November 26th: The Law of God

Speaker: Chris Laws
The place of God’s Law in the Christian’s life - God’s manual for holiness

We need to explore the function of the OT Law – the TCs – further.

KEY TO THE STUDY
Lev 19.2, Moses just before giving the whole Law (TCs) again: “Ye shall be holy: for the Lord your God is holy.”
Reason for holiness but more. Our response: ‘What shall I do, Lord, to become more holy?’
The commandments which follow explain.
‘This is what I hate, this is what I love.’ This is what God is like.

The Law reveals God’s character to us.
Eg: Thou shalt not steal. He hates stealing, He loves the opposite – generosity, benevolence, care.
God is generous, bestowing so many gifts.
Eg: Thou shalt not kill. He hates death, He loves to bestow eternal life. No one will ever perish in Heaven.
These are the warnings to heed and virtues we must pursue.

Moses also explained there is much more to the TCs than their face value.
Each commandment is the chief sin of a ‘family’ of sins.
So the TCs provide a manual for holiness. So much guidance for a holy life.

PRIMITIVE VERSION?
Some say, ‘The OT Law is an early, primitive version of God’s Law today. We have the better Law of Christ.’
Far from it! Three reasons why not.

1. God’s likes and dislikes do not change. Malachi 3.6 “I am Jehovah, I change not.”
He always has been benevolent. Always loved to give life.
The TCs remain a reflection of God’s character, and provide a model for us to copy.

2. The TCs are provided to guide NT believers
Peter exhorts believers: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [conduct]; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet 1.15-16). Quoting Leviticus.
To guide NT beievers in all manner of conversation [conduct].

3. The TCs are for spiritual people.
Paul, Romans 7.12-14: “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good...The law is spiritual.”
The TCs are not only affirmed by Christ and the apostles, but “spiritual” – specially for us. Our guide for holiness.
Here is the beauty of holiness laid out.
Here is guidance for the believer. Standards that ought to be seen in us.

THE TCs ARE PERMANENT
All other regulations in the OT were temporary and are not reaffirmed by Christ and the apostles. 
None of the ceremonial is urged on Christians in the epistles.
The reverse: the Judaisers taught “another gospel” of ceremonial + grace. Disastrous.
The TCs only were written by the finger of God. God’s character hasn’t changed.
BCF 19.6 The Law “ is of great use to [believers]...because as a rule of life it informs them of the will of God and their duty and directs and binds them to walk accordingly.”

THE DUAL ROLE OF THE LAW
Unbelievers: This is an age of anti-law.
The TCs are binding on all men. Unwelcome today. ‘What suits me is right for me.’ Rejected, scorned, overturned.
For seekers they are a burden. Not achievable. Unpleasant.

Believers: This age is influencing the churches. People argue (last time) that they are no longer binding.
They misunderstand Paul: “We are not under the law, but under grace.”
Paul means this: ‘we are no longer subject to the law, as requiring perfect righteousness’ (Calvin). We are not under:

(1) The guilt of sin. Gal 3.13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.”
(2) God’s wrath & everlasting condemnation.

The TCs are a spiritual guide and a help. “They shall be in thine heart…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart...soul...might.”
They constitute a Law of great beauty. You can tell a Christian because he loves them. This is what his Father wants.
A supreme ideal to attain. Rom 13.8-9 “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet...is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself...love is the fulfilling of the law.”

THE USE OF THE LAW
Each commandment is about a ‘family’ of sins. Two examples.
1. Murder command includes violence, kidnap. Murder of self respect.
Exodus 21.12 “He that smiteth a man, so that he shall die, shall surely be put to death. (21.15) “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” (31.16) “And he that stealeth a man and selleth him...he shall be surely put to death.”
Christ (Sermon on the Mount) puts hatred into the murder ‘family’ (Matt 5.21-22) “Ye have heard that was by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...whosoever shall say, Thou fool...”
The opposite virtues: Our task now is to love souls. To labour that they find life.

2. Adultery. Disloyalty. A great warning of such a self-destructive force.
Loyalty to the Lord. James 4.4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that that the friendship f the world is enmity with God?” Worldly music alongside devotion to God.
Loyalty to the Truth. Loyalty to our calling.

NATIONAL (ENGLISH) LAW
Our task is to be law-abiding.
2 Pet 2.13: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors.”
Rom 13.1: “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”  Even Nero.
Rom 13.6-7: “render…tribute…custom…” Pay taxes, obey the law “for the Lord’s sake”.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”

Why are we told to obey our civil leaders? So many are atheists, self-seekers, ungodly, corrupt.
Imagine the decline of last 30 years continuing for 6000 years unabated ever since the Fall. Hell on earth would have arrived long ago.
Why hasn't the decline continued ever downwards? Everybody loves sin.
Answer: God prevents it. Ps 65.7: “stilleth the noise of the sea, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.”
The proud waves (nations) are contained, but how?

He uses governments and authorities, even evil ones as a restraint.
Dan 2.21: “He removes kings and sets up kings.”
Dan 4.17: “The most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men.”

Only if there is a conflict should we “obey God rather than man” (Acts 5.29).
Nebuchadnezzar, etc. Daniel served him but would not disobey God.
God judges nations through evil rulers.
Governments are like snow fences holding back the avalanche.
God is holding back the inevitable disaster. Why?
So we can preach the Gospel. Sunday schools, churches, evangelism.

Work while we have opportunity. The time is coming when no man can work.
The Gospel is ultimately the only way to drag people out of the pit of ruin.

CHURCH RULES
Everything is to be done decently and in order.
But a steward may decide to wear jeans, insisting we shouldn't “be subject to ordinances after the commandments of men” (Col 2.20).
James’ perfect answer is in Jas 2.8,12; we are to keep “The royal law…of liberty.”
It is called royal because we are members of the royal family, with dignified conduct, jealous for God’s reputation.
OT converted believers shared this.
Puritans: “It is called a law of liberty, because it is freely and willingly kept by the regenerate, to whom it is no bondage or burden.” Our motto.

We willingly do things decently and in order for the sake of Christ.