Brad Green
Many in the religious world attempt to divorce God from law. The desire to do so stems from a disdain for commandment keeping. It is impossible, however, to separate God from law. The laws of nature, which govern the seasons, movement of planets, and the universe, were spoken into existence by God (Psa. 33:6-9).Though being a faithful Christian entails more than just keeping commands, obedience to God’s law is necessary for salvation (John 14:15; Heb. 5:8-9). The contempt for law may derive from the heart that does not want to be bound or constrained by limitations. This manner of thinking leads one to consider law as a curse. True freedom, however, is not defined as the absence of boundaries or limitations. True freedom requires law. We can confidently and safely walk downtown because the law keeps murderers and thieves off the streets. By following “the perfect law of liberty” (Jam. 1:25), we can “Stand fast…in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1). Law is a blessing. Perhaps this fact can be illuminated by examining the consequences of denying that we are amenable to law.
First, if there is no law, there is no sin. The inspired John states, “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Since “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), then law must exist. Second, without law, chaos reigns. The apostle Paul reminds us that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). If God did not provide man a law by which to adhere, then man would be left to do that which is “right in his own eyes” (Jud.21:25). I can think of nothing more chaotic than for every man to determine for himself what is right and what is wrong. Jeremiah proclaims, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Third, without law, man could not know for sure if he is saved or lost. What a sad situation. Many find themselves in this situation because they reject the law and rely on their feelings. No matter how saved one may feel, he cannot know he is saved without law.
If one simply obeys the Gospel plan of salvation—hear (Rom. 10:17), believe (Heb. 11:6), repent (Luke 13:3), confess (Acts 8:36), be baptized (Acts 2:38), and live faith‐ ful unto death (Rev. 2:10)—then he can know that he is saved. Jesus implores, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). True freedom exists only if we obey the Word of God (i.e., God’s law), and if one is faithful to that law, he can know he is saved. Today, the New Testament, or law of Christ, is in effect, and we must be loyal and true to it.
We should be thankful that God has given us a law to govern our lives. The law of God provides peace instead of chaos, supplies us with God’s plan to save man, and gives us a standard by which we can determine our faithfulness and whereby we can know if we are saved. The law of God and His Christ is truly a blessing.
