25. Law of God
"the removal of those things that are being shaken so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain" (Hebrews 12:25-27)
I. God’s Law in the Scripture
1) The first five books of the Old Testament are called the Torah in Hebrew, meaning
“instructions”  it is also the common word for the Law.
2) Psalm 119 – the longest Psalm  is all about the law. Every verse contains a word that
is a synonym for the law: testimony, way, statutes, commandments, word, precepts.....
3) Greek is as broad as it’s Hebrew prototype – nomos, reflection all shades of meaning.
4) Bible present universal laws and non-universal: ceremonial and civil laws.
5) Hebrew understanding of the Law was “holy” (Romans 7:14). Law was representing
essence of God, all the attributes of God are applied to the Law – ideal for life.
6) Psalm 19:7-8 Law of God is perfect and pure, as it is “of” God’s essence. Just as God is
unchangeable (Psalm 102:25-27; Hebrews 13:8) so is the law.
7) Decalogue – 10 commandments – God’s self revelation to His chosen people.
 Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5 have two divisions: Relationship to God and to fellow
humans, and cover 5 areas: God, holiness, family, humanity, neighbour.
 1 & 2  God is only one and relationship with him is exclusive.
 3 & 4  God’s Name & Time (Sabbath) is holy, and is to be guarded
 5 & 7  family is sacred
 6 & 8  humanity should not be violated by taking life or property
 9 &10 society and individuals are to be protected from words and desires.
8) Law is Love, because God is Love: 1st John 4:8. Jesus paraphrased the whole Law in
two precepts: Love God and Love your fellow men. (Luke 10:27)
9) Those who live and walk in the Spirit have no Law against (Galatians 5:22-23). The
implication is not absence of the Law, but no critical judgment from the Law.
10) Law defines sin (Romans 7:7) and transgression against the Law is sin (1st John 3:4)
11) Law functions like a mirror  James 1:23-25, pointing out the need for correction.
12) Law cannot absolve or remove sin (Romans 3:20
13) Jesus endorsed keeping commandments  if you want to enter life – keep (Mat.19:17).
II. Historical attitudes toward the Law
1) First official dealing with the Law was Church reply to Ebionism, a movement believing
that Christ was not here so much as to save humanity, as to call humans to obedience of
the law. This Jewish sect was considered legalistic, for clinging to Mosaic Law. They
rejected Paul’s teachings, and insisted that Law justifies, and makes man right with God.
Irenaeus (180 A.D.) wrote against their heresy
2) Clement of Alexandria (160-215) suggested that the Law was training instrument for
piety and knowledge. Since salvation has to do with the Truth, and mind renewal, then
Law, being the truth, and influencing the mind had a role to play.
3) Origen (185-254) considered law to be an allegory, eliminating its literal importance.
4) Augustine (354-430) had to deal with heretical Pelagius, and argued to the extreme that
Law did not convey grace. Pelagius considered grace coming gradually, first through
nature, then through Law, and finally through Christ. Augustine was firmly developing
teaching that grace means freedom from the law.
2
5) Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) was changing direction, suggesting that the Universal Law
is at the core of every law. Ten Commandments, the Divine Law are Principles, that are
foundational for all cultural prescriptions.
6) Martin Luther (1483-1546) lived in paradox: respecting the law through civil institutions,
as the natural law, yet disliking the Divine Law, as God’s “No” to the sinful humanity,
and seeking the Grace, God’s “Yes” to the repentant sinners. Luther’s study on Romans
and Galatians led him to conclude that the whole law, moral and ceremonial are
abolished for Christians, who are “dead to the Law.” His teaching was that Christian is
free from the law in the conscience, but not free in the flesh. His teaching led to what
today is Evangelical view of Christian being free from sin and not needed the law at all.
7) Ulrich Zwingly (1484-1531) considered Law as eternal manifestation of God’s Will. The
Law defines our guilt, (Romans 3:19-20); but in Christ we are liberated from damnation
by the Law, not meaning ignorance of it.
8) John Calvin (1509-1564) considered law as natural, written in our conscience (Romans
2:12-14) and the Written Law – instructions for perfect life and perfect justice. He
considered Law as necessary to destroy human arrogance, and lead to admission of the
need in Saviour. Law also states the price paid for liberation, and is never removed.
9) Radical Reformers – Konrad Grebel – placed emphasis on the Law moving from external
stone tables to the heart by Christ’s Grace.
10) Reformation left dissatisfaction as it retained traditional forms. Heirs of Radical
Reformation and Calvinism argued for integration of both, Law & Grace for practical
godliness (John Bunyan (1628-1688); John Wesley (1703-1791)).
11) Seventh-day Adventist movement invited Christianity to see the Law in the full Bible.
III. Law after the Cross. ?????
1) Death of Messiah brought to an end sacrifice and offerings (Daniel 9:27)
2) Veil of the Temple was supernaturally torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)
3) Since Christ has entered the Heavenly Temple, of which earthly was only a shadow, there
is no more need for the ceremonial law system (Hebrews 9:24; 10:1)
4) The ceremonial law has no binding role today it has been “nailed to the cross”
 Colossians 2:14-16 “handwriting against us”  Deuteronomy 29:20-21
 Deuteronomy 31:26  place beside, outside of the Ark
 Hebrews 9:4,10 & Numbers 10:10; 28:14 listing items of the ceremonial laws.
5) Christ’s death took away the curse of the Law, not the Law. Galatians 3:13
6) Christ came to fulfill the law – to give it fuller meaning, not to abolish. (Mat.5;17-18)
7) Galatians 3:19-29  Paul explains the purpose of the Law: the pedagogue (paidagwgo,j),
the instructor, teacher, guide, leading to maturity  not a master but a slave, who was
there for the benefit of the prodigy child, to provide protection, to help carrying utensils,
to teach manners, and to assist in fitting-in as a child grew. Paul’s argument is that
Christians are mature, and do not need tutoring, as they have the law internalized, not that
they are free to roam against the law.
8) Apostle John adds in his writings the “new commandment” (John 13:34) on which he
elaborates (1 John 2:7-8) LOVE!
3
IV. Adventism and the Law: Justice & Mercy together!
1) Definition of the Remnant as those who keep/obey/guard/protect the Commandments of
God is foundational for Adventist Understanding of Law Importance. (Rev.12:17; 14:12)
2) Prophetic message that the Law would be under attack (Daniel 7:25) warns our concern.
This attack is evidence that the law is significant in the Plan of Salvation.
3) Of interest is that the Law is revealed marking significant transition in the Vision of John
recorded as Revelations  Revelation 11:19, 15:5. the Judgment at the end will be based
on it.
4) Jesus’ rejection statement to pretentious people is based on their relationship to the Law:
“'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'  (avnomi,a) anomia.
5) The Calvary terminated the ritual law system, and reaffirmed the moral law universal.
Romans 3:31
6) The Law was kept in the Most Holy Place in the Ark of the Testimony (Exodus 25:16).
The Centre of the Most Holy Place was the Law!  symbol of God’s Throne, foundation
of God’s Government. The seat above the Law was Called – the Mercy Seat (bema).
The Sanctuary Doctrine unpacks more relationship between the Law and Grace. Here in
the symbolic Throne-room the Mercy and Justice, Grace and Law were together.
 Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy
and truth go before Your face.
 Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have
kissed each other.
7) Old Testament reveals relationship where Law condemns sin and Grace promises
salvation.
 In the Garden of Eden – Law condemned and taught guilt to Adam and Eve, Grace
did not nullify the Law, but offered a price and a promise. (Genesis 3).
 Abraham received the Covenant of Grace before any works (Romans 4:3,9; Genesis
12:1-3) Then he was invited to obedience to God’s Law.
 David outlined his faith in Psalm 103:17-18 “the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to
such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”
8) Sabbath as the Seal of the Covenant.(Ezekiel 20:12,20)
9) Ellen G. White comment on the Law sussinctly expresses Adventist perspective: “The
Law of God is a transcript of His character. ...God’s Law is the security of life and
property of peace and happiness” (Review & Herald, 1890)
10) EGW: “All legalism, all the sorrow and woe by which you may encompass yourself, will not
give you one moment of relief. You cannot rightly estimate sin. You must accept God's
estimate, and it is heavy indeed. If you bore the guilt of your sin, it would crush you; but the
sinless One has taken your place, and though undeserving, He has borne your guilt. By
accepting the provision God has made, you may stand free before Him in the merit and
virtue of your Substitute.” {Signs of the Times, April 9, 1894}
11) He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an
impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of
godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a
transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This
4
change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. {Desire of
Ages, 172}
V. Problematic texts:
1) Romans 10:4  Christ is the end of the Law  not “termination” but “fulfillment” as in
“end goal,” “purpose”  meaning of Greek word telos. Just as it is used in 1st Tim.1:5
2) Ephesians 2:14-15 “Christ abolished in his flesh the law of commandments and
ordinances”  issue dealt with at the first Jerusalem Council A.D.50 (Acts 15:29) the
concept here is not the Decalogue, but ritual laws separating Jews and Gentiles.
3) Hebrews 8:7,13  old covenant/law was faulty and is ready to vanish away.
 Fault was not in the Law of the Covenant, but in the attitude of people who pursued it
not by faith, but by efforts and works of legalism. Paul explains it in Romans 9:3032, quoting Moses in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, that righteousness and justification are
possible only by faith!
 Law was representing the Covenant, and during the engagement stage between God
and His people it was external. But upon entering the relationship – it becomes
internal. David understood it (Psalm 40:8)
 In making the Old Covenant obsolete God did not change. His desire for people to be
a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6) still remains. Now the New Covenant will be placed in
people, (Jeremiah 31:33) by the Holy Spirit indwelling (2nd Corinthians 3:6) and
changing minds to the Mind of Christ.
 The new difference is that God is going to fulfill promises for us! (Romans 7:6)
4) Philippians 3;1-11  righteousness by works is legalism and makes people “enemies of
the Cross” (v.18-19). Thinking that one can be saved by following the Law perverts the
gospel (Galatians 1:6-7) and dismisses the need for the Savior.
VI. Practical Implications & Contradictions:
1) Validity of the Ten Commandments is in general terms accepted by all Christians, but
following it obediently is considered legalism (?!) Romans 6:16  obedience is faith!
2) Interaction between two individuals requires rules for cooperation to protect each in a
relationship. Every philosophical school seeks to introduce better ‘rules of engagement’
such as traffic rules, game rules, music rules, etc.
3) No one objects to physical natural laws, yet an Absolute Law is ignored by the theory of
relativity, influencing rejection of the Absolute Moral Law.