The Law of the LORD is…

Many things.

This morning I continue my study of the word “law”. I am in Psalm 19 which is titled, “The Law of the LORD is Perfect” in my ESV Bible. As I read the passage, I find that the Law of the LORD is much more than just perfect. I know, what could be more than perfect, that is what I was thinking as well, until reading and meditating.

“⁷The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

⁸the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

⁹the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.”

— Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV)

We have the “law”, “testimony”, “precepts”, “commandments”, “fear”, and “rules” of the LORD and each are independently described/defined as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and/or “true”. As I reviewed this passage and looked for understanding, I had a unique observation. One can substitute “Word” or “Law” in any position. In that substitution, there is no loss in truth. Whereas it does not seem to work with any of the others. Oh, yes the substitution can be made, but the value of the phrase loses some impact.

The Law of the LORD is the Word of the LORD and therefore both have impact in all scenarios. We can use the Law and Word interchangeably wherever we might be and there is no loss as to the meaning. The Word of the LORD and the Law of the LORD are the same that are referred to in our reading, learning, understanding, and knowing as we traverse this world.

Don’t get me wrong, all of the words used are valuable and teach us as to the breadth of God. Those other than the Word and Law, where they have impact, are not as universal to me. They are specific in their use.

I see that the Law of the LORD can be used in all scenarios to guide and direct me. I see that the Law of the LORD is “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”. I see that the Law of the LORD is many things and all things to me.

What is your view of the Law of the LORD? Are you looking to it as one thing? What if you were to see it as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”, in short as many things?

The Law is for the Immoral

How often is it that you are breaking the law? Do you even think about the law as you go through your daily life? Are you concerned with your actions and how they align with the law? I can say that for me, I rarely think about whether or not something I am doing is legal or not. I will look to whether or not it is right.

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” – 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV)

Looking at the above passage, we see that the law was put in place, not for those who are “just” it is put in place for those who would be unjust or “lawless and disobedient” or immoral. Those who are “just” and right, do not need the law as they follow the LORD and the path that He has laid out for them.

I am not saying that the law is not needed. What I am saying is that it is in place for those who are not followers of Christ and His righteous direction. Those who follow Christ do work for Him and therefore are not working against the law. It is not that they are ignorant of the law or choose to disobey the law, it is that it just does not come up as they are already in standing in morality according the God.

It is certainly difficult to understand for those who are not followers of Christ. They would contend that the law is for everyone and that even followers of Christ are subject to the law. I would not argue with their assertion. I would state that there is no real thought as to what is legal or illegal as the situations rarely arise and when they do, the thought of “What Would Jesus Do” is guiding action as opposed to the law.

Now, the other question, what if a follower of Christ does indeed break the law? Great question. Then they are subject to the consequences. Following Christ is going to put you in positions where choices will be made as to legality or right. There are times when the right thing to do is not in line with what is legal and for that followers of Christ are subject to the consequences of going against the law. Again, it is not that the law is being ignored, it is that following Christ is taking the right actions.

For all there direction. For the Christian, that direction comes from God and His Word. The law is in place for the immoral who have no other guide as to what is right and what is wrong.

Where do you find your guide? Are you in the camp of needing the law to determine what you can and cannot do? What if you followed Christ, knowing that your actions are right?

Desire to Do What is Right

Doing what is right is not easy.

Oh, let me explain. There is what is right and then there is what is legal. This morning I continue my study of the word “desire” and was led to Romans chapter 7 and the passage titled “the law and sin”. A great passage that Paul wrote describing how the law leads to sin in that before we knew the law, we could not sin against it. Yet now that we know the law, we find ourselves fighting with sin over it.

“¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” – Romans 7:18-20 (ESV)

Paul understood that our flesh self is controlled by the sin in the world. That when we set out to do something, we are blinded by that in the world that keeps us in line according to the law. And by doing so, we are a slave to sin that is found as a result of the law.

But, Paul also understood that internally we are good thanks to the LORD. We have accepted Him into our hearts and there He dwells within us to provide us that guidance to what is good and right. We have, as Paul states and I believe as well, “the desire to do what is right”. Yet, we have the world out there advising to follow the law and therefor are driven to sin.

It is interesting that Paul declares that he does not have the ability to carry out what is right when in fact he is imprisoned for doing the work of the LORD. Paul was unapologetic at doing the work of the LORD and for that he was imprisoned. He was not following the law, but following that what is right in the LORD. But, Paul, being the man of God he was, was not satisfied with just his doing what was right. He wanted that all would do right.

Again, doing what is right is not easy. I may be contrary to the law of man. But, I have to remember that what is legal, or within the law, may not always be what is right in the name of the LORD. I have to obey the law of man where I can and when the Law of God, or that which is right, is more than the law of man, I should do that which is right. I am judged physically here in this world, but the judgment of the LORD in heaven is where my allegiance is ultimately found. The consequences of this world are of no consequence when I have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

What actions are you generally taking? Are you following the law, or what is right? What if you worked to do what is right regardless of the consequences in this world knowing that you answer to the LORD ultimately?