Today's readings are Zechariah 10.1-11.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Zech.+10.1-11.3 ) and 2 Timothy 3.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+Tim.+3.1-18 ).
Our reading in 2 Timothy today is one of the most straightforward clear Law and Gospel passages in the whole Bible. In case a reader doesn't know about this Law/Gospel dynamic, it's probably time to mention it.
In the Law, God tells us what we must do to be holy. Do this and live. Don't do it and die. This is God's command, by which a man will live if he does every part of it without fail. God's Law is not restricted to the Old Testament in any way. We see it very clearly in the first nine verses of 2 Timothy 3, often phrased in the negative, saying what is bad, rather than in the positive, saying what is good. To live by God's Law we must avoid all that God says is bad and do all that God says.
In the Gospel, God tells us what he has done to make us holy. Because God has done this we can receive forgiveness and live. If he didn't do it we would die. This is God's proclamation of forgiveness, not based on any works that we do, but entirely based on the works of God. The Gospel is not restricted to the New Testament. We see it throughout the Old Testament as well. But here, in the New Testament reading, we see it, maybe slightly veiled, in 2 Timothy 3.10-17. What has God provided for us? Examples of believers, rescue from persecution, belief in the accounts of Scriptures, which have also been given to us so we can read and understand about the salvation provided in Jesus. And that salvation in Jesus is itself a Gospel statement, as it is by faith we are saved. God's provision of Scripture is a Gospel work because through the Scripture we can meet and receive the Jesus we need.
Do we live by the Law? Not at all. The Law shows our sin and our need for a savior. Do we, in Christ, do the works of the Law? Yes. He shows us what is pleasing to us and gives us a desire to do what pleases him. So we do many of the works of the Law.
Do we live by the Gospel? Most certainly. The Gospel provides us with what we need. Otherwise we would never be pleasing to God. Do we do the Gospel? No. We cannot do the Gospel, as it is what God has provided for us. The Gospel is God's work, not ours.
Lord, seeing the requirements of the Law we confess our sin. Thank you for providing forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. May we return thanks and live in faith, knowing that you are the one who has redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
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