I saw a bumper sticker recently
that said, God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. But
that's saying too much. The truth is that God said it
and that settles it. It does not matter if you or
I believe it or not. God's decrees are timeless and
His law is immutable. Many mistakenly believe that
the Mosaic Law, which they believe is summed up in what is known
as the Ten Commandments, is still in force and binding on the freeborn
sons of God. Knowing that the Mosaic Law contains
a multitude of ceremonial and detailed ordinances having to
do with eating and other rituals, some conveniently divide this
law into at least two parts, which they define as ceremonial
and moral. Realizing that it is problematic
to insist on the ceremonial law, they nonetheless demand that
a man must live under the part of it that they call moral. There
are several problems with this mindset. Nowhere does the scripture
divide the Mosaic law into various parts which can be followed while
neglecting the rest. On top of that, nowhere in all
the Word of God can it be shown that the Mosaic law was ever
given to the Gentiles. The Law of Moses was given to
the earthly Jews in the purpose of God, and as far as I can tell,
has never been changed or overturned in that regard. Sin is defined
in the Mosaic Law, but sin did not begin to exist when the Mosaic
Law was given. It was clearly manifested, however,
in that law which was written in stone. This law was just and
good because it was given by God. We would be mistaken, however,
to consider that the law given to Moses was the law of God. The Mosaic Law was indeed a particular
manifestation and concise statement of God's law as he saw fit to
manifest it in his dealings with the earthly nation of Israel.
But the law of God existed long before Moses. Otherwise, those
who sinned before that revelation would have no basis upon which
to be judged. And furthermore, those to whom
this Mosaic law was not given, that is, the Gentiles, would
be off the hook. Paul makes it clear that such
is not the case. For as many as have sinned without
law shall also perish without law. And as many have sinned
in the law shall be judged by the law. So the law of God cannot
be defined by the Ten Commandments. In fact, the Lord Jesus said,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. The law and the prophets as given
to earthly Israel must bow down before this law. This law is
timeless, and every man upon this planet must answer to its
authority and its author. David described the meditations
of the children of God in their contemplations upon the law of
God. Those thoughts are sweet because the word of God is precious
to the children of God. Whenever a man is born of the
spirit of God and made a new creature, he is turned from rebellion
against the way of Christ to a willing submission to him who
purchased his pardon. As Peter said, Lord, to whom
shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. So all of the
sons of God agree. The sons of God are taught that
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's law. All of the blessings
and benefits of the elect sons of God flow to them solely through
the work of Jesus Christ in their behalf. He did not merely decree
them righteous, but he actually purchased their righteousness
before God by satisfying every jot and tittle of any law which
was against them. His righteousness and law keeping
has been imputed to them when he satisfied the law's demands
in their behalf in his death at Calvary. Our sweet meditation
of the law is in the realization that it is according to God's
law that we are justified. Having been set free from the
law's condemnation, they can rejoice in its precepts. I have
never met a man who loves the Lord Jesus Christ that is not
thankful for the instruction of the Word of God. After all,
we are sons and not servants. If David, being a Jew with the
broken law of Moses hanging over his head, could rejoice in those
precepts, how much more do those that know the laws forever satisfied
find that instruction pure and sweet and a delight unto their
very souls. Because Jesus Christ has forever
canceled the debt of his elect, they are free to serve the Lord
with a clear conscience, unfettered by guilt and fear. But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law.
There is no law against those for whom Christ died. Free from
the law, O happy condition, Jesus hath died, and there is remission.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
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