Legal Battles
How can a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9
Christian writings are a-plenty right now. Whether or not they represent the True God needs to be a matter of discernment (even with this post).
Some are quick to say that God loves every one of their readers. He has a wonderful plan for their lives. He will forgive every sin they commit. He is full of grace and mercy and that the law is behind us.
There is some truth in every one of these statements. They just should not be the blanket statement we so frequently read and hear.
God does love His people. The scriptures say He keeps covenant to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments.
God does have a wonderful plan for the lives of those who are also faithful to Him. He is clear that it is obedience that brings blessings (which is not scripturally defined as wealth), not faithful church attendance or faithfully reading a blog, or even faithfully reading the Bible. If we love Him we will obey His commands. These are the words of Jesus himself (John 14:15). If we want a wonderful plan for our lives, we must follow Christ.
God is merciful in forgiveness. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. A born again Christian will not lose her salvation because of sin. She will lose the blessings that come from obeying Him. 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. No such promise exists for the professing believer who refuses to confess sin or keep His commands.
God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is gracious and merciful. John 1 says that He came full of grace and truth. He is also just and jealous of any affection we give to another “god.”
Though the law is not necessary for salvation (Galatians 3:13) (we are saved by faith, not by works Romans 3:28), we must understand and obey it. The ceremonial laws were fulfilled by Christ. He is once and for all our sacrifice for sin. Praise God for this wonderful gift.
Paul, in Galatians, also says that the law is still useful to us. It sets a standard for us to live by in order to please God. The law draws unbelievers to Christ. Galatians 3:24 says, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.”
When Paul says that all of the law would be fulfilled if we would love our neighbors as ourselves, He is quoting Jesus in Matthew 19:17-19. Earlier in that chapter Jesus quoted what God gave us as law for marriage from Genesis 2:24. Paul makes the point again in Romans 13:18-20:
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER,” “YOU SHALL NOT STEAL,” “YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,” “YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
Scripture is clear, if we want to love our neighbor and receive the blessings of the Lord, we have to keep His law. Do we know it well enough to keep it?
Amen. “Do we know His law well enough to keep it?” Great thought to explore today and everyday. 🙂
Thanks Melissa. It is amazing that we can keep on learning because He keeps on teaching us! Blessings.
Dear Beth, I truly appreciate your passion for living out the truth of God’s Word! I have noticed that people sometimes brush off God’s law, but Jesus said he did not come to abolish it but to fulfill it. Without God’s law, as recorded in the Bible, we would very easily decide for ourselves what does and does not constitute truth and sin. Thank you for providing clarity in this.
Thank you, Melissa, It is so true that our nature would be to make up our own truth. Thank God for the clarity Christ and the Holy Spirit bring to the believer.
Beth, good thoughts here. It’s easy to err on one side or the other of law and love. We do need to keep/obey His law, and we need to love as we are loved. God does expect obedience from His children, and that’s not wrong, is it? Obeying His law—His word—is how we show Him love.
Thanks for sharing on this topic!
Yes Jeanne, Obeying His law is the loving thing to do. As I have thought about this over the years I realize that it is His law that shows love. From knowing that my words can be like sword thrusts to having the same compassion as Christ did. Every law we live by shows love to God and love to our neighbor (no murder, adultery, slander, or covetousness.) He is good! Thanks for commenting.
Great thoughts on obeying the law. So much more for us to learn and understand
I am so thankful for grace because I am a law-breaker even though I believe. What would we ever do without forgiveness and second and third and more chances?
Powerful truth, Beth! I think that is the hard balance for every Believer—balancing God’s truth and love. May we all seek to hold both truth and love as we speak God’s message to the world. Thank you for sharing!
Like a sword the word of God pierces our heart, soul and mind. Thank you for the reminder that Paul set out in Gal 3:24.
All God’s laws point to holiness and to God! I agree — we should do our best to obey His law.
This is a good perspective. Even when we know we’re supposed to love others, it’s hard to know how. But God’s law provides direction to teach us.
You are speaking my heart right now! I’m reading a book by a well-known Pastor that disagrees with what you have written. I’m all upset about what he is teaching to the church these days. You outlined my defense for the law very well. Thank you for speaking truth, Beth!
So glad it encouraged you, Marcie. I would love to know what the book is. It is really bothering me how poorly understood God’s law is by those who should be teaching it. I am doing a study right now that you might really like. It is called, “Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically.” I have women really unhappy (ok, convicted) about the way they are calling out the Church to preach the Truth of the scriptures – not what they think people will be comfortable with or what will increase their numbers. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Yes Chloe, I really believe that when Christ says we are to love our neighbors, it is about obeying His laws regarding others.
Thanks for commenting.
Indeed, His laws do point to Him. May you see many blessings as you obey!
You’re welcome, Ava, Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks Lisa, You remind me that our Savior “came full of grace and truth (John 1:14).” So, now we are to be conformed to His image. Thanks for that comment!
Yes, Julie, God’s grace is a precious gift. I never want to presume on His grace but keep trying, as you say, to love Him by keeping His commandments.
Thanks Yvonne, So much to learn is true, that sanctification process is never ending!
Amen, Beth. Obedience is our reasonable response to all that Christ has done for us. I see many Christians celebrate their salvation and daily forgiveness, claiming freedom almost like a prosperity gospel. There are so few who take steps of obedience, who respond to God’s call to follow and sacrifice for Him. This is a necessary message. Thank you for your bravery in writing this.
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Stephen, I believe we have got to back to an understanding of the greatness, and the glory, and the majesty, and the victory of our Great God – or we will continue to place ourselves in the “God owes me” camp. Many blessings as you do your work for this Wonderful Savior!