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"What the law could not do..."

Text: Romans 8:3

THE LIMITATIONS OF THE LAW

The law of Moses was excellent in more ways than one. However, it had limitations.

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak
through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin:
He condemned sin in the flesh, that the
righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled
in us who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:3-4

1. A careful explanation

a) This had to be done.

b) The limitations of the law had to be explained carefully.

c) Paul was not against the law of Moses, for after all, this law came from God Himself.

2. What the law could not do

a) God had given the law to fulfil some purposes:

i) To regulate life and society (Israel is in mind).

ii) To curb the influence of sin.

iii) To punish those who flout the law.

b) Limitations

i) The flesh was weak.

ii) It was also sinful.

iii) It could not take away the powerful penalty of sin.

3. What God did

a) God sent His only-begotten Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.

b) He came to condemn sin in the flesh.

c) He came to fulfil all the legal requirements of the law.

d) Having done that He has freed us from the penalty of sin which is death.

4. The righteous

a) This word describes all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) God has imputed righteousness to all who have faith in Christ and who walk according to the law of the Spirit of life.