Friday: Further Study: The Law of God
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Spirituality of the Law,
p. 45-78, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing; The Sermon on the Mount,
p. 307-314, and Controversy,
p. 606-609, in The Desire of Ages.
Speaking of the law, Jesus said, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill
. . .; that is, to fill up the measure of the law’s requirement, to give an example of perfect conformity to the will of God. . . .
“His mission was to magnify the law, and make it honorable.
Isaiah 42:21. He was to show the spiritual nature of the law, to present its far-reaching principles, and to make plain its eternal obligation. . . .
“Jesus, the express image of the Father’s person, the effulgence of His glory; the self-denying Redeemer, throughout His pilgrimage of love on earth was a living representation of the character of the law of God. In His life it is made manifest that heaven-born love, Christlike principles, underlie the laws of eternal rectitude. — Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 48, 49.
Discussion Questions:
- In what ways can we fall into the temptation of being legalistic in our observance of the law, as the Pharisees were? On the other hand, what danger exists when we assume that loving God exempts us from obeying His law? Make a list of practical ways in which we could avoid falling into one or the other pitfall in our days. Bring your ideas to share with your class.
- As we know, the argument against the continued validity of the Ten Commandments often is nothing but an attempt to get around the seventh-day Sabbath. Review all the Sabbath healing stories in the Gospels. How do they affirm not only the continued validity of God’s law but of the seventh-day Sabbath? Why are the words and example of Jesus the last place anyone who wants to deny the Sabbath should go?
- Theologians sometimes talk about
a moral universe.
What does that mean? How is our universe a moral place? If it is, what do you think makes it so? What role would God’s law have in a moral universe? Could the universe be a moral place without God having a moral law to govern it? Discuss. How does the idea of God’s law in a moral universe help explain Satan’s attempt to undermine that law?
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It is observed that in a Sabbath School lesson dedicated to the law of God there is more comfort in talking about grace. While it is natural for sinners to appreciate saving grace more than law it may be noted this was not the original intent.
It was not God’s purpose that mankind experience saving grace. Saving grace was the contingency when things went wrong. It was called forth to satisfy the demands of the law and support it. Grace, the subsidiary answers to the law, and the law points to Christ. The shortcut which bypasses the law does not end in the Kingdom of Heaven, but elsewhere.
It is possible to become self-righteous dwelling on grace alike to law, if by so doing a separate, independent standard from God’s law is applied to one’s life; one which seems attainable with little effort. For then there is little need to depend on Christ. Little empowering is needed if there is a manageable low standard or none at all.
If God’s order is reversed so that law is made subordinate to grace it is easy to miss Jesus, for the transcript of His character is eclipsed.
In a sinless world law stands supported by sustaining grace (unmerited support by being one with God). In a sinful world law gets additional support from saving grace to direct us back to the Creator.
The Redeemer works through grace and law to restore in us the image of God. When this is accomplished saving grace is abolished and law continues as at the beginning.
Hugh, I found your statement that "It was not God’s purpose that mankind experience saving grace" a bit startling. But, upon reflection, you are correct in that it was not God's purpose that we experience sin and needed "saving."
It is startling to read in our context. You see, I read of Jesus that, as a child, "the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40) And from that I would assume that it was/is God's will that His grace be "upon us." In our sinful condition, His grace saves us. If we were sinless - as Jesus was sinless - His grace would still be upon us, molding us and shaping us more and more into His image.
As I understand it, while Adam and Eve were sinless, they lacked maturity, and they would have grown to be more like God in their maturity, as was God's purpose for them.
I do believe it's useful to look at the various ways we use "law." In one sense, it is a reflection of God's character of self-renouncing love, and in that sense, David could say, "Yea, how I love Thy law!" (Ps 119:27) We would do well to adopt David's attitude towards the Law. 🙂
In another sense, the law is the standard of righteousness and judgment, and it demonstrates to us that we need a Savior. That's why Paul called the Law our "schoolmaster"/tutor/guardian to lead us to Christ. (Gal 3:24) I understand that the word Paul used referred to a slave who would accompany children and take them to their teacher, who in Paul's analogy would represent Christ. And that's why Paul also calls Christ the "end of the law." (Ro 10:4) The word "telos" Paul used here also means "goal," so again, the goal of the Law is to lead us to Christ, or the goal of the Law is a character like Christ's character of self-renouncing love (which is unattainable without Christ). Some translations read, "Christ is the fulfillment of the Law," which is also accurate. Others read that "Christ is the culmination of the Law," another accurate shade of meaning.
No matter how we look at it, Christ is the Answer. And grace is that expression of God's character of love that draws us in a saving embrace, without any merit on our part.
Inge,
Thanks for your comment.
Do note that in the penultimate paragraph a distinction is made between sustaining grace and saving grace - "In a sinless world law stands supported by sustaining grace (unmerited support by being one with God). In a sinful world law gets additional support from saving grace to direct us back to the Creator."
Sustaining grace is the unmerited favor God bestows on us in whatever condition we are, and it was at work before sin (sinless world). Adam needed sustaining grace to keep the law. On the other hand saving grace is directly a result of the plan of salvation.
The Bible uses the term grace in different contexts. Grace is generally defined as unmerited favor and this can take different forms. The grace that was upon Christ was not saving grace because He needed no salvation. It was sustaining grace. By being one with the Father Christ was a beneficiary of this grace. As a human being taking our place (Second Adam) Christ could not claim anything more than Adam could and still be our substitute and example.
Grace, of whatever form is not an end in itself. It is a means to oneness with the Creator. In Heaven people will not be claiming saving grace. The kingdom of grace will become the kingdom of glory. Saving grace has a starting point and an ending point. The law is eternal.
Hopefully this helps to clarify any confusion.
I think Hugh, what you believe reveals a severe misunderstanding about what grace and law is all about. Grace is The Great Mercy, The Great Atonement, The Great Love God had enough to Send His Only Son to Save us from Ultimate Death. This can NEVER be overemphasised in my view. Indeed there IS “more comfort of talking about grace,” simply because any amount of Law-keeping, even well-intentioned, can never save us the way the Atonement of Christ has. If someone saved me from dying, say from a car accident, falling of a cliff, dying of cancer, etc., I would remember and honour and be stirred by it for the rest of my life.
It seems to me that if one believes "It was not God’s purpose that mankind experience saving grace" or that “While it is natural for sinners to appreciate saving grace more than law it may be noted this was not the original intent” then one truly does not know what God did, and therefore that joy eludes them.
In fact, I believe the complete opposite is true - it was not God's purpose that we get so hung up on Law-keeping, in the sense that somehow by keeping it we have maintained God's favour in remaining in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is about how our Hearts respond, and naturally from the outgrowth of our hearts come actions of honor. But honor is wholly different from earning favor. And earning favor is exactly what happens when we think any amount of Law-keeping or perfection-of-character are part of the conditions on which our salvation is dependent.
Unconditionality makes Selfless Love and Honor a Reality.
Conditionality makes Self-Interest and Fear a Reality.
Tom,
What would you say distinguishes SDA from Babylon, or is there any meaningful difference? What is the significance of the name SDA?
The charge of being "so hung up on Law-keeping" actually echoes that of Babylon against the remnant. It will get louder.
The instinctive response to the mention of law in Christendom is "the law cannot save" or "earn favor." This may be used to sideline God's law. However magnifying the law and exploring it is not the same as hoping to earn something. We exalt, magnify and honor the law to please and glorify God.
If we are thinking purely about our salvation then we might only do what we think is necessary - try to get all the saving grace we can. If we take our minds off our personal salvation for a little it is easier to lift up the law for God's sake, not ours. How many of us would still honor God's law if we were sure we would be lost anyway?
Before sin law was not linked to salvation. After sin law will not be linked to salvation. This is the bigger picture, an an important element in the Great Controversy.
Would there be a problem with the following statement and patterning Christ?
"But God does not use his grace to make his law of none effect, or to take the place of his law. “The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” His law is truth. “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” God gave man a perfect law. An imperfect law would have perpetuated sin—made God the author of sin. Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh, to bear the curse of sin for us; and he took the law from beneath the feet of those who were trampling upon it, and made it honorable. He kept his Father’s commandments; and only by being a partaker of the divine nature, can man keep them." (RH September 15, 1896)
What is the main take-away of this week's lesson about God's law?
"Law came in that sin might abound; law is not made for a righteous man; if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under Law; for you called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another; the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
If we are considering the "Ten Commandments" to be "the Law of God", that was introduced for "slaves" of sin.
Hugh, I think you have explained a difference in types of Grace quite extensively. I read that Grace is the means, of our salvation. Eph 2:8 says it is a gift, not earned by any of our endeavors. Rom 5:20 says that Grace is more abundant than all our sins. Also James 4:8. This is the Grace that most of us know about and is relavant to our salvation. No where that I am aware of, does it say that keeping the law is the means of our salvation. The motive is an expression of our love for our Savior. On the other hand we can loose our salvation by disobedience to the law. Especially 11 and 12. Love for God and our fellow man.
Kenny, I may be wrong but it seems to me that you feel that the law doesn’t apply to you or to anybody else that “keeps” the law. I assume that you drive a vehicle sometime during the day. Do you stop at stop signs? If so why? Does that law concerning the stop sign apply to you behind the steering wheel or should you ignore the law and drive through the intersection as though it only applies to those who break it? Should all law be abandoned and allow anyone to drive however he or she chooses? What do you think the result would be?
I would like to suggest the same applies to the kingdom of God. The law is not just for those who break it but also guides those who obey it. It stops everything from becoming pure chaos, “For God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor 14:33 NKJV). Everything God has made works under the constraint of some law. That is why the planets in our solar system do not deviate from their appointed orbits for if they did we wouldn’t be alive today to tell about it.
Hugh, Abundant Blessings to you. I think the bigger picture IS Jesus’ Grace and not the Law. And yes, there is a tendency amongst many of us to get ‘hung up on the Law’ in the sense that it can somehow earn His favor. Whilst you have quoted Ellen White on the Law she too even noted this overemphasis:
“The LAW OF GOD HAS BEEN LARGELY DWELT UPON and has been presented to congregations, almost as destitute of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His relation to the law as was the offering of Cain… The point which has been urged upon my mind for years is the IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST [Grace]. I have wondered that this matter was not made the subject of discourses in our churches throughout the land, when the matter has been kept constantly urged upon me, and I have made it the subject of nearly every discourse and talk that I have given to the people.” (Ellen White, Manuscript 36, 1890 cited in Faith and Works, p. 18)
In fact, historically, Grace or Justification by Faith or Imputed Righteousness has never been clear within Adventism. Retired Adventist scholar, senior pastor and professor, and the foremost proponent of the gospel of salvation by faith within Adventism, Jack Sequeira, comments:
“In 1976, the church acknowledged that the 1888 message [Justification by Faith], had never been fully accepted… (see the Adventist Review, May 27. 1976).” (Jack Sequeria, Saviour of the World: The Humanity of Christ in the Light of the Everlasting Gospel, (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1996), p. 6.)
It is repeated and repeated as if, as you intimate, it is the main focus of the New Testament: “While it is natural for sinners to appreciate saving grace more than law it may be noted this was NOT THE ORIGINAL INTENT. It was NOT GOD’S PURPOSE that mankind EXPERIENCE SAVING GRACE.”
And while I never talked about sidelining the Law (I clearly stated that “actions of honor” come “naturally from the outgrowth of our hearts” from Grace), by making statements like those above, Grace is Sidelined. And that is something that reflects a misappreciation of the gravity of what in fact happened at the cross. Observe again the following comment you made:
“If we take our minds off our personal salvation for a little it is easier to lift up the law for God's sake, not ours.” This again is a misapprehension and sidelining of the true Power of Grace, since it does not even include Grace in the equation – if there is no Grace, there is no Power to “lift up the law for God’s sake.”
Finally, observe this statement you made: “How many of us would still honor God's law if we were sure we would be lost anyway?” As far as I understand this statement, the undergirding assumption or implication is that the only motivation that would enable us to keep the Law is FEAR, which is truly void of any kind of Joy and Love. What happened to being motivated by Love? And that is exactly my point about CONDITIONALITY VS UNCONDITIONALITY: CONDITIONALITY will generate FEAR; UNCONDITIONALITY will generate LOVE. Only by God’s UNCONDITIONAL and unspeakable and unfathomable acceptance of us apart from the Law can we truly Love Him and be motivated by that Love in turn to serve Him through honorable Law-keeping lives. But if somehow we feel that He requires us first to keep the Law before He accepts us, we concede that his acceptance is CONDITIONAL and therefore we are only able to generate Works that inherently have Vested Self-Interest. Therefore, we FEAR to lose our lives and that becomes our motivation no matter how much we strain to do otherwise.
Take for example the illustration of a father to a young child. Imagine that father saying to the young child, “you must keep the laws of this house if you wish to be accepted by me or stay in this house,” but also says “I truly love you.” What do you think that child is going to feel? The two statements do not relate. He is left confused. Nothing but fear pervades that child. And the works that are generated are only motivated by fear to please the father to prevent him from rejecting him or worse kicking him out. Would you say this to your own child? I wouldn’t. And yet this view is considered reasonable by many when we view how God accepts us.
Therefore, I encourage you to search His Unconditional Grace First. It is really our only hope.
“THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL OF HIS GRACE was to be given to the church in clear and distinct lines, that the world should no longer say that Seventh-day Adventists talk THE LAW, THE LAW, but do not teach or believe Christ.” (E. G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, p.93)
“The GIFT OF CHRIST [Grace] to this guilty world must be largely dwelt upon in every discourse.” (Ellen G White, Selected Messages, vol.1, p.384)
“When the FREE GIFT [Grace] of Christ’s Righteousness is not presented, the discourses are dry and spiritless, the sheep and lambs are not fed.” (Ellen G White, Evangelism, p.186)
Yes, the Sabbath School is about the Law, but it also asks: “In what ways can we fall into the temptation of being legalistic in our observance of the law, as the Pharisees were?” And this is what I’m replying too also. God bless you generously.
Tom, law keeping is not the condition of our salvation. Rather, "law keeping" is the result of our salvation. If salvation does not cause us to keep the law by love then the "love" we have is not "saving" Love, but a counterfeit.
Hugh, I would ask you to consider why, once you are in heaven, you will be obeying God's law. It will not be to earn heaven as you will already be there. It will not be to avoid hell (as hell will be no more). I believe you will keep God's law in heaven for the same reason that I hope you keep His law now... because you love Him.
"If you love Me (you will, as evidence of that love) keep my commandments." (John 14:15).
Happy Sabbath 🙂
Do we think that the "Law" that God writes on the "heart" is : Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not make idols or worship another God; one day of the week must be dedicated to me etc.....?
It very important to a christian to abide in the law of God. Without laws we cannot walk with God and we can't claim we are a christian fo the law of Gos ia perfect converting the soul.
I would like to mention that the "Further Study" chapters for this week are exceptionally beautiful and encouraging. And we've made it easy for you so that you only need to click on the links at the top of the blog, and you can read these chapters online.
Some excerpts:
I wonder whether we may not fall into the same error today - upholding "the law" as the Pharisees did, while forgetting that it is "the enunciation of the principle of love."
Please do take the time to read as much of these beautiful chapters as you can. You will be well rewarded. 🙂
The grace that was upon Jesus was not pardoning grace that is extended to all men, for he never sinned That grace was the attributes of the father in the son , that why it is said that we should be perfect as the father is , Pardoning grace is what has the sinner alive ,The antediluvians frustrated the grace of God through the preaching of Noah, so they fell from grace and perished in the flood, and so every time the judgment of God came upon a people is after they fall from grace .
And so the sinner live by grace ,But the righteous live by faith. There is no earthly court whereby if one is granted a pardon (given grace) that legal proceeding can be held against that some one . I think that Bro Hugh is right, otherwise our preaching that the judgment has started since 1844 would be false. Christ cannot call our names before the father while the judgment is in cession if I am crucifying him afresh each day, this judgment is to decide who come’s up in the first resurrection and who don’t . Who will be translated among the living when he come’s in the cloud. If we are saved in sin , then we are saying that Christ died for Nothing , ( Have mercy on us O Lord).
Psalm 19: 7 ''The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple''.
"Without the law, men (all people) have no just conception of the purity and holiness of God, or of their own guilt and uncleanness. GC 468 As we look to Jesus who gave the fine and minute details of the interpretation of the law and also how we should understand the law, may we cling to Him for salvation and keeping the Law.
“Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” “Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever.” Psalm 119:89; 11:7, 8; Psalm 119:152.
How ethnocentric we are to think that law and grace is unique to fallen man! "Law" (moral law as well) governs all of creation. If we can begin to understand law outside the context of sin, we would have a better understanding of the principle of love and life (eternal) that the law embodies. "The words that I speak are spirit and life."
Our brain/mind/heart processes God's revelations in some very unfortunate ways. Jesus' statement in Mt 5:17 begins with the words "Do NOT think"(NKJV). It is clear that He intended to correct some current or established concept in His audience's mind (Mt 5:1). I believe His audience were all who listened to Him that day, "multitudes" AS WELL AS "His disciples". He sought to correct their misconception of Him being a destroyer of "the Law" and "the Prophets" but declared Himself to be the opposite of how they thought of Him; He WAS (IS) the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. In Lk 24:25-27, Jesus identifies the problem of two followers as "fools, and slow of heart(mind)" which may sound like an insult or some kind of put down. No, it was an accurate diagnosis (by their Creator no less Col 1:16) that had bearing on their then state of mind (Mt 5:17). The word "Law" in Mt 5:17 in context isn't a reference specifically to the ten commandments but to the writings of Moses. How did Jesus "fulfill" "the law, or the prophets"(KJV)? Ezek 11:19-20 declared that in order to "walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them" pre-requires "a new spirit (mind) within", which "I will give them". Jesus fulfilled this prophetic New Testament experience in texts like Lk 1:35; Lk 4:18 and the result was noticeable (John 3:2; John 15:9-10). We are to enter into His NT experience (Eph 2:18; Heb 10:15-16), then it will be seen that we're "His disciples" (John 15:34-35) bearing His "testimony" (Acts 5:31-32;Rev 12:17).
Lynrol,
Thanks. Can you also explain the use of the word "law" in the next verse, Matthew 5:18, and the use of the word, "commandments" in the third verse, Matthew 5:18? Does every detail (jot or tittle) of Moses writings still apply?
As well what would not disappear (pass) as long as heaven and earth remained? (Matthew 5:19).
Lastly in what way or why are those who keep and teach the commandments "called great in the kingdom of heaven" of all places?
Hugh,
Jesus in response to the question, "which is the great commandment in the law?” said, “‘You shall LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind.’ Which He stated was, "the FIRST and GREAT commandment." He continued, "the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ He then adds, " On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mt 22:36-40). The word "law" in Mt 5:18 may be understood in the sense that Jesus is giving assurance ("assuredly" NKJV, "verily" KJV) that He would fulfill every iota of the law before heaven and earth passes away. In John 8:29 He declared that, "I ALWAYS do those things that PLEASE Him.” Other than Christ, which human could make any truthful claim of this kind? The basis for Jesus' claim was founded in the incredibly strong, uniting bond of love that existed between Him and His Father (John 5:19-20). He was in fact fulfilling the "law" (the inspired writings of Moses) as expressed in Deut 6:4-6!! He was in His LIFE and in His TEACHINGS the manifest fulfillment of the law of His Father...always. That was an extremely important component of God's plan to save man.
Mt 5:19 may be understood in the nature of His interaction with the rich young ruler (Mt 19:16-22), a symbol of someone cognizant of a "lack" (v. 20) in their life who comes to the right Source for help. Jesus directs him to the Law of Ten Commandments as part of the solution, but He directs him not to the "FIRST and GREAT commandment" but to the "second". The young man gives himself a passing score on the "second". But Jesus acknowledging the young man's "lack", prescribes to him "if you want to be perfect...", well, love God enough to do whatever He commands you. If we're honest, we all recoil like that young man at the "I say(s)" of Mt 5:20, 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44-45 (especially those last two!Emoji). If like that rich young ruler we find ourselves lacking, Jesus' prescription is still potent. When we go to Him with our lacks we're to enter into a faith relationship with the One who has already perfectly pleased His Father. The way to the Father is only through Him (Eph 2:18; John 14:6). He then performs a powerful work of redemption in us (Phili 2:13; Phili 3:3; Eph 3:16-20) to, like the demoniac healed in the Gadarenes, become grateful observers of our Healer's commandments (Lk 8:35, 38-39 NLT) motivated by love.
Loving God is an experience that grows according to the consent I have given for His Spirit to motivate me in each and every habit and issue of my life. He does not come into every area of my life just because I have given consent for Him to come in now. In fact every “now” is a new issue for me to consent to His Spirit come into and motivate me in.
In some issues I have already consented and continue to consent for His motivation. But there may be issues that I hold more dear and have not consented for His motivation in those areas. These are the areas that are hard for me because I don’t have His motivation here yet. I don’t want to give up my “ego” or “self” in these areas yet. He does not force me. Therefore, I have to go it alone and unsuccessfully until I decide to give up being my own God.
Some of these may even be re-enforced upon me by my church or my social circle when it says it is not necessary to give up this particular issue (i.e., abortion, immodesty, my “rights,” Sabbath breaking, vices--i.e. smoking, drinking, drugs, pornography, sex addiction, cyber addiction, etc.)."This is not a salvational issue."
The way to complete freedom from such trouble in keeping the law of God is not to say the law is done away, but to watch for Jesus’ character in every issue and to pray for the Holy Spirit of God to motivate me though the “hard” things of life and all the issues of my life.