The Law of God for Today

THE LAW OF GOD

What is the purpose of the law?  Is the Christian free from the law?  The answer to both questions is NO.  The laws of God reveal the definition of sin and therefore righteousness as well.  John the Baptist began his ministry preaching:  Repent and be baptized.  Repent of what, you may ask?  Repent of your sin and lawlessness.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I would not have known sin except through the law. For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, "Do not covet." But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead.  (Romans 7:7-8 NET)

Sin is the transgression of the law (also translated as lawlessness).  No law, no sin, but the law of God is still present and it is not difficult to keep the law particularly with the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.   (1 John 3:4 KJV)

No one can be declared righteous by the works of law, because the purpose of the law is to give us the knowledge of sin.  We are also not saved by the works of the law.

For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.   (Romans 3:20 NET)

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith! For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:27-28 NET)

It is an individual’s duty to keep the law of God.  Even the unredeemed have a certain amount of ingrained sense of “right and wrong”.  Prior to the media peddling large quantities of porn, filth, and crime most people maintained an innate moral consciousness.  The individuals or group that owns and operates Hollywood and television media can be known.  I receive instant castigation when it is exposed so do your own research.  It is easy to find.

Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NET)

There is only one God in the entire Bible, not two:  one in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament.  The God of both testaments is the same God.  Some believe they worship Jesus Christ of the New Testament and not the law-giving God of the Old Testament.  Jesus is God.  Jesus and God the Father are the same God.  Yes, there was a separation of sorts when Jesus walked the earth as a man:  no one actually understands the separation of personages but it happened.  A commentator can expound to infinity but will never explain or understand the triune nature of God:  It is so unexplainable that a few individuals just merely deny it.

Who gave the law to Moses?  The triune God:  that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Yes, Jesus, as God the Son, gave the law and statutes to Moses and the children of Israel.

What is the Greatest of the Commandments?

A Pharisee expert in religious law asked Jesus a question as a test of His abilities:  “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  Of course, Jesus, God the Son, who gave the law to Moses knew the answer from the creation of the world.

Jesus said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40 NET)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind, plus, love your neighbor as yourself.  The person who loves the Lord and his creation will desire to follow and uphold the law.  A deep love of God is the essence of the law.

Did Jesus Do Away with the Law?

Jesus’ purpose was not to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill all details of the law.  Some claim that Jesus fulfilled the law and therefore did away with the law.  However, He proclaims that only when heaven and earth are no more will any part of the law pass away.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. (Matthew 5:17-18 NET)

Are We Justified by the Law?

The law of God gives us direction for loving God and our neighbor.  The law never gave justification, either in the Old Testament, the New Testament, or now.

Yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.   (Galatians 2:16 NET)

One is not justified by keeping the law and one is not justified without keeping the law.  A justified individual through one’s faith will keep the law which will be manifest in the show of works.  To love God and one’s neighbor will be manifested in acts of love (or the law or works).

So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.  (James 2:17 NET)

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.  (James 2:26 NET)

Which Commandments are Necessary to Keep?

It is necessary to keep all the commandments.  Even Paul admitted to breaking the law on occasion.  However, through repentance we are freely justified by the grace of God through the redemption of Jesus, the Son of God.

For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.  (James 2:10 NET)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 3:23-24 NET)

The baptism of Jesus Christ (death and rebirth) into the Kingdom of God indicates we know God and we keep His commandments.  The person claiming to know God but willfully sins is mistaken and according to John, “is a liar and the truth is not in that person”.  Only by obeying the laws of God can one truly know the love of God and project that love into the world.

Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. The one who says "I have come to know God" and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.   (1 John 2:3-6 NET)

The Commandments of the Kingdom of God

THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Kingdom of God (or Heaven) is not exactly identical as a citizen of a particular country.  As an example, a citizen of the USA can be a fine upright person obeying the laws of the land, not stealing that which isn’t theirs, and possessing a certain love for their country.  Others can be a birthright citizen, refuse to have a job but prefer to live on welfare checks, steal things they desire but don’t have, only obey laws that suit them, and prefer the government be some form other than what it has always been.

A citizen of the Kingdom of God only desires one government and leader.  The government is the essence of the Sermon on the Mount and the leader is always and only the King Jesus Christ.  Jesus did not appear to re-preach the law of Moses, He came to fulfill every jot and tittle of the law, and He accomplished that task.  At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made the following comment concerning His teaching.

So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:19 NET)

THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS

Exactly what are the commandments of Jesus?  I’m glad you asked.

Blessed are the poor in spirit – (for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them)  This Greek word was often used of a beggar who was dependent on a provider. In the Old Testament this implied hope in in God only.  This does not refer to physical poverty, but one of a spiritual nature. The Kingdom citizen must recognize their personal inadequacy and their need to constantly rely on God through Jesus Christ.

Blessed are those who mourn – (for they will be comforted)  This Greek word means "loud wailing”.  The Kingdom citizen will mourn for their personal sin and be repentant.  God comforts all who believe and trust in Jesus.

Blessed are the meek – (for they will inherit the earth)  This does not mean, blessed are the sissies, but rather those who perform with their personal talents and with the means and goods at their disposal rather than constantly whine and complain.  The Greek origin implies domesticated strength, as a trained horse.  The Kingdom citizen must recognize his need for God and to direct one’s strengths to the purpose of Jesus.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – (for they will be satisfied)  This is a present active participle describing the basic ongoing spiritual needs of mankind.  This phrase reflects a Kingdom citizen’s ongoing attitude toward God.  It means to do that which God requires.  It involves both justification and justice as well as sanctification and sanctified living.  The remainder of the scripture phrase is “for they will be satisfied.”  The word “satisfied” literally means "gorged," and was a term used of fattening cattle for market.

Blessed are the merciful – (for they will be shown mercy) The word merciful is the result of knowing God.  It is the Kingdom citizen’s ability to put one's self in another's situation and act with compassion.  “They shall receive mercy” is a future passive tense meaning, mercy is for now in this age.  It is a missing ingredient of Pharisaism then and legalism of today.

Blessed are the pure in heart – (for they will see God)  The Greek word for pure can mean either:  single-minded; focused; or cleansed.  It was used in the Old Testament for ritual washings.  The emphasis is on the heart, the center of the Kingdom citizen’s being and not the intellect or ritual religious actions.  Purity opens the spiritual eyes to view the creation of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers – (for they will be called the children of God)  This compound word only appears here.  It refers to reconciliation between God and humanity, which results in peace between persons. However, this is not a peace at any cost, but peace through repentance and faith.  The word “children” can also be used as “sons” which would be “sons of God”:  a phrase usually reserved for angels in the Old Testament but is used here to refer to any child or citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness – (for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them)  This refers to those who have been or continue to be persecuted by an outside source:  such as Satan, demons, or unbelievers.  This persecution can even be considered an expected reality for the Kingdom citizens in a world where the fully realized Kingdom of God is still future.  The persecution, if occurring, is due to the lifestyle and witness of the kingdom believers.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of Me – (Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way)  The words “insult” and “persecute” are both aorist subjunctives which represent a possibility but with a conditional structure which showed it was a possiblility.  Versions of persecution may be possible for believers but they should not be desired or pursued.  Jesus stated that Kingdom citizens who live and witness for Him will be rejected and persecuted until the Kingdom of God is fully realized.

Matthew 5:3-12 NET  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.  (4)  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  (5)  "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  (6)  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  (7)  "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  (8)  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  (9)  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.  (10)  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.  (11)  "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.  (12)  Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Salt of the Earth

Salt is always salt unless it has undergone a chemical reaction, but then it is not salt.  It can only lose its saltiness if adulterated such as being mixed with substances other than salt.  Salt that was unusable as a preservative or flavor enhancer was absolutely useless. It was thrown on the footpaths or roof tops to form a hard top seal. Salt taken from the Dead Sea had many impurities. The people in this part of the world were accustomed to unusable salt.

Salt is a preserver and Kingdom citizens are the preserving influence of the world.  It the salt is diluted by things of the world, it is of no use but to be thrown out.  Unusable salt during the earthly days of Jesus were thrown into the street or road to kill grass and harden the pavement.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people.  (Matthew 5:13 NET)

Light of the World

Light has always been a biblical metaphor of truth and healing. It was used by Jesus to describe Himself:  (John 9:5 NET)  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  All Kingdom citizens are a light of the world.  The question is:  What kind of light?  If your light is hidden as under a basket, it cannot be seen and lacks usefulness.  One’s light should be open and visible to demonstrate one’s citizenship of the Kingdom.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 NET)

Other Commandments

It has been said, “Do not murder” but Jesus proclaims the righteous will not hate, insult, or call a brother a fool.

"You have heard that it was said to an older generation, 'Do not murder,' and 'whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.' But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says 'Fool' will be sent to fiery hell.   (Matthew 5:21-22 NET)

It has been said, “Do not commit adultery” but Jesus proclaims one should not look at a woman with desire.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  (Matthew 5:27-28 NET)

It has been said, “Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document” but Jesus proclaims that one should not divorce except for immorality.

"It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

(Matthew 5:31-32 NET)

It has been said, “Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord” but Jesus proclaims that one should not take an oath under any circumstances.  Either say “yes” or “no”.

It has been said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” but Jesus proclaims that one should not resist the evil person.

It has been said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy” but Jesus proclaims that one should love enemies and pray for persecutors.