We hear so much teaching about the horrors of the Law and how destructive it is to man, but are we missing something? Would God speak forth something that was contrary to His nature? I understand that when the Law comes into contact with flesh, there is no remedy. I understand that no one can keep the Law, and I understand that we have been redeemed from the curse of the Law. (The curse was that no man could keep it, thus, death).
However, what is the foundation for God’s Law? Let’s relax for a moment and consider the following:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." (Mt. 23:23)
Jesus declared that justice, mercy and faith were the true motivations behind the Law. The deeds of the Law were of secondary importance.
Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Mt. 22:37-40)
Loving God and loving your neighbor were the key purposes of the Law.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)
Justice, mercy and humility before God were to be the results of the Law.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! (Rom. 7:7)
The Law was not sin, nor did it produce sin.
Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. (Rom. 7:12)
The Law is holy, just and good. This is contrary to much popular teaching today, but we must be accurate in our evaluation of God’s Law. The Law isn’t our problem. Flesh is our problem.
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom. 7:14)
Now the conflict is made clear. Sin in the flesh is allergic to God’s Law of love, justice mercy, humility and faith. That which is spiritual, holy, just and good can only reveal the weakness of human flesh and mortality.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: (Gal. 3:21)
The Law isn’t against the promises of the gospel. In fact, it reveals Jesus and His promises.
David declared:
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Ps. 119:18)
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. (Ps. 119:72)
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. (Ps. 119:142)
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Ps. 119:165)
That is why Paul declared, "that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
Look for God’s justice, mercy and faith in His Law which is Truth. You’ll find Jesus!