutes.
If they say no, ask them if it’s okay to rape another person or murder them for fun. Ask them if they think it’s wrong for someone to break into their home and steal their stuff.
Most reasonable people will concede that certain things are universally wrong. Tell them the reason there are moral absolutes is because there is a moral Law Giver. God has given us a conscience so we can know right from wrong. And he’s given us his Law to guide us.
The ultimate expression of God’s Law is the 10 Commandments. So, open your Bible to Exodus 20, and ask people to compare themselves to God’s standard. Almost everyone will admit they’ve lied, stolen, coveted, lusted, and hated people in their heart.
In that case, it shows they are sinners who are in need of a Savior. And they can’t save themselves for the same reason a criminal can’t acquit himself of his own crime.
The fact is all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We stand universally guilty before the Judge, and our only hope is to plead for mercy and forgiveness. That’s where Jesus comes into the picture!
In short, if we don’t help people see they are sinners, they’ll never see their need for a Savior. And God has given us his Law as a mirror to expose the sinful condition of our hearts.
Things to pray for today:
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict unsaved friends and family of sin, righteousness and judgment.
- Pray for the opportunity to share with someone why there are moral absolutes.
- Pray for courage and boldness, and be thankful that the truth is on our side.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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