The Law of God

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13. THE LAW OF GOD In the Bible, we find in different occasions God giving to His servants laws and commandments that provide instructions about what should or should not be done.

There are many different ideas in regard of the role of the law in the plan of salvation. Some say it should be kept in order to be saved. Others say it does not need to be kept, because we are under grace.

During this study, we will see what this law is all about and what the Bible says regarding its role in God’s plan of salvation.

1. WHAT IS INCLUDED UNDER GOD ’ SDOMINION AND WHAT ESTABLISHES ITS RULES?

 Psalm 103:19-20 God’s kingdom rules over all. Nothing is excluded. The angels, who are part of God’s kingdom, obey what establishes the rules of that kingdom, the word of God.

In order to be part of God’s kingdom, we must submit ourselves too to the word of God.

2. How does the Bible Describe the Commandments of God?

 Psalm 119:172, 142 (Psalm 111:7-8); Psalm 19:7 The commandments of God are righteousness. The righteousness of God is eternal. Therefore, His commandments are eternal.

The law of God is truth. The law of God is perfect.

The divine origin of the law is shown by its power to convert the soul and to make wise those who are simple (in regard of the testimony of the Lord see also Exodus 31:18).

3. What is the Purpose of the Law of God, According to the Bible?

 Romans 3:20 (Romans 7:7); James 1:22-25; 1 John 3:4 The purpose of the law is not to justify men in the sight of God. Even if we do good works this will not counterbalance our previous sins.

The law’s purpose is to point out sin to sinners. It is like a mirror showing us what our situation is, to see that we need help from God. 2 13. The Law of God – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 The law defines sin, because sin is the transgression of the law. Knowing there is a law and yet living as if there is not one is to sin. It is for our good that God asks us to follow His law, which is a law of liberty.

4. What does the Law of God Say?

 Mark 12:28-31; Exodus 20:1-17 Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to recognize there is only one God and to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength.

The second most important commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Both these commandments are found in the Old Testament (see Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18).

In the book of Exodus, we find more specifically how God desires us to express our love for Him and for our neighbors.

These are known as the Ten Commandments, pronounced by God from mount Sinai (see Exodus 20:1,18) and written by His finger on tablets of stone (see Deuteronomy 9:10).

5. Did Jesus Confirm the Law of God?

 Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28 Yes, He confirmed it and clarified it, after centuries of human misinterpretations. To break a commandment and then teach others to do the same would imply to be considered as the least in the kingdom of heaven and to lose the opportunity to enter there.

Jesus quoted two of the Ten Commandments, the 6th and the 7th. In doing so He explained that just thinking or planning of breaking one of these commandments, even without actually doing that later, is enough for God to consider it a transgression of His law. This is a strong confirmation of the law given by God at mount Sinai.

6. SHOULD WE CONSIDER THE LAW OF GOD ESSENTIAL EVEN AFTER JESUS ’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION?

 Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12 These are prophetic visions given to the apostle John at the end of 1st century AD. Satan is described as being against a group of people with two peculiar attributes. One of these two is that they keep the commandments of God.

Those who are called saints are also described as keeping the commandments of God. Keeping the commandments continues then to be essential in our relationship with God.

7. Is It Really Necessary to Keep All the Commandments of God?

 James 2:8-12 13. The Law of God – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 3 If we break just one commandment, it is as if we would have broken all of them. It is clear by the text that James is here speaking about the Ten Commandments.

8. What Should Be Our Reason for Keeping the Commandments of God?

 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 5:1-3 (John 14:15) The love of Christ constrains us, so that we no longer live for ourselves, but for God and for our neighbors.

The love of God is expressed in the fact that we keep His commandment and they are not grievous to us. That is how powerful the love of God is and how it can really change us.

The love of God is the only and most powerful motive that the Bible gives us for keeping the commandments of God. There could be no better reason for doing that!

Appeal

God’s love for us makes the keeping of the law even a greater blessing, being a pleasure and a delight (see Psalm 40:8, 1 John 5:3). It is our privilege to receive this blessing today.

Wouldn’t it be beautiful to be free from guilt and in harmony with the will of God?

Do you want to take the decision today, as an answer to the love of Jesus and through His power, to keep the commandments of God in your life?