--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ongoing function of God’s law is not…" description: "\"“The ongoing function of God’s law is not to serve as a standard to be met for justification but as a guide for Christian living. Thus, according to th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/388/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christian-living_the-ongoing-function-of-god-s-law-is-not_1992648.png" --- # The ongoing function of God’s law is not to serve as a… ![“The ongoing function of God’s law is not to serve as a standard to be met for justification but as a guide for Christian living. Thus, according to the Confession of Faith: True believers be not under the law as a covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned yet it is of great use to…” quote by Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/388/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christian-living_the-ongoing-function-of-god-s-law-is-not_1992648.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/388/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christian-living_the-ongoing-function-of-god-s-law-is-not_1992648.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/388/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christian-living_the-ongoing-function-of-god-s-law-is-not_1992648.png) > ““The ongoing function of God’s law is not to serve as a standard to be met for justification but as a guide for Christian living. Thus, according to the Confession of Faith: True believers be not under the law as a covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned yet it is of great use to them as well as to others as a rule of life.34”” [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Law guides daily Christian living, not as a means of justification but as a practical rule of life. **In simple terms:** Law is a guide, not a judge. Key Takeaway Apply biblical principles to everyday actions. Themes faith law guidance Mood reflective instructive Type theological explanatory When to use this quote - church teaching - personal discipleship Key Concepts theology Christian ethics Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do you let law shape your faith? - How can you balance law and grace? A Different Perspective Legalism can replace grace if misapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-living/) [Justification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justification/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Rule of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“We tend to have a wrong view of law and to think of it as something that is opposed to grace. 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Even if we make the confession of faith, it gives us no title to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-dividing-line-will-run-right-through-the-confessing-church-even/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I have never united myself to any church because I found difficulty in giving my assent without mental reservation to the long, complicated statements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-have-never-united-myself-to-any-church-because-i-found-difficulty/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Diabolical error decks itself out with ease in lying colors with some appearance of truth, so that the force of pronouncement is corrupted by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-clement-xiii/diabolical-error-decks-itself-out-with-ease-in-lying-colors-with-some/) Pope Clement XIII > [“Finally, it is wrong to say that "nothing" is more basic to the identity of the church than suffering. Nothing is more basic to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-a-mathison/finally-it-is-wrong-to-say-that-nothing-is-more-basic-to-the-identity/) [Keith A. Mathison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-a-mathison/) > [“The Liturgy itself is prayer; the confession of faith finds its proper place in the celebration of worship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-catholic-church/the-liturgy-itself-is-prayer-the-confession-of-faith-finds-its-proper/) [The Catholic Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-catholic-church/) > [I have a confession: I have no faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-anner/i-have-a-confession-i-have-no-faith/) [Zach Anner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-anner/) > [“The second sign that the Samaritan woman had been saved was the change that occurred in her life. According to the Bible, a bare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-phillips/the-second-sign-that-the-samaritan-woman-had-been-saved-was-the/) [Richard D. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-phillips/) > [“One must repeat one’s confession of faith from time to time, actually state what one condones, what one condemns; for the opposing camp isn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goetheolfgang-von-goethe/one-must-repeat-one-s-confession-of-faith-from-time-to-time-actually/) Johann Wolfgang von Goetheolfgang von Goethe > [“Many believe that the new birth is caused by a profession of faith, but the situation is exactly reversed: A confession of faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-phillips/many-believe-that-the-new-birth-is-caused-by-a-profession-of-faith/) [Richard D. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-phillips/) > [The poem is a confession of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-poem-is-a-confession-of-faith/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The notion that we are children of God, his own sons and daughters, lies at the heart of all Christian theology, and is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-notion-that-we-are-children-of-god-his-own-sons-and-daughters/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-conviction-that-christian-doctrine-matters-for-christian-living/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) ## More by Sinclair B. Ferguson > [Even those of us who have weak faith have the same strong Christ as others!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/even-those-of-us-who-have-weak-faith-have-the-same-strong-christ-as/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [“Third, hear our loss of focus on the gospel in our songs. This is no comment on musical styles and tastes, but simply an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/third-hear-our-loss-of-focus-on-the-gospel-in-our-songs-this-is-no/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [When the New Testament speaks about the fullness of grace which we find in Christ, it does not mean only forgiveness, pardon and justification.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/when-the-new-testament-speaks-about-the-fullness-of-grace-which-we/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Every day we need our gaze redirected from ourselves to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/every-day-we-need-our-gaze-redirected-from-ourselves-to-god/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The jewels of spiritual service are always quarried in the depths of spiritual experience. Never is this more true than in revival. Bend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-jewels-of-spiritual-service-are-always-quarried-in-the-depths-of/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Contentment is an undervalued grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/contentment-is-an-undervalued-grace/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Where God is at the center of things, worship inevitably follows. Where there is no spirit of worship, there God has been dethroned and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/where-god-is-at-the-center-of-things-worship-inevitably-follows-where/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [“God protects us from Satan even at times when we are not aware of His protection. But how can we develop Jesus-like discernment? By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/god-protects-us-from-satan-even-at-times-when-we-are-not-aware-of-his/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The weakest faith gets the same strong Christ as does the strongest faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-weakest-faith-gets-the-same-strong-christ-as-does-the-strongest/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Do I learn through dark providences, or simply seem relieved when they are over?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/do-i-learn-through-dark-providences-or-simply-seem-relieved-when-they/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [How do we bring glory to God? The Bible’s short answer is: by growing more and more like Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/how-do-we-bring-glory-to-god-the-bible-s-short-answer-is-by-growing/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-conviction-that-christian-doctrine-matters-for-christian-living/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-only-thing-of-my-very-own-which-i-contribute-to-my-redemption-is/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Christian contentment, therefore, is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord and to be totally at His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/christian-contentment-therefore-is-the-direct-fruit-of-having-no/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [You do not become a master musician by playing just as you please, by imagining that learning the scales is sheer legalism and bondage!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/you-do-not-become-a-master-musician-by-playing-just-as-you-please-by/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) [Explore all 119 Sinclair B. Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) ## More Christian living quotes > [“Trauma's storm can mask the Christ and feelings can lie. I draw all the hurting voices close and I tough their scars with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/trauma-s-storm-can-mask-the-christ-and-feelings-can-lie-i-draw-all/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“God reproduces and lives out His image in millions of ordinary people like us. It is a supreme mystery. We are called to bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/god-reproduces-and-lives-out-his-image-in-millions-of-ordinary-people/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“It is up to you. How far you want to go and how far you want to grow. Do not let that your worries,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yilda-rivera/it-is-up-to-you-how-far-you-want-to-go-and-how-far-you-want-to-grow/) [Yilda Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yilda-rivera/) > [“We decide where the time goes. There's so much freedom in that, and so much responsibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/we-decide-where-the-time-goes-there-s-so-much-freedom-in-that-and-so/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [“I look to you, O GOD.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/i-look-to-you-o-god/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The desires of the flesh leads to sin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-desires-of-the-flesh-leads-to-sin/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The Lord seeks to establish status quo before His return. He is gathering His sheep, His birds, His people under His wings, under His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrietta-newton-martin/the-lord-seeks-to-establish-status-quo-before-his-return-he-is/) [Henrietta Newton Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrietta-newton-martin/) > [“Thank you for reminding me that the future is in God's hands.'" "'You're welcome. And remember, wherever you go, in body and mind, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricia-goyer/thank-you-for-reminding-me-that-the-future-is-in-god-s-hands-you-re/) [Tricia Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricia-goyer/) > [“Real men pray. Abraham built an altar, then pitched his tent. His altar had priority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-tenney/real-men-pray-abraham-built-an-altar-then-pitched-his-tent-his-altar/) [T.F. Tenney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-tenney/) > [“The Greek word that Jesus said on the cross and that we interpret as “It is finished ” is the Greek word tetelestai. Tetelestai…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-wheeler/the-greek-word-that-jesus-said-on-the-cross-and-that-we-interpret-as/) Jane Wheeler > [I have a fear of being boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/i-have-a-fear-of-being-boring/) [Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/) > [“God always shows up for people who seek him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mylee-bankston/god-always-shows-up-for-people-who-seek-him/) Mylee Bankston > [“By the anointing of the Holy Spirit, anybody who is afflicted by any phobia can be set free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-okoro/by-the-anointing-of-the-holy-spirit-anybody-who-is-afflicted-by-any/) [Pedro Okoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-okoro/) > [“Don’t ignore or drive away your God sent Davids for you will need them when the life threatening giant Goliaths go on rampage in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikechukwu-joseph/don-t-ignore-or-drive-away-your-god-sent-davids-for-you-will-need/) [Ikechukwu Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikechukwu-joseph/) > [“My parents are humans too. This has been one of my greatest awakenings in adulthood: my parents being regular people, too. They have baggage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-brenner/my-parents-are-humans-too-this-has-been-one-of-my-greatest-awakenings/) [Natalie Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-brenner/) [Browse all 416 Christian living quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-living/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The ongoing function of God’s law is not to serve as a standard to be met for justification but as a guide for Christian living. Thus, according to the Confession of Faith: True believers be not under the law as a covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned yet it is of great use to them as well as to others as a rule of life.34”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sinclair B. 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