Why do some Christians object to the keeping of the Law or Ten Commandments?  What is wrong with the law? Pt. 3

Dear Reader,

        Some Christians object to the keeping of the law or Ten Commandments (we shall refer to the Ten Commandments as the law in this article) for several reasons; but in so doing they throw out the baby with the bath water.  Their biggest reason for objecting to law keeping is that they think that law keeping is legalism, and that since the Bible speaks against legalism, the Bible, therefore, speaks against law keeping.

        These objecting Christians confuse the texts that say that we cannot make it heaven by law keeping with the fact that the law is necessary and ought to be kept, which the Bible itself tells us that we ought to do, for example, Paul writes in Romans, (Rom 2:13 KJV) For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

        What these well-meaning Christians do not realize is that, while keeping the law in order to be saved is wrong and impossible; law keeping, and the necessity of law, are essential, not as a means of salvation, but because God’s universe cannot exist in the absence of law.  Everything, including saints, are governed by law.  God is an orderly being, and works within the framework of law.  Jesus tells us that the man’s greatest duty is to Love God and one’s fellow man.  This is the summary of the law.  Here for example are Jesus’ words when asked which is the great commandment in the law, (Mat 22:37 KJV) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Mat 22:38 KJV) This is the first and great commandment. (Mat 22:39 KJV) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Mat 22:40 KJV) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

        Notice that Jesus divides the law into two parts, love to God and love to one’s neighbour.  In order words, if we love God we will not commit idolatry, use his name in vain, nor neglect is holy Sabbath.  And if we love our fellow men, then we will not want to steal from them, or murder anyone, and so on.  In fact, the Bible actually says this precise thing.  Here is Paul again, (Rom 13:8 KJV) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:9 KJV) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

        In the above texts Paul actually says that loving one’s fellow man is in fact keeping the law of God.  So you see, my friends, there is nothing wrong with the law, it is holy, just and good ((Rom 7:12 KJV) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good).  The problem is not the law, the problem is man’s attitude to the law.  Like the Jews of Bible times, some people today seem to think that by doing things, whether it be works, or law keeping, one can earn one’s way to heaven.  The apostle Paul makes it quite clear, that to hold that belief is to make of no effect the substitutionary life of Christ.  In other words, if we are to make it to heaven, then it is due only to what Christ has done for us.  And we have had no part in this salvation.  The only part that we humans have is to accept by faith the life of Christ in our behalf.

        However, not because we are saved by grace and not by works of the law, does it mean that we can live rebellious lives and disobey the law.  Paul puts paid that assertion when he says, (Rom 6:15 KJV) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  And again he writes, (Rom 3:31 KJV) Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

        So, my friends, there is nothing wrong with the law of God.  It is beautiful and ought to be our meditation daily, ((Psa 1:2 KJV) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night).  I leave with you the words of Christ, (John 14:15 KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.  God bless.

    Pastor Ron is a retired Adventist pastor. Reach him at ron.hende@gmail.com. with your comments.