We live in an age of increasing resentment towards anything
that could be termed "the law" or "the authority." Our society
it would seem, by and large, does not want the School System to
wield any authority over its students.
Many young people dislike those in uniforms that represent
AUTHORITY.
Many adults are busy trying to figure out how they cam "get
around" certain laws of the land.
We have women's movements that want to free women from any
man having authority over them, and any other authority it would
seem at times.
We have children who do not want to be told what to do by
their parents.
Even CHURCHES and MINISTERS of Theology have stood up to
tell their congregations that the LAW has been "done away" - that
we are now living in the dispensation of GRACE, which to them
seems to mean that we no longer have to obey "the law" of God.
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE towards LAW and ORDER? What do you
think about the laws of your country, state, county or town?
What is YOUR attitude towards the LAWS and COMMANDMENTS of
the God of this Universe?
Before you answer that question, I ask you to read about the
men and women of God in the Bible, and discover the attitude THEY
had towards LAW!
SOME OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
Let us search out some of these men and women. The examples
of the Bible are written for OUR admonition, for our instruction
(1 Cor.10:1-11), so we may grow in GRACE and KNOWLEDGE (2 Peter
3:18), being not UNWISE but UNDERSTANDING the WILL of God
(Eph.5:17).
ABEL
He was the second born man in the world (Gen.4:2). God had
such respect unto Abel that he obtained a witness that he was
RIGHTEOUS (Gen.4:4; Heb.11:4).
Now what is the Bible definition of righteousness? It is
found in Psalms 119 and verse 172. Mark it, try never to forget
it. ".......for ALL your COMMANDMENTS are RIGHTEOUSNESS."
ABEL, OBVIOUSLY KEPT THE LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
ENOCH
Was the seventh God fearing preacher from Adam (Jude 4).
Would you say that Enoch had the LOVE of God within him? It is
recorded that Enoch WALKED WITH GOD! (Gen.5:22,24), that he
PLEASED God (Heb.11:5).
Enoch went the same way as His God, just as all Christians
are to do. "He that says he abides in Him, ought himself ALSO SO
TO WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED" (1 John 2:6).
The LOVE of God that was in Enoch would have led him to have
OBEYED his God - as it is written: "And this IS the LOVE OF GOD,
that we WALK after His commandments......."(2 John 6).
Enoch had that FAITH WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR SALVATION
(Heb.11:5-6). With that faith he did not "do away with" law but
walked in the way of the Lord. As Paul was inspired to write:
"DO WE THEN MAKE VOID THE LAW THROUGH FAITH? GOD FORBID! NO, WE
ESTABLISH THE LAW" (Rom.3:31).
NOAH
Also walked with God (Gen.6:9). Peter was inspired to
record that Noah was a preacher of RIGHTEOUSNESS - a preacher of
the commandments of God. He loved, obeyed, and had the attitude
of wanting to SERVE and PREACH and OBEY the laws and commandments
of his God.
Oh yes, he fell down at times, like as when he planted a
vine yard and got drunk on the wine (Gen.9:21). But God forgave
him upon his repentance, and recorded him as a JUST man, one who
WALKED with God, a preacher of RIGHTEOUSNESS!
ABRAHAM
A man called to go out from his native land into a land he
had not seen, looked to God in FAITH and OBEYED His command, "So
Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him" (Gen.12:1-4).
God knew Abraham - He knew his basic attitude towards His
WAY and His WILL, "For I know him, that he will command his
children and his household after him, and they shall KEEP THE WAY
OF THE LORD, TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT......." (Gen.18:19).
God, remembering Abraham when speaking to Isaac, said,
"Because that Abraham OBEYED my voice, and KEPT MY CHARGE, MY
COMMANDMENTS, MY STATUTES, AND MY LAWS" (Gen.26:5).
Abraham, the man upheld by Paul as the father of the
faithful, is remembered by God as he who SERVED, LOVED, and KEPT
LAW - not as someone who despised, hated, or rejected law, not as
someone who taught or believed that God's grace or mercy did away
with law and order, but as someone who by FAITH established or
kept the Law.
MOSES
When he became of adult age, chose to be with God's people.
He wanted, was willing to give up the pleasures of the evil and
sinful Egyptian world around him, was willing to give up and come
out of sin, to serve Christ (Heb.11:24-26).
And what does the word of God say sin IS? One definition is
found in 1 John 3:4, "Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the
law - for sin is the transgression of the law."
Paul wrote: ".......I had not know sin, but by the law: for
I had not known LUST except the law had said, YOU SHALL NOT
COVET" (Rom.7:7).
The law that contains the command "you shall not covet" is
the TEN COMMANDMENT LAW of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. It is
the law that James said had POINTS and if we break anyone of
those points we are guilty of all (James 2:10-12).
Moses then chose to SERVE and OBEY as a way of life, and as
an attitude of life, the LAW of God.
JOSEPH
Found great favor in the eyes of Potiphar, an officer of
Pharaoh. The Lord was with him and he was eventually made
overseer over Potiphar's house - all was entrusted to him
(Gen.39:1-6).
In the process of time the wife of Potiphar cast her eyes
upon Joseph and wanted him to have sexual relations with her
(verse 7). Notice Joseph's answer to his master's wife,
"......because you are his wife, how then can I do this great
wickedness and SIN against God?"
She tried on another occasion to temp him to have sex with
her, but again he refused, running away from her as she tried to
force him (verse 10-12).
Joseph's attitude was to serve the COMMANDMENTS of God. He
did not want to SIN against His God.
RUTH
Because of a famine in part of the land of Israel a certain
man (Elimelech) and his wife Naomi went down into the old area
called Moab, with their two sons. In time the two sons married
woman from that area, but the sons as well as their father died
there, in the land not their home. After the famine was over
Naomi determined to return to Judah (Ruth 1:1-7).
Her two daughters-in-law started out with her on the
journey, but Naomi said they should return to their own families
and home-land. One of the women did turn around and went back to
her people, but Ruth clave unto Naomi (verses 8-14).
Notice the conversation that ensued: "And she said, Behold,
your sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her
gods, return you after your sister-in-law. And Ruth said, Entreat
me not to leave you, or return from following after you - for
whither you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. YOUR
PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND YOUR GOD MY GOD......When she saw
that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left
speaking unto her" (verses 15-18).
The implications of what Ruth was saying and doing are
profound. Her attitude towards the TRUE God was beautiful when
you consider she was from a people who had not known or rejected
the God of Israel. True, she had been married to Naomi's son,
she had been no doubt in contact with the religion and ways of
the Eternal God through Naomi and her son for many years. From
this account we can deduct that Ruth had come to love the true
God. She had come to love and want His way of life, His laws and
commandments. Ruth wanted to serve the God of Naomi and follow
His path. She was willing to accept the covenant that the Lord
had made with Israel and all who would submit themselves to His
care and rule in their lives. Ruth was willing to come under the
ONE LAW in Israel that was to be for the home born and the
stranger (Ex.12:43-50).
Can we see the attitude of this woman? There was no
hostility in her heart towards the laws, statutes, judgments, and
commandments of God as laid out and given to Israel to follow and
obey. She CLAVE unto Naomi with heart felt emotion and tears,
wanting to be with her and be a part of the very people of God,
".....to whom pertains the adoption and the glory, the COVENANTS,
and the giving of the LAW, and the SERVICE of God, and the
PROMISES" (Rom.9:4).
God honored this woman for her love of Him, His law and His
holy way, by making her a part of the very ancestry through whom
came Jesus Christ the Messiah (Ruth 4:13- 22).
ATTITUDES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The eternal used the apostle Paul to write much of the NT.
What was the attitude of Paul towards LAW, did he reject or
uphold it?
He wrote that God, ".....will render to every man according
to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in WELL
DOING(living right, doing what is lawful and right) seek for
glory.....eternal life. But unto them that are contentious and
do NOT OBEY the truth, but obey UN-RIGHTEOUSNESS (the breaking of
the commandments of God - Ps 119:172), indignation and wrath"
(Rom.2:6-8).
Paul taught that in order for anyone to be
JUSTIFIED(declared sinless, forgiven, made righteous) by God,
they must have the attitude of wanting to obey the law, "For
NOT the HEARERS of the law are JUST before God, but the DOERS of
the law shall be JUSTIFIED" (Rom.2:13).
In writing to the church at Corinth Paul made it very clear
that it was not the physical rites of the old covenant that was
important but OBEYING the laws of God was the main criterion of
Christianity, "For circumcision is nothing and counts for
nothing, neither does un-circumcision, BUT (what counts is)
KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD" (1 Cor.7:19, Amplified Bible).
Paul said God's law was HOLY, JUST and GOOD (Rom.7:12). He
DELIGHTED in the law of God (verse 22). His inner attitude was to
love and have pleasure in the commandments of the Lord.
James admonished his readers to be DOERS of the law of
LIBERTY and not just hearers (James 1:22-25). He reminded them
that it is the law that people will be judged by (verse 12).
John did not look upon God's commandments as harsh or
burdensome, "For this IS the LOVE of God, that we KEEP HIS
COMMANDMENTS, and His commandments are NOT GRIEVOUS" (1 John
5:3).
John was very emphatic in saying that anyone who claimed he
was a Christian, but did not OBEY the commands of God was a LIAR
(chap.1:4). On the other hand a person could be assured that he
was a child of God IF he kept the COMMANDMENTS (verse 3).
Obviously this means serving and obeying God with a true humble,
repentant spirit, not just external outward profession as the
scribes and Pharisees practiced. A true attitude of heart is the
bottom line in obeying the commandments of God. Which then
brings us to.....
GOD'S OWN HEART
Would you like God to say of you that, "he/she is someone
after my very own heart" ? He did say that about DAVID (Acts
13:22). Why did He say that about David?
First - God does not want anyone to PERISH, but ALL to come
to REPENTANCE (2 Peter 3:9). God looks for a humble and
repentant attitude in those who will seek Him. David truly
manifested genuine repentance when confronted with his sins (read
2 Samuel chapters 11,12 and Psalm 51). The reader can also
request the in-depth study on REAL REPENTANCE and learn what the
word of the Lord teaches on that vital subject.
The second great attribute David has was a LOVE for the
LAWS, STATUTES, and COMMANDMENTS of God.
Let's notice some of the songs and poetry David wrote.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners......but his DELIGHT is
in the LAW of the Lord, and in His LAW does he MEDITATE day and
night" (Ps.1:1-2).
David taught that you should not sin - break the law of God,
"But know that the Lord has set apart him that is Godly for
Himself......Stand in awe and SIN NOT......Offer the sacrifice of
RIGHTEOUSNESS (keep the commandments - Ps 119:171) and put your
TRUST (live by faith) in the Lord" (Ps.4:3-5). It takes FAITH to
OBEY the righteousness and commandments of God. We are saved by
GRACE through FAITH (Eph.2:8). The reader can request the
in-depth study on SAVING FAITH, and learn what God teaches on
that important topic.
David knew that those whose attitude was to WORK
righteousness would dwell with God. "Lord, who shall abide in
your tabernacle? Who shall dwell in your holy hill? He that
WALKS uprightly, and WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS and speaks the TRUTH in
his heart" (Ps.15:1-2).
He knew that God's law was a MIRROR, showing us what SIN IS
and that we need to be CONVERTED and acquire a desire to OBEY
that law. "The LAW OF THE LORD is PERFECT, CONVERTING the soul -
the TESTIMONY of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The
STATUTES of the Lord are RIGHT, rejoicing the heart - the
COMMANDMENT of the Lord is PURE, enlightening the eyes.......the
JUDGMENT of the Lord are TRUE and RIGHTEOUS altogether. More to
be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold. Sweeter
also than honey and the honeycomb" (Ps.19:7-10).
He understood that those who were the righteous of God would
have the LAW in their hearts. "The LAW of his God is in his
heart; none of his steps shall slide" (Ps.37:31).
David clearly understood how GRACE and MERCY is hinged to
the COMMANDMENTS of God. "Remember O Lord, your tender mercies
and your loving kindness.......remember not the sins of my youth,
not my transgressions......All the paths of the Lord are MERCY
and truth UNTO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT AND TESTIMONIES......the
MERCY of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting UPON THEM
that FEAR Him, and His RIGHTEOUSNESS(justification/forgiveness)
unto children's children, TO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT, and to
THOSE THAT REMEMBER HIS COMMANDMENTS TO DO THEM" (Ps.25:6, 7, 10;
103:17-18).
David tells us in Psalm 111 if he thought the commandments
would ever be "done away with." "The works of His hands are
verity and judgment. All His COMMANDMENTS ARE SURE. THEY STAND
FAST FOR EVER AND EVER....." (verses 7-8).
THE LONGEST OF ALL THE PSALMS
Is Psalm 119. It is in this Psalm that the LAWS, STATUTES,
and COMMANDMENTS are repeated over and over again, as if to
emphasize to us how wonderful and good they are.
Here are a few of those many verses: "Blessed are the
undefiled in the way, who WALK in the LAW of the Lord......You
have commanded us to KEEP your PRECEPTS diligently.......With my
whole heart have I sort you. O let me not WONDER from your
COMMANDMENTS.......I will DELIGHT myself in your
STATUTES.......Open my eyes that I may behold WONDROUS THINGS out
of your LAW.......Give me understanding and I shall KEEP your
LAW, yes, I shall OBSERVE IT with my WHOLE HEART.......and I will
DELIGHT myself in your COMMANDMENTS, which I LOVE" (verses 1, 4,
10, 16, 18, 34, 47).
The Psalmist was HORRIFIED at the THOUGHT of forsaking the
LAW of God, "Horror has taken hold upon me because of the WICKED
that FORSAKE YOUR LAW.......Rivers of water run down my eyes,
because they keep NOT your LAW" (verses 53, 136).
He wrote that SALVATION was far FROM THOSE who DID NOT SEEK
the STATUTES of the Eternal (verse 155).
The LAW and the COMMANDMENTS were the poets great JOY and
LOVE, "I hate and abhor lying, but your LAW DO I LOVE.......My
soul has KEPT your TESTIMONIES, and I LOVE THEM
EXCEEDINGLY.......I have LONGED for your SALVATION, O Lord,
and your LAW IS MY DELIGHT......." (verses 163, 167, 174).
THE PERFECT EXAMPLE
What about the one whom people call themselves after -
Christ Jesus, what was His attitude towards the LAW and
COMMANDMENTS of the Father?
Well around the end of the first century A.D. He was still
inspiring the apostle John to write His words that are recorded
for us in Revelation 22:14, "Blessed are they which DO HIS(the
Father's) COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the RIGHT to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Peter wrote that Jesus came to set us an EXAMPLE .......WHO
DID NO SIN (1 Peter 2:21,22)! We are to have the attitude of
mind as Jesus had, not wanting to sin, not wanting to break any
of the commandments of God(remember we saw what sin was in
1 John 3:4; Rom.7:7; and James 2:10-12). The mind of Christ is
to be in us, we are to think and love and obey as He did, to
submit to the will of the Father in all things as He did -
Phil.2:5.
We who are in Christ, and we who have Christ IN us, can know
with assurance that we have eternal life (1 John 5:11,12). John
was inspired to write what he wrote so we could KNOW that we have
eternal life through Jesus Christ in us (1 John 5:13). Yet,
as they say, "talk is cheap" for anyone can say with their mouth
that Jesus is in them. How can we know that Jesus is in us? How
can we know that we know Him, and that He knows us? John was
also inspired to tells us the answer to that question also.
"And HEREBY WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, IF WE KEEP HIS
COMMANDMENTS. HE THAT SAYS, I KNOW HIM, AND KEEPS NOT HIS
COMMANDMENTS, IS A LIAR, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM. BUT WHOSO
KEEPS HIS WORD, IN HIM IS THE LOVE OF GOD PERFECTED: HEREBY WE
KNOW THAT WE ARE IN HIM......FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT
WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: AND HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT GRIEVOUS"
(1 John 2:3-5; 5:3).
You have read about the ATTITUDE of many of those that
served the true Eternal God. You have seen THEIR attitude
towards the LAW of God, the COMMANDMENTS of God.
NOW what is YOUR attitude ?
...............
Written in 1982
Postscript
I ask the reader to now turn to Exodus 20 and meditate upon the
10 Commandments of God. Look at each one, and meditate upon how
this whole world would be if EVERYONE, in every nations had the
attitude of mind to want to observe and obey each of those laws.
Most Christian churches still teach that people should obey
at least 9 of the ten, the only one they say that is not
important to obey is the 4th commandment, the one regarding
the Sabbath day. The importance of the 4th commandment can be
seen by reading ALL the scriptures found in all the Bible on that
commandment, and seeing the perfect example of Jesus Christ as
recorded in the Gospels.
As shocking as it may sound, there are very few individuals who
call themselves "Christian" that understand what it really means
to be "saved by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God" (Eph.2:8). Many find this verse in the
letter to the Ephesians and the verses to do with having to
observe the commandments of God, difficult to understand, if not
even contradictory. To make sense of all of this, to understand
the way of salvation, to understand how law and grace fit
together like hand and glove, to explain how you can only be
saved by grace, yet how you must have the mind set of observing
the commandments of God, I have written an in-depth articles that
will make the truth very plain. The article is called "Saved by
Grace" - it can be found on my Website.
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