By John Frame and Steve Childers

The highest virtue of love looks like someone who obeys the Ten Commandments out of a sincere love for God and others. But because of sin, no one can fully obey these commands. So why did God give his laws to us?

There are three important ways that God uses his law to advance his gospel of redemption and restoration in Christ. These three “uses of the law” are: 1) to restrain evil in society, 2) to convict people of sin and lead them to Christ, and 3) to guide believers in how they should live.

Though we don’t have the ability to obey fully even one of the Ten Commandments, God, in his mercy, has done that for us in the person and work of his only Son. The good news is that God promises to give you not only forgiveness of sins but also the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, so that, springing from a new heart, you'll be empowered to obey God with new desires.

Lesson Goals

In this lesson, you'll be equipped to:

• Describe the relationship between law and gospel

• Understand the first use of the law to restrain

• Explain the second use of the law to convict

• Share how Jesus met the requirements of the law

• Describe the third use of the law as a guide

• Explain the promise of God’s Spirit to empower

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