What is the Law of God?

R7-12 · Tadpole Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 21

Hello fellow forum members,

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone, especially those who do not observe the law, to explain the origin and nature of God's law as you understand it.

In other words, what is the law? I'm not asking for the details in the law, what it consists of, its commandments, ordinances, etc. but rather, what is the law as a spiritual concept? Where does it come from, what is its purpose, when did it first come to exist, and so on.

The reason I ask this is because I have seen many arguments about the law, but never has anyone examined it first from the perspective of its origin and purpose. Shouldn't we have a well-informed and balanced view on a biblical subject before we make judgment on it?

Remember, we are admonished to "Prove all things..." (1 Thes. 5:21).

So, please, if you're genuinely interested in this topic, give it some thought (and better yet - study), and share what you understand about the law of God according to what you read in scripture.

I'm looking forward to examining this subject with all of you, and hopefully come to understand the law of God more accurately.

R7-12

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Greetings R7,

R7-12 · Tadpole Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 21

Hello Judy,

Thank you for your reply.

I found your response intriguing because you appear to want to answer a question I did not ask. Wink

That’s ok too.

You introduced a number of words and phrases that require definitions in order to know how you perceive their respective meanings and apply them to scripture, and thus what you specifically meant in your post.

Be that as it may, I agree that the law of God existed before the Levitical system was given to the nation Israel, but that law did not fail. It was not completed or fulfilled as yet, and thus required the people have faith in the prophecies concerning the Messiah, pictured in the physical temple system, and who would come and fulfill the requirement of the law (the life of a perfect sacrifice to pay for lawbreaking), and thus replace the animal sacrifices of the first covenant system as you eluded. The problem was not with the law as it was with the people because they did not mix the gospel, which was preached to them as it was to us, with faith (Heb. 4:2; 8:7-8).

The law of liberty is also called the law of faith and the law of Christ, and existed and was known from the start. The Levitical system was given to a people (Israel) deeply entrenched in a pagan system (Egypt), as a physical tutor or schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24-25) that was intended to teach the nation, (who were to be an example to all the pagan nations) through the discipline and repetition of the purification ordinances, what all the symbolism and activities of the temple pointed to, thus bringing them to faith in the prophesied Christ. The problem was, Israel never obeyed the word of God long enough to get to that point, with the exception of the faithful patriarchs and prophets (and others), such as Abraham, Moses, Sarah, Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Ezekiel, David, etc.

But that topic is not the central focus of this thread.

The point of my inquiry is to explore the origin of the law, the spiritual implications related to that, what the law is essentially, and its purpose, and then examine the ramifications of the concepts that are drawn out.

It seems to me that since very few people have given this subject much thought, let alone study, I should not expect much of a response.

I guess we will see.

R7-12

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Greetings R7,

I am out of town at present and unable to really dig in and get serious, but I am interested in study and will persue this matter more when I get home.

In the mean time, Yes, I agree, the law did not fail. The law was just and holy and good. It was the sacrifices of the blood of bulls and goats that failed in that they could not provide a PURE CONSCIENCE.

In order for me to better respond to your post I would like for you to pin-point what is the point that you would like to make.

I can be really dense some time so please bear with me.

In Christ, Judy

R7-12 · Tadpole Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 21

Hi Judy,

I agree with you concerning the inadequacy of the blood of animals (Heb. 10:4). Most of the Israelites failed to understand the significance behind the symbolism of these things, which, if they had been faithful rather than rebellious and unbelieving, would have lead them to the understanding that faith in the prophesied Messiah as saviour, according to the promises of God Almighty is the point, goal, or aim of the first covenant system.

HeKkLeR · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 11:41 am Post subject:

Hi R7-12.

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Hi Heck,

I'm laughing at Heck, not your post.

I have to respectfully disagree. Although we are off subject a bit I see Adam continuing to act in that insideous thing called the flesh when he very quickly sought approval of God and blamed the whole darn thing of Eve.

Genesis 3:12, "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

I believe that it was after they ate of the tree that their eyes were opened.

In Christ, Judy

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Hi R7,

lone-traveler · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject:

Mar 12:28 ¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

There is none other commandment greater than these.
Very Happy

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Hi Lone,

I don't think that anyone would dispute with you the 2 greatest commandments. Thank you.
Smile

In Christ, Judy

lone-traveler · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

Luk 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luk 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

and He added no more... Very Happy

HeKkLeR · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 5:04 am Post subject:

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Hi Hec,

I have never read it your way before. I will have to meditate and read.

In Christ, Judy

HeKkLeR · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 5:14 am Post subject:

Is this discussion over??

R7-12 · Tadpole Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 21

Hello all,

I didn't think this thread would be very popular as most people simply want nothing to do with scripture concerning the law of God, except perhaps for trying to assert that the law was a failed attempt by Almighty God, or of little value.

The goal here was to examine the origin of the law in order to gain a better understanding of it from a biblical perspective.

The law plays an enormous role in scripture and the plan of God. It is spoken of and explained throughout the Hebrew and Greek texts and is at the core of the gospel, yet most fear the thought of undertaking an honest study of it.

It's my hope this discussion is not over, but that depends on the interest shown by those on this board.

Perhaps a scripture would help motivate a response.

(7) The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

(8) The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

(9) The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether (Ps. 19:7-9, NKJV).

So what do these verses tell us about the law and commandments of God, and how they impact on our understanding of God's will and hence our responsibility as His called-out-ones?

R7-12