The Eternal Law of God
The Eternal Law of God
Psalm 111:7-8:
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
The Ten Commandments of God have always existed and will always exist. This flies in the face of some claims that they were instituted at Mt. Sinai, given to the Jews, and don't apply to the Christian church, anymore.
The Law in the Old Testament
In terms of God's Law existing before Mt. Sinai, In Genesis 39:8-10, Joseph recognized adultery as a sin. However, it is the seventh commandment that forbids adultery (Exodus 20:14); so how could Joseph have known that unless he had a knowledge of God's Law? Apparently, a knowledge of the Law existed before it was announced by God to the nation of Israel and written on two tables of stone.
Not Only for the Jews
About God's Law applying only to the Jews, notice how even the Ten Commandments, themselves, say that they were not only for the Jews. In the mandate to remmeber the Sabbath day and keep it holy, it says it also applied to the "stranger" (i.e. foreigner) who lived among the Israelites (Exodus 20:10). Apparently, God wanted not only the Jews, but also those that lived among them and had a knowledge of His Law to observe it.
The Law for the Christian Church
About the Law not applying to the Christian church, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states that "idolaters", "adulterers", "thieves", and the "covetous" will not "inherit the kingdom of God." Those are all sins condemned by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 3-5, 14, 15, 17). In addition, the church of Corinth was made up non-Jewish converts who were brought into the faith by the preaching of Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Motivation for Obeying the Law
Jesus told us that He wants us to obey God's Law. He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. That gives us the motivation for our obedience to God—a love for Jesus. This love is a heart response to Jesus' love and sacrifice for us. He showed His love for us by dying on the cross for our sins; and He asks us to show our love for Him, in turn, by obeying His Law. I want to make this clear because some people shun God's Law because they see it as a form of legalism.
God's Law has always existed and will always exist. The Bible makes it evident that it predates Sinai, was not only for the Jews, and applies to the Christian church of today. It is not legalism to obey God's Law, it is love for Jesus. So don't be ashamed to obey the Ten Commandments. Remember, we don't do it in order to be saved, but because Jesus has saved us and shown us a better way of life. God bless you!
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