Good Shepherd Community Chapel

Material for a series of sermons delivered by  Pastor Jerry Johnson in the Spring of 2005.

“The Law of Life”

 by Jerry Johnson 

1. What does the “Law” mean?  Does it mean…
   1. The 10 Commandments?  (See Exodus 20.)
   2. The “Torah?”  (First 5 books of the Bible: Genesis through Deuteronomy.)
   3. Any “Do This” or “Don’t Do That” revealed in the Bible?

Below taken in large part from Ungers Bible Dicitionary, Revised, 1966, which deals with the subject very thoroughly and reflects my own less formal opinions.

Law: the revealed will of God with respect to human conduct. 

According to Unger, the concept of “law” is used in six different ways in Holy Scripture:

1)          The Law of Human Government: That which established human government requires of those under its jurisdiction (Gen 9:6; Luke 20:22-25; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-16)

2)          The Law of Moses: a divinely instituted rule of life given to govern God’s covenant people, Israel.  It regulated their common, everyday conduct and was a covenant of works.  They never kept this covenant.  It is superceded by the New Covenant.  It included the summary “Ten Commandments” (Ex. 20:1-17), the stipulations for social life in the “Judgments” (Ex. 21:1-23:33), and worship directives in the “Ordinances” (Ex. 25:1-31:18).  Came to an end – including the Ten Commandments as a way of life - with the death of Christ (John 1:17; Rom. 10:4).  The Mosaic age was preceded by grace and followed by grace.

3)          The Law of Grace: the gracious duty and privilege of not doing that which is displeasing to God and fully discharging that which is well pleasing to Him on the basis of manifesting spontaneous gratitude for His salvation in grace.  It must be carefully noted that the Christian is not under Law (Gal. 2:11-16).  Grace has imparted to him all the merit that he could ever need! (John 1:16; Rom. 5:1; 8:1-2; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:9–10)  

We should note that the religious leaders of Israel had “innocently” accumulated piles of interpretations and explanations of the Pentateuch—things like, how far you could walk on the Sabbath and it not constitute “work.”  They came up with about a 5^th of a mile.  And, (to get around that) we understand that they could place household items in increments of a 5^th of a mile from their home and in that way walk more than a 5^th of a mile and still not “break the law.”  By the time of Christ, these legal opinions, commentaries and illustrations were compiled in a large oral collection called “tradition.”  (later compiled into the Talmud/Mishna)  It was preached to have originated with Moses.  Several times in the “Sermon on the Mount” (in Matthew 5) Jesus refers to this oral tradition and gives GOD’S instructions and perspective on the issues He raises: “You have heard it said of old…, but I say unto you….” 

Christian religiosity has in many ways been guilty of doing the same thing to the teachings recorded in the Old Testament and the New Testament.  We have many “sacred cows” that turn interpretive assumptions and cultural applications, proposed over the hundreds of years since Christ came, into doctrines that carry the weight of divine oracle.  Oh, how many things Christ would refute if we would just read the plain teachings in Scripture and let them speak for themselves in context.  A cursory study of church history will unearth abundant examples.  Just a few: 1) until science rubbed their nose in it, the “church” refused to accept that the world was round; 2) thousands of Anabaptists were slaughtered for holding to the belief that water baptism was a valid testimony of salvation only if there had been a genuine conversion in the candidate’s heart.  3) How about the law that we should not work on Sunday?  4) Or, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”?  (Where does it say that in Scripture?)  5) Or, “We owe God 10%”?  See?  It could get very sticky real quick when you start shooting at sacred cows!  Suffice it to say, we all need to approach the subject of the absolute truth of the Holy Bible with humility, patience and mutual love (to God and one another).  We are saved by GRACE!...NOT our eschatology!

4)          God’s Will: The revealed will of God in any situation becomes a “law” (see my thoughts on question #3 below) to the Christian; although, “God’s Will” embraces all the revealed pleasure of God for any people at any time.  Thus, the word “law” in the Book of Romans is sometimes used in referring to something other than the Law of Moses, i.e., “the law of God.” (Rom. 7:15-25; 8:2-4)

5)          Natural Law Written on the Heart: Distinguished from revealed will of God in that it is what God requires of all his creatures - period.  (Rom. 2:14-15)  [Therefore, all have sinned…Rom. 3:23]

6)          The Kingdom Rule of Life: That law which will be in force in the future millennium (Ezek. 40-48)

2. What role does the “Law” play in our lives today?  Is it that…
   1. The law is only for the non-believer to show them their sin and lead them to Christ?
   2. We who are saved are still responsible to obey the law?  It still plays an important role in the life of the Christian?
   3. To the Christian, the law was replaced by grace and is now done away with.  Anyone who obeys the law is being legalistic and lacks understanding of grace through Christ?

In the dispensation inaugurated by the atonement of Christ, nine of the Ten Commandments appear in the epistles (excepting the “Sabbath day”), not as stern “thou shalt nots,” but as gracious duties and privileges of a redeemed people possessing the Holy Spirit, willingly and effectively carrying them out from the heart  (Jer. 31:31-37, noting Rom 2:29; Gal. 5:18).  See “Law of Grace” above.  [end of reference to Unger’s Bible Dictionary]

We should note also, that as Christians living by faith under this Law of Grace, we do not make the law of God void, rather, we establish it – Rom. 3:31.  Establish: to bring into being on a firm and permanent basis; to show to be valid or true.  Random House College Dictionary.  Indeed, when we are convicted of our sins—our willful violation of the revealed will of God, highlighted by the effects of “the law” in our lives (Rom. 7:7)—and tearfully confess them as such to God in response to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, seeking His free, merciful but unmerited forgiveness, we do most clearly show the law “to be valid and true.”  And…in so doing, we joyfully embrace the standards of the revealed will of God in our lives as our new modus operandi “on a firm and permanent basis” which often sends us back to our knees in confession and repentance, releasing repeatedly the just forgiveness of God and the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit in our life (1 John 1:9).  [As in Ro 7:16:  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

3. What comes to mind when you think about the subject of “law”?

“He hath shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8 (NKJV, as in all cases, unless otherwise noted).

Here we are talking self-control, wisdom, understanding, compassion, empathy and practical care for others empowered by a loving relationship with our Creator!

Note: “mercy” may be translated, “lovingkindness.” 

Love is the law!!!  (Matt. 7:12; 22:37-40; Gal. 5:14)  In a sense, you could illustrate the purpose of the law as to bring order to a busy intersection.  A stoplight is installed to keep folks from running into each other in their hurry to get to their next destination.  Everyone has their own agenda and their own self-centered perspective on getting through the intersection first—hence, the authorities, out of their love for the travelers, inject the law…the stoplight…for their own good.  Then, enter love into the equation…now the folks approaching the intersection see this as an opportunity to meet those whom they love…their love is without prejudice, therefore anybody they meet is fine.  And the others approach the intersection with love.  And they defer to one another.  And they are courteous to one another.  And they stop and have “church” every chance they get à there’s no longer a brittle necessity for the stoplight…love has become the law.  And because they love the Authority, they wouldn’t want to disobey His will (the stop light) for anything in the world!

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15 [see margin in NKJV]).  As “good” citizens of American culture, in our deeply ingrained predisposition to success and achievement, we focus in this passage on keeping the commandments.  We kill ourselves trying to prove we “love” Him, and more often then not our “proof” depends on the opinions and evaluations of other human beings  (Gal. 2:4,6; Rom. 2:1).  But that is not what the Word says: the focus is on loving Him in an intimate, real, dynamic, on-going relationship with the Creator of the universe!!! If we love Him we will spiritually keep “the Law.”  (Gal. 5:14, 22-23) 

And what are the first two characteristics of love listed in 1 Cor. 13:4? –love is patient and kind.  What a wonderful idea!…that we be patient and kind to God…

…patient with Him as He, by the Holy Spirit within us, does His sanctifying, mind renewing work on us…

…kind to Him in our attitude and our testimony as we trust His grace according to His own revealed Word that the work He has begun in us He will complete it!!!!!!! (Phil. 1:6; 2:12)  

Shout THAT from the housetops.  Remember THAT in the hour of failure and the deepest disappointment in ourselves.  Hold onto THAT when suffering beyond our wildest imagination assails us. 

Oh, here is the meaning of “salvation”!  How easy it is to fall back into the mesmerizing tailspin of self-righteousness and hypocrisy secreted and conjured out of the false security of hiding behind the mask of legalism!  (The book of Galatians)  How many ways can we say it?  We are saved by the unmerited favor of God bestowed on His children, “born from above” (John 3:3 – margin). 

10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:10-13 (KJV)

“How simple it is.  We hear the Gospel’s Good News, our heart welcomes Christ, and in a grand supernatural transaction we are forgiven and flooded with new life.  We become God’s children, born anew by an act of God Himself.”  (Lawrence O. Richards, Devotional Commentary, John 1:10-13, p. 760)

Ye must be born again!  (Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 KJV) This is the plain secret, proclaimed and preached and professed and talked around and philosophized by religionists and legalists but experienced by humble children everywhere (Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Lu 18:17 KJV).  This salvation is of the heart – not only a change in direction but also a change in composition!  [And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: Ezekiel 11:19 KJV  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekial 36:26 KJV]

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  1 Samuel 15:22 KJV

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.  Hosea 6:6 KJV

6 ¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

7  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:6-8 KJV

28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  Romans 2:28-29 KJV

It is as His child, born from above, by Him, that we enter into the realities of liberty, not just liberty from a brittle, lifeless legal code, but liberty to walk in a godly manner, a manner that reflects the nature of our new “Dad”!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!”  (Rom. 8:1)  “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  (Rom. 8:6)  “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who dwells in you.”  Rom. 8:11

From The Message, Romans chapter 8:

“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent?  There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all.” (vss. 12-13) 

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.  It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What’s next, Papa?’”  (vs. 15)

“God knew what He was doing from the very beginning.  He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son.  The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored.  We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.  After God made that decision of what His children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name.  After He called them by name, He set them on a solid basis with Himself.  And then, after getting them established, He stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun.

“So, what do you think?  With God on our side like this, how can we lose?  If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else He wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?  And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen?  Who would dare even point a finger?  The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.  Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?  There is no way!  Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

“’They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.’ (Ps. 44:22)

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.  I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”  (vss. 29-39)

Imagine being loved—by God!—like that!!!!!!!

And in believing it we release in our own lives the operation of “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” which law frees us “from the law of sin and death”!  (Rom. 8:2)

Like an airplane pilot, guiding his craft, designed by others much smarter than himself, out onto the runway, trusting those architects to have so fashioned this contraption that it will actually fly using the law of aerodynamics to overcome the law of gravity!  He doesn’t need to understand it…all he need do is believe it enough to set out.

Oh, let God be glorified in our lives by our obedience born of our loving trust, our thankfulness and our praise!  Keep the faith…that living, God given faith (Eph 2:8-9) that produces the fruit of God in our lives!  (Jas. 2:26)

Point the nose of the plane down the runway, push the throttle forward, pull back on the stick…….