Consider this quote from a mega-church pastor named Andy Stanley:
“It’s time that we face the facts and unhitch our faith and our practice from some of these Old Testament values that we can appreciate in their original context, but we really don’t have any business dragging them into a modern context.”
Introduction
In today’s world, there seems to be confusion regarding the Law of God. Two camps have emerged: those who believe it still applies to Christians and those who argue that it does not. This article aims to shed light on this topic and explore its importance for believers. We will examine the different meanings of the term “law” in the Bible, the nature of God’s expressed will, and our inability to keep the law perfectly. Ultimately, the law points us to our need for Christ and His redemptive work.
What is the Law of God?
When we speak of the Law, we refer to God’s expressed will. Just as judges and lawyers govern our society based on laws, God’s law serves as the standard for our conduct. Science, too, recognizes the existence of laws that govern the behavior of the universe. Similarly, the Bible employs the term “law” in various ways, sometimes referring to the entire Old Testament or specifically the first five books known as the Torah or Pentateuch. For this article, I define law as the whole of the Bible.
The Purpose of the Law
“God commanded the man” (Gen. 2:16 NASB)
God, as the Creator, has complete authority over His creation, including humanity. He expects us to behave in a certain way and distinguishes between right and wrong, righteousness and sin. The law represents His expressed will, demonstrating His holiness, justice, and goodness. It is not intended to spoil our lives, but rather to bless and guide us.
The Law and Love
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” (Matthew 22:37–39 NASB).
Jesus summarized the law in terms of love, highlighting its compatibility with God’s commandments. The Ten Commandments, which serve as a comprehensive summary of the law, reveal our duty towards God and others. Love for God and love for our neighbors encompass the essence of the commandments. The law is spiritual and requires obedience from the heart, transcending mere outward conformity.
Our Inability to Keep the Law
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,” (James 2:10–11 NASB).
While the law is meant to be kept, our fallen nature renders us unable to fulfill it entirely. Breaking even one commandment renders us guilty of breaking the entire law. Outward conformity alone is insufficient; the law probes the condition of our hearts. For instance, Jesus equated anger with murder and emphasized the importance of purity of heart. The law reveals the depth of our sinfulness and the impossibility of our own efforts to perfectly keep it.
The Condemnation of the Law
“Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” (Deuteronomy 27:26 NASB).
Our inability to keep the law exposes us to its condemning power. Breaking God’s law incurs a penalty, just as violating human laws results in punishment. The offense of transgressing God’s law is infinite and deserving of eternal wrath. The law, in this sense, condemns us to death. However, the fault does not lie with the law itself but with our sinful nature, which rebels against God’s commandments.
The Law Leads Us to Christ
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe,” (Romans 3:20 NASB).
The law functions as a mirror, exposing our true nature and revealing our sins. Like looking into a mirror that exposes imperfections, the law confronts us with the reality of our sinfulness. It confronts us with our anger, lust, and other sins we might downplay or justify. By measuring our actions against God’s standard, we recognize our guilt and our need for a Savior.
The Inability to Earn Salvation through the Law
“I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead,” (Philippians 3:8–11 NASB)
The law, although holy and just, cannot bring us life or justification before God. Attempting to earn eternal life through law-keeping is futile. It only leads to condemnation. Our efforts to keep the law will always fall short, highlighting our need for an alternative way to be made right with God.
The Law Points Us to Christ
The law serves as a teacher, revealing our need for Christ and His redemptive work. Recognizing our inability to keep the law perfectly, we turn to Jesus, who fulfilled the law on our behalf. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, fulfilling every requirement of the law that we could not. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the penalty of our sins, satisfying the demands of the law and providing a way for us to be reconciled with God.
In Christ, we find the solution to our inability to keep the law. Through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness for our sins and are justified before God. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, and we are counted as righteous in God’s sight. It is not our own works or law-keeping that can save us, but faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
However, this does not mean that the law is irrelevant or obsolete for believers. While we are no longer under the law as a means of earning salvation, the law still has significance in our lives as followers of Christ.
The Law as a Guide for Christian Living
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:1 NASB).
As believers, we are called to walk in obedience to God’s commands. The law serves as a guide for our conduct, showing us the right and pleasing ways of God. Although we cannot keep the law perfectly, it provides a standard by which we can evaluate our actions and attitudes. It reveals God’s moral principles and His desires for our lives. As we seek to honor and follow Christ, we strive to align our lives with the principles and values of the law.
The Law as a Reflection of God’s Character
The law reflects the character of God. It reveals His holiness, righteousness, and love. Through the law, we gain insight into God’s nature and His expectations for His people. As we study and meditate on the law, we develop a deeper understanding of who God is and how we can reflect His character in our lives. The law serves as a mirror that shows us the qualities and attributes that God desires to see in His children.
The Law as a Reminder of Our Need for Grace
Even as believers, we still struggle with sin and fall short of the law’s requirements. The law reminds us of our ongoing need for God’s grace and mercy. It humbles us, reminding us that we are dependent on God’s forgiveness and the work of Christ on our behalf. It keeps us from self-righteousness and points us to the cross, where we find forgiveness and restoration.
Conclusion
The Law of God holds significant meaning and relevance for believers. While we are no longer under the law as a means of earning salvation, it continues to guide us in our Christian walk, reflect God’s character, and remind us of our need for grace. The law ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf and provided the way for our redemption. As we embrace the grace of God and walk in obedience to His commands, we can experience the abundant life and the transformation that comes from living in alignment with His will.
To read more about how love fulfills the law, check out my article on Christian love and obedience.
Looking to strengthen your understanding of Christian apologetics? In our latest post, we dive into William Lane Craig’s Reasonable Faith, exploring how this influential book offers compelling arguments for the existence of God, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reliability of Scripture. Whether you’re a seasoned apologist or just starting to explore the field, this post provides valuable insights for defending the Christian faith with logic and evidence. Check it out to deepen your knowledge and enhance your ability to engage with skeptics.