Law is Confounded

How Do We Know When Law

is Confounded with the

Gospel

The source for most of this material is C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, n.d.)

Confounded: "To cause to become confused or perplexed. . . To fail to distinguish; mix up: confound fiction and fact." American Heritage Dictionary

LAW IS CONFOUNDED WITH GOSPEL WHEN CHRIST IS MADE A NEW LAWGIVER

We can be sure that the Law is confused with the Gospel when Christ is spoken about as a new law-giver, as one who tells us the new principles or rules by which we can come to God. This flies in the face of the words of the Apostle John who states that Law does not come by Christ. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 KJV) Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to offer the means by which we are saved. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ( John 3:17 KJV). Jesus did not come to give a better law than Moses. He came to give in mercy that which was far greater than Moses could give. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1Tim. 1:15 KJV) Jesus could not be considered a new law-giver by the commands he spoke. He was teaching the fuller meaning of the old Law. What Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount was a fulfillment of the Law of Moses. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17 KJV)

LAW IS CONFOUNDED WITH GOSPEL WHEN LAW IS NOT PREACHED IN ITS STERNNESS; GOSPEL NOT PREACHED IN ITS SWEETNESS

We cannot learn salvation by grace from the Law. The Law does not make us godly. All the Law can do is to show us our sins. (Romans 3:20) This is why the Law must still be preached in all of its terror and conviction. If we preach the Law one iota less exacting than God intends we are hindering the purpose of God's Law. The Law is meant to shock and awaken every sinner to their sinfulness. They must know they are in a disastrous situation from there is no hope without Christ. The Bible teaches that All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." (NIV Galatians 3:10) This strict understanding of the Law must not be dampened, muted or lost.

It is essential for understanding the beauty and sweetness of the Gospel. "The Law must precede the preaching of the Gospel, otherwise the latter will have no effect." [Walther, p. 83] For those who are broken by their sinfulness the Cross is a great salvation. What mercy and grace is revealed in Christ compared to the horror felt under the Law. When we truly recognize the holiness of God and His sovereignty, and we are convinced of how deep we are in our sins, then the Gospel will taste like honey to our souls. We will see Christ is a fountain of living water for our dead souls. We will cry out like Paul, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (KJV Romans 11:33)

Please continue reading this article by going to How Do We Know When Law is Confounded with the Gospel (PDF format)