God's Morality In the Law

We are all governed by law in some way. A law’s jurisdiction is the established boundary that protects and preserves its subjects. Lawmakers perform their duties by translating morality principles into written format which law keepers (e.g., police and judges) are to uphold. I think it’s fair to say that we most often hear about the law when someone breaks it. We might even go so far as to say that our relationship to the law is a fearful one. As a result, our conception of it begins to skew towards what it can do to us rather than what it actually is, what it represents.

Before we get to God’s Law, let’s consider human law…

In America, given the decline of biblical morality, the law has been put on trial. This reflects man’s contemporary morality being at odds with that which was held hundreds of years ago. Laws that were written and signed on September 17, 1787 were contained in the United States Constitution, a morally guided governing document. Since then, America’s values have changed. Some, like myself, would argue that we’ve departed from our Judeo-Christian roots, hence the inevitable attack on the laws that uphold the U.S. Constitution’s fundamental morals.

Is the law bad or are we simply witnessing the recoil of those whose morality looks nothing like those held by our forefathers?

Now, what if we elevate our thinking and consider the Law of the perfect lawgiver, God? Is His law bad, too, since an apparent majority object to it? Are our misguided peers right? Shall we abandon our biblical morals and attempt to morph God? Is God dead, or at least antiquated? Shall we “get with the times”?

Whenever I begin thinking critically along these lines, I have to go back to the ground floor. I mean, what is the law of God, anyways, and why is it persistently attacked? Is it a problem with the law or the subjects? Is it maybe more accurate to ask, is there an issue between the Lawgiver and His creatures?

If we’re ever confused about what the Law is in the Bible, we have a good, working definition given to us in Holy Scripture.

There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
We have a simple definition for God’s Law in v20b, “having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth.” The fact is that the law is a perfect reflection of God’s holy character. I suppose in a flawed society like our own, it’s fair to assume that some things are lost in translation when we write our own societal laws. But it is not so with God. God’s law is intrinsically good. Since the Holy Bible was authored by God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), we may rightly conclude that nothing is lost in translation, giving us no reason for contention.

A little further along in the Book of Romans Paul writes about his own interactions with God’s Law. He writes very practically for our encouragement and edification. Interwoven into his discourse are the core theological principles that encapsulate biblical morality - this being the reason for having law in the first place, after all.

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.
I think we Americans have to be very careful about our attitudes regarding the laws, lawgivers, and law keepers that govern us. For example, the always-make-it-a-point-to-question-authority attitude has eroded the very fabric of the country that affords us the freedom to even hold such opinions. I wonder how many Americans know that this freedom is God-given.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
We don’t often like to think this way, but God is the source of all authority in this life. He ordains it and, therefore, demands our obedience to it.

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge.”
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
While the above represents righteousness, unless our laws propose we live contrary to God’s Law, we should obey them, lest we be in opposition to God (and therefore His Law). How often is that really ever the case, though? Be honest. At the end of the day, when we make our stand, whom are we opposing, if not God???

What about the Law of God as it is laid out in Holy Scripture? As already mentioned, His Law is perfect and so is its written format, the Bible. Because of this, we never have grounds for doubt. We certainly ought never waste any time challenging it. If it arouses sin in us or condemns us, as Paul described in Romans 7, it doesn’t mean that the Law is evil, only man.

God’s Law is the standard for us believers to live by. Its perfect source ensures us of its eternal nature and immutability. Unlike the laws that govern our lands, God’s Law cannot be rewritten or modified to “fit” contemporary morality. God’s morality, and therefore His Law, is absolute, dogmatic. It’s a blessing that we have it, as it is, “the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth” (Romans 2:20b) as well as, “holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12b).

When we think about God’s Law, we need to remember that it is perfect; not just as a list of perfect commands, but rather the manifestation of God’s essence. We need to dig a layer deeper than an adolescent believer would, looking beyond the rules, seeking the truth about God’s own morality, for that is what His Law embodies, after all. When we consistently approach His Law this way we begin to see, and be thoroughly encouraged by, the Spirit of the law, not just the letter of it.

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Love in Christ,

Ed Collins