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Read: Ephesians 5:15-17
Meditation: We usually don't read the New Testament to find
Law, but here Paul gives it to us straight. Paul tells us to live as the
wise, making the distinction of the wise as being those who
"understand what the will of the Lord is." The will of the
Lord is His Law. Convicting as it is, if we don't take time to study and
learn more about the Law, we don't have a firm understanding on what the
will of God is in our lives.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank you for teaching me your will
for my life. Open my eyes and my heart to learn more about your Law so
that I may be wise in your plan for my life. 
Read: Exodus 31:18
Romans 2:14-15
Meditation: God desires that all of us clearly know the what his
will is. Because of this, God gave his commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai,
in order to teach all of his people His will for their lives. But what about
those who are not from Israel (Gentiles)? Because not everyone is descended
from Israel, not all have been taught the Ten Commandments. However, even
those who have not been taught the Law have the Law. Paul tells us that
before Moses (those who have not had the Law), Paul tells us that the Law is
written on every man's or woman's heart. For this reason, those who have not
been taught the Law do not have an excuse, because God's Law is already
written in their hearts.
Prayer Starter: Father, I pray for those who have not been taught
the Law, that they will uncover their hearts and find Your unspoken Law that
is written there. As for me, I pray that You would continue to teach me
about the Law through Your Word, and through those you have sent to teach
me.
Read: Ecclesiastes 7:20
1 John 3:4 James
2:10
Meditation: While scripture is clear that all know the Law, it is
also perfectly clear that none keep it; which is probably why people are
inclined to look past it. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is no one who
never breaks the Law; John explains that although sin and Law often go
together in the same sentence, they are completely contrary to one another;
and James makes a sweeping condemnation as he tells us that even if we keep
the Law 99 percent of the time, we become accountable for that. Because of
this, we understand that we, nor anyone else, can ever keep God’s Law
perfectly; and God’s Word doesn’t expect us to. It’s through this
understanding of the Law, that we accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ as our
Savior and Redeemer.
Prayer Starter: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Your Son to
die for me. I know that I will never be able to live by Your Law 100 percent
of the time. I thank you for Your Law, because it shows me the sin in my
life; therefore, it shows me my need for a Savior.
Read: Romans 3:20 Romans
7:7
Meditation: The Law is meant not only to prevent sin; it also reveals
sin. Paul tell us that this is the only way that sin was revealed to him. In
our Lutheran Confessions it is written: "the chief office or force of
the Law is that it reveal original sin with all its fruits, and show man how
very low his nature has fallen." With this in mind, we can see how
perfect God is, and how there is no way we can ever come closer to him by
relying on our works. Our human nature, when solely relied upon, makes us go
deeper into our fallen state. Therefore, we should value the Law, because it
shows us our sin, which produces a repentant faith within us. The only way
for us to see our sin, is through the revealing word of God’s Law.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for providing a way for my sins to
be revealed to me. Keep me close to You, Father, with that repentant faith
You have given me, not only through Your Law, but through Your Son as well.
Read: Deuteronomy 27:26
Romans 6:23
Meditation: As it is with any Law, there are consequences when you
break it. No consequences of this earth as pertaining to its law can compare
with the consequence of breaking God’s Law. God does not take sin lightly.
We know that the "wages of sin is death". While this is certainly
frightening, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Lutheran
Confessions state that "we are by nature the children of wrath, death,
and damnation, unless we are delivered there from by the merit of
Christ". Because of the major consequence of breaking His Law, God sent
his Son to pay the price for all who believe in him; therefore, we do not
have to labor and worry about paying our own price, Jesus has paid that
price for us.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You again, for sending Jesus for me.
Lord, I am thankful that although I am by nature a child of wrath, death,
and damnation; I am made pure by the blood of Your Son. Teach me Your Law,
Lord, and help me to hold it high in every aspect of my life.
Read: Galatians 3:10-11
Galatians 5:4
Meditation: Though the Law has different uses, there is one thing
for which it is not to be used. Though the Law expresses God’s will;
though it is holy, righteous, and good; and though it has many uses, it
cannot effect salvation. Paul goes as far to say that any who try to use
it for this end have forfeited salvation. For this reason, the Lutheran
Confessions conclude that "it is evident that we are not justified
by the Law. Otherwise, why would there be need of Christ or the
Gospel?" We are justified by faith, not Law, as Paul clearly states
in his letter to the church in Galatia.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank you for saving me by my faith in
Your Son, Jesus! I know that I could not ever achieve salvation by my
own works. I know that I am saved by faith, not by works. Therefore,
Lord, I pray that you continue to keep my faith strong, always
remembering You as the giver of my salvation.
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