The law is made for man, not man for the law

“The Sabbath (God’s law) is made for man, not man for the Sabbath” is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ criticism. He emphasizes that God’s laws, such as the day of rest, are meant to serve man’s well-being and freedom, rather than to enslave him through strict rules. It is a plea for mercy over legalism.

The basic principle is this: All of God’s commandments are instructions meant to help us succeed in life, not to oppress us! They are “guardrails” designed to protect us from harm. This is how—and no other way—God’s commandments should be viewed. They are good and right.

Let’s take the “Sabbath commandment,” for example. It is important for each of us to rest from work and to find peace, both physically and mentally. Simply to take some time off. Otherwise, it is possible to fall into “burnout syndrome.”

But the religious elite has turned this into a rule that essentially determines whether someone qualifies for heaven or not. This clearly reveals the lack of understanding on the part of religious hypocrites.

What about “Thou shalt not lie, steal, or commit adultery”? Are these bad instructions, or do they serve to protect us? A socially civilized life is only possible if we follow these instructions. So what is wrong with God’s laws and commandments? Exactly—nothing at all!

It is wrong and foolish to think that keeping these rules would make us holy, because they certainly do not! Due to our human sinfulness, we cannot keep God’s rules at all—that is a fact.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Is that true? Of course it is!

But don’t our good deeds outweigh our sins? Aren’t they set against each other?

NEVER! The Roman Catholic Church used this lie to fleece people out of their money for “indulgences,” and because no one had a Bible, such a teaching was simply believed without question. You cannot buy your way out of sin! Man can do nothing to undo any sin. He is stained with sin and unholy. Every one of us!

“Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:7)

This applies to every person. No one can make themselves pure again; it is impossible! That is why it does not come down to “religion” or religious rituals, but to my coming to know Jesus Christ as the Living One!

To better illustrate the problem, let’s take an extreme example, manslaughter. No good deed can undo that. But before God, even the smallest sin counts, because it concerns God’s holiness. Therefore, we need forgiveness not only for major sins, but also for the smallest ones, because impurity is impurity.

Every religion is an attempt to offer something to appease God—or various gods—and to make him or her “well-disposed,” but the Holy One cannot have fellowship with the unholy; he would himself become unclean. That is precisely why the true God had to become human! Otherwise, we would all be separated from God forever and lost.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1–2)

The incarnation of God in Jesus Christ (the Messiah/Savior) was absolutely necessary to create a way back to God for humanity. Jesus’ death was also absolutely necessary, for humanity had to be punished for the sake of justice.

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat; for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

But holy blood was shed for this! The blood of sacrificial animals covered the sins of the Old Covenant, but the blood of Jesus completely took them away. Away from the presence of God. (Hebrews 10)

For the sake of His holiness, God could not simply turn a blind eye. Otherwise, for the sake of justice, He would have to do the same for the fallen angels. Salvation from eternal damnation is reserved for humans only, not for angels. Only those who consciously acknowledge and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can be saved. All others remain under God’s curse. It is very important to understand this.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isajah 53:5)

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

I hope that this short but intense presentation has made it clear that one cannot get into heaven through good deeds, but that someone else, namely the sinless Jesus Christ alone, became the sin offering in our place and his holy blood washes away our sins forever.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1. Peter 3:18)

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24:25)

Conclusion: God’s law is a gift meant to protect us from sinful ways in life. However, due to our sinfulness, humans are neither able nor willing to act according to it; therefore, the commandments cannot make anyone “righteous,” but rather condemn us. Thus, God has prepared an even greater gift for us in Jesus Christ: redemption and liberation from lostness and separation from God.

Amen!