Law Turned On Its Ear
“12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Ro 7:12-13 AV)
The Children of Israel received the law from God through Moses at Mount Sinai. Having been separated from the corruption of this world they experienced in Egypt, they were introduced to the righteousness of God. The Law was to govern them and in so doing distinguish them from all the peoples of the earth. But it was also much more than this. The Law was to be their schoolmaster revealing the very character of their Creator. The Law was to teach them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Law was to prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, in which righteousness reigns.
A Note: I pause here to remind us that often when we speak of law we are talking about those ordinances and statutes that are in place to protect us from violating law. The actual law cannot be violate without severe consequences. For example: We have signals to regulate traffic, because no more than one vehicle can occupy the same space at the same time. The actual laws aren’t negotiable. What is true in the physical is also true in the spiritual. The Laws that govern all of creation have consequences if they are violated. Those laws also reflect the character of the Creator. Sin is the violation of God’s Law and the consequence is death. The laws of God will never change. But often when we speak of law we include the works of the law and some of the ritualistic practices we see in the Old Testament. The purpose of these works are accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The fulfillment of these works satisfy the requirements of the law, and as we will see in our study, continue to fulfill the purpose of the works of the Law.
In addition to the laws and ordinances, there are what we call the works of the Law. They would include the details, order, and symbolism in the construction of the meeting place, first the tabernacle and then the temple in Jerusalem. Also included are the details and symbolism relating to the priesthood. Then there are the washings and the many sacrifices that were offered for sins and cleansing.
The purpose of the works of the Law was to show the need for redemption from our bondage to sin. The blood sacrifices were made as an atonement or covering for sin. Each one of these things was a daily reminder of our sinfulness and tendency to violate the law of God.
“3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Heb 10:3-4 AV)
The Law and the works of the Law revealed sin, righteousness, and judgment. As we are taught in the Book of Hebrews, these things were but a shadow of things to come. There was before them the continual reminder of sin and the need for a Savior.
But in time this reminder of sin was covered with an attitude of pride and arrogance. The humility and thanksgiving that accompanied the giving of the Law were replaced by their pride and arrogance. Israel’s privilege in receiving the oracles of God came with the responsibility that they were to be a light to the World and a revelation of God’s grace. Those who remained humble were indeed a reflection of that light and have come down to us as the hero’s of the faith.
But many became elevated in their own minds. They elaborated on their fulfillment of the works of the law as if their efforts were justifying them before God. In doing so they became blind to the righteousness of God that was revealed in the Law, or its reminder of their continuing sinfulness. Faith and obedience were replaced by their confidence in their works and self-righteousness.
Two things resulted from their blindness. They were unrepentant, presuming that they were righteous, resulting in a lack of gratitude and love for God. They in turn did not love their neighbor. By not acknowledging God’s mercy toward them, they extended no mercy toward their neighbor. The essence of the Law and the Prophets was lost on them because of their pride.
When Jesus addressed the matter, he got right to the heart of it. What is the greatest commandment? To Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second commandment is also like this, that you would love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands hang all the Law and the Prophets. In other words all that God has been trying to teach you through the Law and the Prophets is how to live these commandments. The problem was that in spite of the knowledge of the Law, people still ended coming up short.
When Jesus broke the Law out, it revealed to the religious people of His day how much they themselves were in need of the grace of God. The savior that they were looking for was a man who would save them from the sins of their neighbor. They considered themselves righteous through the works of the law, but it was the Law that exposed their need for a savior who would save them from their sins. Outwardly religious people learn to put on a good show. Man looks on the outward expression, but God looks on the heart. Jesus exposed that inner heart condition. Jesus said, If you look on a woman to lust, then you have already committed adultery in your heart.
The Law which exposed their sinfulness and was intended to be a schoolmaster pointing them to the truth was turned on its ear. It was instead used to mask their true heart condition and elevate themselves in the eyes of their neighbor. In their self-righteousness they were so blinded that they could not recognize grace and truth when it stood right in front of them.