The Law - Is It For The Righteous Or Unrighteous?

Moving on into 1 Timothy.

Brothers and sisters, we must keep our bodies holy for they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Today we are bombarded with things, images and thoughts that war against us. 

• 1 Corinthians 6:19 ISV   You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don't you? You do not belong to yourselves, 20because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies.

• Proverbs 4:23 ISV Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life.

We must protect our eyes and ears and not listen to or love the world system. We should not look at and lust after the things that destroy those who are perishing .TV, radio, magazines, talk show hosts, books, video games, etc, are trying to destroy our souls. We are to take every thought captive and keep our mind on Christ. 

Do not forget the 5 virgins in Matthew 25. 10 virgins were surprised when the bridegroom came, but 5 either did not have oil or did not have enough oil. After they went and bought oil, they tried to get into the wedding banquet, but were told by the Lord "I never knew you". If we are living for the cares of life and polluting our hearts and bodies, will we find ourselves hearing "I never knew you"?

1 Timothy: ISV

8Of course, we know that the Law is good if a person uses it legitimately, 9that is, if he understands that 

the Law is not intended for righteous people but  

• for lawbreakers 
• and rebels, 
• for ungodly people 
• and sinners, 
• for those who are unholy 
• and irreverent, 
• for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people, 
• 10for those involved in sexual immorality, 
• for homosexuals, 
• for kidnappers, 
• for liars, 
• for false witnesses, 
• and for whatever else goes against the healthy teaching 11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12I thank the Messiah Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. 13In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me, along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah Jesus. 

15This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:

To this world Messiah came,

sinful people to reclaim.

I am the worst of them. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner, the Messiah Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.