HOW THE STUDY OF THE LAW HELPS OUR GROWTH
I believe the thief on the cross if he had been exonerated and let down would have went on to study the torah (law) and make himself a better believer. An inspired believer has a burning in his heart to learn more about the savior. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39) On the other hand, an unbelieving thief may continue in his sins and not learn from God and the Bible what is right and wrong according to the Scriptures. If a person does not search the bible and fails to see how the law is our school teacher and Jesus fulfilled the law, then he is missing a great thing in life. Today, we have people argue the law can't help a Christian, but they are deceived. Read and memorize 1 Timothy 1:8. "8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." (I Timothy)
Notice in verse 10, the law helps us establish sound doctrine. It points out that the law is made for "whoremongers", a person who engages in sexual immorality. Many churches today are suffering this immorality among their leaders and followers. If they truly repented from this sin, they could learn by the law what is right and what is wrong concerning the things about sex. See my paper "The Precept Of Marriage".
Links:
Men-stealing vs Slavery Precept