The law said I must die
For the wages of sin is death
Jesus died that I might live
And enter his eternal rest.
The law was my schoolmaster
That pointed out my sin
But Jesus the greatest teacher
Beckoned me to come to him.
The law was a mission impossible
I could never ever achieve
Jesus accomplished that mission
From its task I’ve been relieved.
The law could show me my sin
But could not help me avoid it
Jesus filled my heart and life
And righteousness became my habit.
The law was bent on punishing me
And all them that disobeyed
Jesus showed me forgiveness
And leads me along life’s way.
The law was an ancient document
Written on tablets of stone
Jesus is the law within my heart
For my sin his blood atoned.
The law could give me no peace
On account of all my sin
Jesus who is the Prince of peace
Came and gave me peace within.
The law could give me no rest
No matter how hard I tried
Jesus aced its every test
And now in him I abide.
The law could not sympathise
Every time I had fallen short
Jesus knows my every weakness
And me he calmly exhorts.
The law was unable to save
Even though some in it did boast
Jesus is my eternal salvation
For he saved me to the uttermost.
The law is ideally suited
For those who prescribe its letter
But Jesus epitomised its spirit
For me, that’s decidedly better.
The law was to the Pharisees
The support for their selfish agenda
Jesus showed the opposite side
And to him I now surrender.
The law could never satisfy
Even though frequently repeated
Jesus satisfies my every need
And for me that matter is completed.
The law was unable to secure
My place in the heavenly throng
Jesus wrote my name in heaven’s book
After forgiving all my wrong.
The law was merely a shadow
Just a sign of those things to come
Jesus became the fulfilment
And my entry to his kingdom.
The law was just a type
It was not the “end all and be all”
Jesus is the only prototype
I’m so glad I heeded His call.
The law was to bring me to Christ
He is the Saviour of the World
Jesus is the only Saviour
And I take him at his word.
The law had no intrinsic power
To resurrect me from the dead
Jesus is the resurrection and the life
And right now he is my Living Head.
The law instructed me to love
But could not even help me start
Jesus came to demonstrate “such love”
Then placed it within my heart.
The law and its stipulations
I now put in the right context
For Jesus is the end of the law for me
In this world and the next.
The law in the challenge it presented
Caused me to stumble and to grope
Jesus, my eternal benefactor
Is my life, my love and hope.
The law had showed me my blindness
But could never open my eyes
Jesus, precious Lord and Saviour
Gives me vision that satisfies.
Now hear the conclusion of the matter
Certainly the one I advocate
The letter of the law is instructive
But it’s to Jesus that I relate.
I must bear my brother’s burdens
And so fulfil the law of Christ
Love the Lord my God with all my heart
This is my required sacrifice.
Upon such the Bible states
Hang all of the law and the prophets
I dare to trust my Saviour’s word
For therein lie my eternal assets.
The law cannot save or satisfy
It cannot secure or empower
Jesus saves and satisfies
And he is with me every hour.
Jesus is the end of the law
To every man that believes
And what in the law I could never do
Through Jesus I have achieved.
The law showed me a perfect God
From whom I had gone astray
Jesus showed me a loving God
And pointed me God’s way.
Thank you God for the law you gave
In its mirror I see myself
Thank you God for your Son you sent
For he defines my wealth.
Thank you God for eternal life
Thank you for the Holy Spirit
Thank you Father for Jesus Christ
In whom I now have merit.
I need no other argument
I need no other plea
Says the beautiful hymn of the faith
It is enough that Jesus died
And that he died for me.
It’s not in the law I place my trust
Not in the law I repeat
But in Jesus my soon coming King
O how precious and how sweet!
Stewart Russell © 2015
