How Then Shall We Live - Part 2

Introduction

On last week we began our discussion of the OT law. We defined what the law is, spoke of its nature, and briefly began to describe its outworking. I want to briefly revisit these issues and then we will discuss the relationship between the law and the Christian today

Background

The law comes after grace and is itself an act of grace. It wasn’t the means of salvation. Israel was already saved. Rather, it would bring continued life and blessing in the promised land, provided it was perfectly obeyed. This was never done by Israel or any individual person. Only Christ ever kept the law perfectly. Yet the law has four key characters that are of interest to us. We must keep this in mind as we are discussing them.

First, it reveals God’s character. Second, it described how Israel could enjoy fellowship with Yahweh under the old covenant. Third, it diagnosis’s who and what we are, while also providing much wisdom. Lastly, it shows how a nation can be blessed before God. This is what its purpose was for ancient Israel and, by extension, the surrounding nations. As we will see, this goal wasn’t accomplished, through not because of the law itself. This leads to the greatest purpose of the law for the Christian, it points us toward the need for the gospel and Jesus Christ.

Exposition

The Law is Good (vs. 7,12)

The OT law, like all of scripture, originates from the LORD. It is God-breathed according to 2 Tim. 3:16-17 which states: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” It does all these things for the believer because it bears His characteristics. It is good. It is holy. It is just and is the unquestioned standard by which we are held accountable. We know good and evil via the law. We know what does and doesn’t please Yahweh via the law. We see our shortcoming via the law. There is nothing wrong with God’s law. It possesses the perfection of the lawgiver. We see the good when the law is used rightly ( 1 Tim. 1:8). What is the right use of the law? Classically, there are been three uses highlighted: To act as a mirror condemning us, a restraining force limiting evil, and a guide showing what righteous living looks it. What then is the problem with the law? Simple. The problem is us.

The Law stirs rebellion (v. 8,11)

The ESV Reformation Study Bible States: “The law is a faithful revelation of what is right or wrong, and does not lose its validity to measure and direct our moral behavior, although its commands lack the power in themselves to produce the obedience that the law rightly demands (8:3; Gal. 3:21).”[1] Gal. 3:21 states: “Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.” We are rebellious by nature, especially concerning the things of God. Like Adam our father and Ever our mother we have cast off the rule of God from over us. We don’t like being told what to do. We really don’t like being told what not to do. Again the ESV Ref Study Bible states: “The evil proclivity of the fallen human heart lies dormant until God’s commands or prohibitions specify boundaries, at which time latent rebellion springs into defiant action.” [2] Simply put, receiving God’s law causes our sinful natures to push back against God’s law. Like Eve we have it in our minds that Yahweh’s gracious boundary markers are really there to withhold what we deem good to us. Bill Mounce writes: “From a human perspective law is mistakenly viewed as a restriction that in turn causes resentment and gives rise to rebellion.”[3]

The Law brings death (vs. 9-10)

Why would the law bring death? Answer: We fail to keep the law perfectly. James highlights this point when dealing with the issue of partiality. James 2:10 - 11 states: “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” There is no picking and choosing when it comes to God’s law. It must all be kept or it is a waste of time to keep any of it. There are no excuses. Oswald Chambers writes: “The moral law does not consider us as weak human beings at all, it takes no account of our heredity and infirmities, it demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never alters, either for the noblest or for the weakest, it is eternally and abidingly the same. The moral law ordained by God does not make itself weak to the weak, it does not palliate our shortcomings, it remains absolute for all time and eternity..... When we realize this, then the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a man gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Jesus Christ is a farce to him.”[4]

The Law leads to Christ

When we realize we are absolutely unable to perfectly keep God’s law and therefore are in a truly despite state, then we can see the need for the gospel and our urgent need for Christ. Augustine stated: “But God commands some things which we cannot do, in order that we may know what we ought to ask of Him. For this is faith itself, which obtains by prayer what the law commands.”[5] John Piper puts it this way: “This was the aim of the Law: that we might come to see the glory of Jesus Christ the Lord as the foundation and the focus of our justification and sanctification. And not only the foundation—providing a perfect righteousness and sacrifice—and not only the focus—providing an all-satisfying object of faith—but also the veil-lifting means of seeing and savoring himself—this is “from the Lord, the Spirit.” Seeing the Lord is from the Lord.”[6]

Practical Application

Why do we study the law of God? Because he shows us how He is, who we are and our need for him, and how we may please him. The OT is the word of God and contains, principles, patterns of practice, and moral norms that still apply to us today. [7] None of these things are repudiated by the NT. It is valid to look at the OT for guidance in answer to the question, How Then Shall We Live.

Gospel Application

If you are listening and don’t know the Lord, I hope you understand the nature of your situation. There is nothing you can do to earn the grace of God or rewards from God. Neither can anyone satisfy the justice of God. All of God’s law must be kept perfectly because the lawgiver is perfect and He will accept nothing less. This is the bad news and I hope you see how bad it is. Yet this is not the end of the story. We don’t have to remain in despair or throw our hands up and ask why bother. There is hope. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. He did what we couldn’t do and offers us benefits we didn’t earn and don’t deserve. In response he calls us all to repent and believe in him. Those who place there trust in the Lord will be saved. Acknowledge your sin and guilt before God. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he was born of a virgin and lived a perfect life, died on the cross and rose again on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Ask him for forgiveness and to be received into his kingdom. Confess him as savior and lord and you will be saved. Don’t delay. Repent and believe the gospel today.

Bibliography

1. Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 1990). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.

2. ibid.

3. Mounce, R. H. (1995). Romans (Vol. 27, p. 164). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

4. Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

5. Augustine of Hippo. (1887). A Treatise on Grace and Free Will. In P. Schaff (Ed.), P. Holmes (Trans.), Saint Augustin: Anti-Pelagian Writings (Vol. 5, p. 457). New York: Christian Literature Company.

6. Piper, J. (2014). Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

7. Schreiner, T. R. (2010). 40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (p. 99). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.