by Tony Clark
There are many laws in existence that relate to humanity and the world around us. Laws of nature; state and federal laws; religious laws and rituals; moral laws and the law of God for example. Some people think they are a law unto themselves. Laws are set into place to protect something or someone. For example without the law of gravity we would all float off into space and living on this planet would never have been possible. Laws are meant to preserve things. Laws are meaningless without an enforcer, and without a penalty or consequence for breaking the law. Lawlessness abounds when there is no fear of God or of consequences, because seemingly I can transgress the law and no penalty is forthcoming.
There is also rebellion present and disregard towards God at the base level of human fallen nature. But we are told in the Bible that at the appointed time (which is an exact, precise and predetermined time) all will be judged and held accountable for their sin (transgression of the law) and also that God’s patience although great has a limit and the time comes when He judges situations and people, whether they know it is the judgement of God or not is another story.
God has made His law clear and has documented it within His Word. But an understanding of this law or the requirement of God upon us can be misunderstood if we have not learnt this law. Some laws are obvious to most, even without being taught i.e. thou shalt not kill. Although some do not have a knowledge or feeling of moral law, for example some serial killers, others continually rationalise their actions despite the pang of their conscience, causing their conscience to be seared so that it no longer condemns them of wrong.
This is the reason for laws: that a standard might be set, and governed by an authority who ensure penalty for transgression of that law, to maintain order and freedom in society and protection for its citizens. The highest law, is the law of Love. To “love” God and each other is to fulfil the whole law of God. It is not within our fallen nature to obey the law of God naturally. It is within our nature to serve ourselves. It is the conversion of the soul to Jesus Christ and the infilling with the Spirit of Christ that enables us to fulfil the law of God because we receive His nature. We then need to learn to deny our old nature and instead learn to do His will as it is revealed to us by Him and walk in newness of life according to the new nature within us. This does take time, and God chastens His own, and corrects, and purges them of sin. This is a process. By the renewing of the mind we are transformed and made able to live His Word and Will, and our conscience can be restored to a state of health according to His law, and no longer distorted or defiled by the rationalisation of man’s behaviour or incorrect views of what is right and wrong. The Bible says to be mature is to know the difference between right and wrong, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14.
A mature believer is a discerning believer, who by practise, has become able to divide between right and wrong – which interestingly enough shows that they have come into harmony with the Spirit of Christ in them, this nature, that shows them a new way, by the renewing of the mind by the word of God.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Renewing of the mind by the Word of God (actual truth) is essential, because all of us have learnt different things, have made different conclusions about what truth is and about reality. Without an absolute standard there is no truth or reality, but only perceived truth and reality. And without an absolute standard of right and wrong, there is in effect no actual right or wrong, only man made laws and systems to suit mans’ own ends. So it all really comes down to what you believe. If you value and honour and believe the Bible to be the actual word of God that reveals His righteous requirements and truth, then you have an absolute standard to measure yourself by. If you don’t believe this then you are a law unto yourself and in effect lawless, in your own eyes, but if in actual fact God does exist and the Bible IS his revealed Will, then it doesn’t matter what you believe – you will be judged by God according to His Law/ Word/ Justice and choosing.
If God be real…we better obey. Because if He exists, then His ordained consequences for sin will be the punishment for our transgression whether we like it or not. If He doesn’t exist, all well and good, we have no Judge. All of the excuses under the sun will not suffice in that day, for God Himself says:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21
God has made a way that we can be freed from the guilt of our sin, in that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for us, the penalty of sin being death. If God exists, and the Bible is His Word, then in the end it will be the way He has said, not the way we have rationalised or wanted it to be. If He is not real, and the Bible is not the Word of God, then there’s nothing to worry about – where God is concerned, although there is still plenty to worry about, for we are a mere accident, and have no future hope other than nothingness. Some may have made peace with that, but if He is real, that peace will be short lived. This all comes down to our way or His way. If He is real, our way, if it opposes His way, is sin. If He is not, then there is only our way, and it matters not.
by Ruth Paddon