"The Law of God and the Law of Christ"

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Bible Study Guide

May 24, 2014

Sabbath School Teacher

Larry R. Evans

Introductory Comments

An old proverb says:  “A text without its context is a pretext.”  In other words, it is very possible to insert our own thoughts or prejudices about a biblical passage if we don’t first see what the Bible writer is saying. Such a simple concept, yet its implications are significant.  A familiar Bible passage illustrates this point quite well.  Consider Revelation 12:17 (NKJV and NIV)

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. [NKJV]

17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. [NIV]

While much could and should be said about this important passage, one thing is clear, those coming from the “woman” hold fast to their testimony.  That testimony can be “about” Jesus or “from” Jesus or both.  In other words, the testimonies of those faithful to God bear a resemblance to Him.  This becomes important when it comes to how we relate to “keeping the commandments of God.”  It is not just a matter of “what” but also of “how” we reflect obedience.  The question we will be pursuing in our study today is, “What kind of person should we become (are we becoming) if we keep the commandments of God?”  (cf. Matt. 7:21-23) It is then that the “what” becomes even more important.  Echoing this principle are the words of Jesus in Matt. 5:17,

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

While Jesus did it perfectly, we must ask ourselves if we are reflecting Jesus in the way we keep God’s commandments.

See Philip. 2:1-13.

[v. 12, 13 “. . .continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

 See also: Rev. 12:11

11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Note the insights John gives us for overcoming the attacks by Satan and the importance of our “testimony”.

Compare with Dan. 12:1 where God is the protector yet Rev. 12:11 says “they did not love their lives so much as t shrink from death.”  Is this a conflict or does it give further light to the meaning of “the word of their testimony?”  Does this reflect the principle of Phil. 2:1-13!!

Review Quiz

1.       The purpose of the Old Testament was to present the law as the source of “life” while in the New Testament life is shown as coming through Christ.  (Matt. 22:34-40; Deut. 6:5)  True or False?

2.      According to John 15:10 we can “remain” in God’s love only if we keep the commands that He and His Father have given to us.  (Jn. 15:9-17; Matt. 5:7-10; Ex. 20:12-17; 1 Jn. 3:16).  True or False?

3.      According to Paul’s own words, he was willing to sin in order to save others. (1 Cor. 9:10-23; Jn 13:34)  True or False?

4.      Jesus gave a new commandment, which was very different from the other commandments. (Jn. 13: 34,35.).

5.      The person who keeps the law is merciful.  True or False?

Reflections

1.       The purpose of the Old Testament was to present the law as the source of “life” while in the New Testament life is shown as coming through Christ.  (Matt. 22:34-40; Deut. 6:5) False

37 Jesus replied:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' – Matt 22:37-39

5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  – Deut 6:5,6

Neither the OT nor the NT present the keeping of the commandments as the source for life.  Jesus is the source of life (Jn. 1:3; 10:10)

2.      According to John 15:10 we can “remain” in God’s love only if we keep the commands that He and His Father have given to us.  (Jn. 15:9-17; Matt. 5:7-10; Ex. 20:12-17; 1 Jn. 3:16).  False

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.

Perhaps we could ask the question this way:  Which comes first:  God’s love for us or our keeping His commandments?

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. –Matt. 5:43-45

Note the preamble to the 10 Commandments:

1 And God spoke all these words:

2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Does our sinfulness, our disobedience, end God’s love for us?  Not if He provides the rain for both the good and the evil.  It is in this context that Jesus says, “Be perfect, therefore, as you heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48)

         3.      Jesus gave a new commandment, which was very different from the other commandments. (Jn. 13: 34,35.). False . . . but True in context.

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." – Jn 13:34,35

When Jesus gave the “new command” he also said, “As I have loved you.”

According to John 13:1 the Passover time was approaching – a reminder of the blood of the Lamb put on the doorposts of the Israelites causing the death angel in Egypt to bypass those homes.  That Lamb, of course, represented Jesus.  At the time of this “new command” Jesus knew . . .

1. He would be betrayed by Judas

         2. He would be denied by Peter

         3. He knew all the disciples would desert Him

In this context, what do you think the new command meant?  What was new was that He was living the example of “how” live and keep the commandments of God!  Despite the treatment by others His love and principled living continued.

He knew all this yet He loved them!  So we go back to the introduction:  What does it mean to “keep God’s commands and hold fast to the testimony about Jesus”? (Rev. 12:17)  What does it mean to remain in the love of Jesus? (Jn. 15:9)

4.      According to Paul’s own words, he was willing to sin in order to save others. (1 Cor. 9:10-23; Jn 13:34)  False

22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. – 1 Cor 9:22

If it isn’t his willingness to “sin” that he is talking about, then what was he willing to do for the sake of the gospel?  His love for others included self-sacrifice that others might be reached.  His prejudices, his personal preferences were put aside for others.  He understood the “new command” of Jesus. (Jn. 13:34)

Paul’s passion for the gospel as motivated by the life of Jesus sought to bring hope, peace and transformation to all.  No one escaped his heart-felt concerns.  His eyes were opened to the harvest around him! (Jn 4:35)

Paul gives several important principles for ministry: (1) Find common ground with those you contact; (2) avoid a know-it-all attitude; (3) make others feel accepted; (4) be sensitive to their needs and concerns; and (5) look for opportunities to tell them about Christ. These principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.

5.      The person who keeps the law is merciful. (Gal. 6:1,2; Matt. 18:15-20) True or False?

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

         “He [Jesus] did not censure human weakness.”      -- Ellen G. White in The Desire of Ages, p.     353.

         “We know but little of our own heart, and have but little sense of our own need of the mercy of God.  This is why we cherish so little of the sweet compassion which Jesus manifests toward us, and which we should manifest toward one another.  We should remember that our brethren are weak, erring mortals, like ourselves.”  – Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, January 25, 1883.

We need to be careful that we avoid viewing the sin of others from the perspective of comparison rather than one of compassion!  Mercy is at work in compassion but when we compare one sin with other sins as a means of justifying one sin over another we begin to weaken or lose the ministry of compassion – for others and even for ourselves.  Jesus is the Saviour for “any” sin and regardless of the sin our attention should be directed towards Him!

Conclusion

All are condemned to die for all have sinned. Grace is God’s extension of His generosity or divine favor to those who are guilty of breaking His law, which represents the principles of His kingdom. It is an offer but it is not a forced gift. Law and grace are not contrary to each other but together are part of the process designed by God for our salvation.  Keeping the law saves no one nor are we saved by “grace plus law.”  When it comes to removing guilt that we might no longer be condemned, it is only Jesus that can possibly do that for us! The law does its part by revealing the nature of God’s kingdom and our sinfulness. The law of God, then, is an invitation to walk with Him.  How we walk with Him is important but we must remember that we do not walk alone.  We not only walk with God (the first four of the ten commandments and the first four beatitudes) but we also walk with others (the last six commandments and the last five beatitudes).  The same Jesus, that not only did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, will also, by our invitation, fulfill His law in our own hearts and lives.  It is no wonder that the Psalmist was able to say, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” (Ps. 19:7)