What's the Old Testament Good For Anyway?

You don't have to be a Christian for any length of time before you here this phrase:  "I'm a New Testament Christian.  What is the Old Testament good for anyway?"  I am sure that you have heard some form of this statement/question before.  Let's be honest.  This is a good question.  It is a question that must be answered.  It is something that is required if one is going to believe in the complete accuracy and complete reliability of the Bible.  Fortunately, God has given us the answer to this question.  We need to look no further than what the Apostle Paul said to his son in the faith, Timothy, in 1 Timothy 1:8-11 (ESV).  Let's take a quick look.

#1:  Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully...-verse 8

Right off the bat, Paul tells that "the law is good."  This is the first truth that we must grasp if we want to answer this question.  However, there is a condition to this truth.  The law is ONLY good "if one uses it lawfully."  The law is ONLY good if we use it in the right way.  This brings to the forefront another question:  "What is the "right way" to use the law?"  Paul does not leave us to wonder.

#2:  ...understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the...-verses 9ff

The law is NOT given for those who are just.   The law is NOT given for those who are morally upright and good.  Beginning with the last part of verse 9, Paul lists for us who the law was given for.  Trust me, you won't have to look very far through this list to see that the law was given for you.  Prayerfully read through this list.

• The lawless and disobedient-verse 9
• The ungodly and sinners-verse 9
• The unholy and profane-verse 9
• Those who strike their fathers and mothers-verse 9
• Murderers-verse 9
• The sexually immoral-verse 10
• Men who practice homosexuality-verse 10
• Enslavers-verse 10
• Liars-verse 10
• Perjurers-verse 10

Question:  Do you see yourself in that list?  I do.  The sad reality is that I see myself in that list to frequently.  For those of you out there who hold the position that you DON'T see yourself in that list (notice liars is on there), Paul gives on more phrase that WILL include you.

...and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."-verses 10b-11

What did Paul just say?  Paul just said that if you don't find yourself in the above list, then you WILL find yourself in that last statement.  Paul just said that the law was given for those individuals who are guilty of breaking anything that is "contrary" to what the gospel teaches.  This includes you.  This includes me.  This includes everyone because ...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...(Romans 3:23, ESV).  

Getting back to our initial question.  What is the Old Testament (the law) good for anyway?  The answer is quite simple.  The Old Testament is good for pointing out that we are ALL sinners and in need of a Savior.  We are ALL sinners and in need of a perfect, once and for all sacrifice to bring us into a right standing with God.  Therefore, in my mind and in the mind of the Apostle Paul, the law has immense value.  The law points us to Jesus Christ!