In the broadest
sense, the Law of God is that rule of action which He has prescribed
for man.
It is important to
note that there are many of Gods laws that do not apply to all men everywhere
and for all time.
God has at
particular times, given particular commandments to certain people that were
binding only upon those people, and were of limited duration.
For example, the
commandment to circumcise all male children was not given until Abrahams day.
It applied only to his descendants, the Jews, and ended with the coming of
Jesus.
Various
Revelations of Gods Laws:
The Law of the Conscience - the Law Written on Mans Heart
The Law of Moses - the Law Under the Old Covenant
The Law of Christ - the Law Under the
New Covenant
Various revelations of Gods
Laws:
The Law of the Conscience - the Law Written
on Mans Heart
Man was created with the requirements of Gods law
written on his heart.
Before the fall, this law was clear
and legible, but as a result of Adams sin the law written on the
heart was defaced and marred.
Mans spiritual understanding is darkened by sin
Ephesians
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond
cure.
Who can understand it?
Consequently the law written on the heart is no longer an adequate or reliable guide for fallen man
But this law is still sufficiently clear to make sin known and therefore render men guilty when they break it, for all men have in their own
nature to some degree a knowledge of what is right and wrong.
Romans 1:32 - Although they know God's
righteous decree
that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these
very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 2:14-15 - Gentiles, who do not
have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for
themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
The Law of Moses
- the Law Under the Old
Covenant
This law was given by God to the Jews
at
Deuteronomy 5:1-3 - Moses summoned all
It was established as a covenant by God with the
nation of
Men who study the Bible sometimes divide the laws
given by Moses into various categories, but it must
be remembered that all of these laws stood as a single unit and together formed the covenant made with
This covenant, including all its parts (laws) was abolished by
Christ at His death and replaced with a new and better covenant under which Gods people now live.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 - "The time is
coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new
covenant
with the house of
Hebrews 8:7-8,13 - If there
had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have
been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said:
"The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
with the house of
Ephesians
Colossians 2:14-16 - having canceled the
written code,
with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took
it away, nailing it to the cross . . . Therefore do not let anyone judge you by
what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon
celebration or a Sabbath day.
(see also: 2Cor.3:6-18; 1Cor.9:19-20,
Gal.3:18-25, Acts 15:1-29)
In most cases when the word law
occurs in the Scriptures (especially when the definite article is used - the law) it has reference to the Law of Moses. The reason for this is that until the time of Christ
came, the law of Moses was the most complete
revelation of Gods law that had been given.
The Law of Christ - the Law Under the New
Covenant
The New Covenant consists of the teachings given by Christ through His chosen apostles and their associates.
These laws are contained in the New Testament (Covenant) Scriptures.
Paul, in Galatians
They have received adoption as mature sons and the indwelling Holy Spirit
The saints under the law of
Moses were treated as immature
children in that they were regulated by detailed laws, whereas saints under the law of Christ are treated
as mature sons and are guided by much broader principles of conduct.
Believers living in the present age, therefore, have far greater liberty and as a result greater responsibility
than the believers who lived under the old system.