Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 3:24, where we read these words, written by Paul:
"Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
The law of God *does* have a role in believers' lives. Its purpose is to drive us to despair, with regard to finding or achieving any righteousness before a holy God on the basis of religious works or good behavior. The law condemns us, and shuts out any and every vestige of hoped-for self-righteousness.
But, thankfully, once the sinner is brought to the utter "end" of himself--he is graciously directed toward the One (Christ) who actually *can* save him. By faith we take hold of Jesus' righteousness, and we are then placed into His body (the church), enjoying all the benefits that have accrued to Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He who has ever been acquainted with God and seen the light of His pleased face would rather die a thousand deaths than forfeit His favor or incur His displeasure." --Robert
Harris, in "The Way to True Happiness"]
