Can rules change our hearts?

Nowhere does the Bible say that the law possesses the power to enable us to do what it says.
(I’m limiting myself to a few lines on the law in the Christian’s life – if you want to check out, how Christians are empowered to obey, please click on this link.)

Here is a quote (in black)  from Tullian’s post – a link to his blog is provided at the end of this post.

• The law guides but it does not give us life and change our hearts.
• The law shows us what a sanctified life looks like and plots our course,

but it does not have sanctifying power—the law cannot change a human heart.

John Bunyan hits the nail on the head. “Run, John, run,” the law demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands. Better news the Gospel brings, It bids me fly and gives me wings.

• The law is like a set of railroad tracks.
• The tracks provide no power for the train but the train must stay on the tracks in order to function.
• The law never gives any power to do what it commands.
• Only the gospel has power, as it were, to move the train.

When we receive Jesus and His gift of salvation, the law doesn’t change, nor does it change us -  it is us who change, or rather are changed.
What was once a burden and legalistic misery, stifling and restrictive and impossible, because we were trying to save ourselves, becomes a delight.


Please, please refer to Tullian (on this picture and grandson of Billy Graham)http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/01/27/two-ways-to-realize-radical-obedience/ to take you to Tullian’s blog, his post and all his posts.