Why is it that we need both Law and Gospel in our preaching? George Whitefield could not have put it better when he said,
Whoever is acquainted with the nature of mankind in general, or the propensity of his own heart in particular, must acknowledge, that self-righteousness is the last idol that is rooted out of the heart: being once born under a covenant of works, it is natural for us all to have recourse to a covenant of works, for our everlasting salvation (George Whitefield’s sermon, The Lord Our Righteousness, emphasis mine).
The Gospel is not our default setting. Foolishly, we still hear the command, “Do this and live,” and though this path has been closed off due to the Fall, we still venture down this dead end.
Instead of going down the path of, “Do this,” we must turn to the only path available, “Done,” because Christ has perfectly fulfilled the Covenant of Works, “Do this and live.”
