the Law

Today most Christian don’t care much for the law. They tend to look at a select passage and twist them; “we are not under the law but under grace” “judge not lest you be judged”. But to take these out of context do a great disservice to the Lord. If you read all of Romans chapter 6 you’ll see that just because we are in grace does not mean we live in sin. In fact as Christian we should follow the law more closely than any other, because we are dead to sin. Since sin is in the breaking of the law and we are no longer sinner we should always be following the law. Not as a form of legalism, not because we fear that if we transgress God will crush us. No, this is the grace that we are under; that we need not fear the effects of the law (God’s wrath) because of the work of the cross. But it should be a strong overwhelming desire to be Christ like and He fulfilled the law perfectly. So our desire should be to keep the law also.

The second verse listed above about judging has many problems in that most people will equate judging to reproof or telling someone they are wrong. This is what Matt Henry (1714) commentary on Matt 7:1-6 says “Some cautions about reproving. Because we must not judge others, which is a great sin, it does not therefore follow that we must not reprove others, which is a great duty, and may be a means of saving a soul from death;” but since reproof is based on fact and judging is an opinion people that don’t have absolutes will see any reproof as judging. That is why the law is so important it has already been written on their hearts so everyone is angry if some lies to or steals from them. It is something they know is true from their very conscience. So the law and reproof must be used in evangelism.

I guess this needs a summary, as it is a bit scattered brained. First don’t judge using your opinion but reprove based on the fact of the law. Second Romans 6 we need to keep the plank out of our eye. (this is done by grace freeing us from sin and grace holding us to the law). Third we must reprove to save souls and the law is a fact they already know.A poem on how I view(ed) the Law of God in my Life

Loving Law

Harsh words that grate, like steel against a flint.
Sparks light that causes my soul to squint.
Unpleasant mirror, refection of my spirit.
Brings sorrow and fear, for what my deeds do merit.
Unbending ten, my flesh does appall.
What shame, for I have broke them all.
Vile cures, of unattainable perfection
Horrid Decalogue, I owe you affection.
Despised teacher, from when I was young,
Passing years brings your praise to my tongue.
Faultless map, to a lost sinner points the way,
To a blood stained cross where my debt was paid.
Glorious love that for a sinner like I,
Christ would bear my dishonor and die.
Amazing Grace, I would’ve never known
but at first the law, my sins had shown.

the poem "Loving Law” is copyrighted by Chris Carey 2008