Throughout scripture, the words of God are spread among the text through means of the Law. The Law is the word of God that commands one to do what is right based on God’s standards (Mueller, 38). The Law serves as a basis to reflect God’s holiness. The Law is God’s overall demands for people to do right things or else, there are some punishments to expect from failing in His commands. The Law tells people what and what not to do and the consequences for failing to do the right things that God wants us to do. Since the law is reflected upon God’s holly image, it is good. “Though it threatens and accuses sinners, the Law does so as part of God’s plan to reveal our sin and our consequent need for salvation” (Maas, 40). Therefore, the law gears people towards the image that God longs for us to display. Although one cannot be completely righteous, there is a possibility of coming close to it by following the goodness of God. “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the Law who will be declared righteous” (Romans 2:13).
Within the law there are three functions; the curb function, mirror function and a rule. These three uses of the law act as a path to fulfill civil righteousness to therefore become closer to Christ. The three different functions of the law all have their different effects. While these three functions are based on people’s reactions to the law, the overall outcomes are based on their sinfulness and unsuccessful completions of God’s commands. As stated by Mueller, ‘“The law affects people externally as a “curb” and internally as a “mirror”’ (Mueller, 43). The third use of the law acts as the function for someone to be saved by grace alone apart from the overall co...
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...he path of God’s goodness. Although a person cannot reach all the goals of the Law, it is in our best nature to put our faith in front of us in order to pursue the Law. After all, it is the command of God.
Bibliography
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Lems, Shane. "Reformed Leader: The Uses of the Law." (2009): n. pag. Web. 5 May 2011.
Maas, Korey. Law and Gospel. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2005. 40-43. Print.
Moore, T.M. "A Lengthening of Prosperity – Uses of the Law: A Foundation for Justice and Salvation." Christian Observer 189. (2011): n. pag. Web. 5 May 2011.
Mueller, Steven P. Called To Believe. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2006. 38-45. Print.
Romans 2:13. Holy Bible: NIV. Grand Rapids, Michigan: International Bible Society, 1984, 2001. 623. Print.
From my reading of Galatians, I would say that we should not follow the Jewish Law. If the Jewish law were the only way a person can be saved, then there would be no need for Jesus’s death. The apostle Paul also noticed this error because he tells the readers that because of his new understanding of the Law, he has come to reject the Law (Galatians 2:19). The Law is not the “end-all-be-all”, it is simply a filler until Jesus. Before the time of Jesus, people needed a moral code to live by, but they have a new Law to follow: the teachings of Jesus Christ!
Kanovitz, J. R. (2010). Constitutional Law (12th ed.). (E. R. Ebben, Ed.) New Providence, NJ,
Raz, Joseph, 1979. The Authority of Law: Essays on Law and Morality, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
The Old Testament law is seen as irrelevant by most modern Christians today. Christians are now under the blood of Jesus Christ which is said to abrogate the Law. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love God and your neighbor as yourself. This does not mean, however, that the Old Testament Law does not apply to Christians today. Author J. Daniel Hays expounds on this topic in his article, “Applying the Old Testament Law Today,” and focuses on the hermeneutical approach of Principlism. This approach allows the Old Testament Law to be viewed in light of the New Testament.
Noth, "God, King and Nation in the Old Testament", The Laws in the Pentateuch and other Essays, Oliver & Boyd 1966.
... idea of Parliamentary Sovereignty: The Controlling Factor of Legality in the British Constitution’ (2008) OJLS 709.
...rinciples of law that were founded outside of his or her own opinion. They are not the source of what is just or unjust, but rather they merely apply the rules already established from years of social progression and political influence. Thus, when Divine Command theorists argue that they have successfully conquered the Euthyphro Argument, they must be reminded that the opposite is true, and the age-old dilemma has actually reduced their deities to magistrates of morality.
A Natural Theology for Our Time, Charles Hartshorne, La Salle, Ill. Open Court, 1967, pp. 116-20
Much like the laws in the Old Testament, the law is God solving a problem before it occurs (Maxwell, 2010). As Reggie Joiner reminds us: “Relationship comes before rules” (Maxwell, 2010, 176). If a relationship forms, rules are easier to embrace. Rules are a tool to keep the ship and everyone on it going in the same direction. Shared systems of values strengthen partnerships minimizing the possibility of comprise. Values determine our actions. Our conscience can be a fickle thing if not tended to. A good study of 1 Timothy 1:5 will sharpen the cause for keeping the conscience in order and know that a good conscience is the product of a pure heart. Finally, we trust fully in God’s promises to comfort us, but need to share that same comfort through an empowerment to do so from God himself. Kept promises are the glue that holds all the guidelines together and shuttles them into the heart and soul of mankind by building
According to philosophers, there are four types of law that guide morality and behavior for humans. Eternal, divine, natural and civil laws all contribute to the quality of life for mankind, but these laws often get confused with each other. This paper will examine two instances of a clash between the civil laws of government and divine laws of religious conviction.
And again, “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus. . . since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2:16.
In his treaty On Law, Thomas Aquinas defends the position that “the law is always something directed to the common good”. Laws are thus directed toward a comm...
Public Law: Text, Cases, and Materials by Andrew Le Sueur, Maurice Sunkin and Jo Murkens (Paperback - 12 Aug 2010) chapter 8 p 368-418
Swindoll, Charles R. Swindoll’s New Testament Insights: Insights on Romans. Grand Rapides, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
We often go through life trying to decipher between right and wrong. We strive to go down the right path. Our conscience allows us to do so and is often our guide towards the fulfillment of a moral life. Our conscience is a part of us that is so intertwined with God that it allows us to do according to His law. Although, God 's law (aka external law) is only known by God, he has revealed some parts of it through our ability to reason. This is known as natural law. This natural law tells us what is right and wrong and it is our conscience that helps us to use this law daily. Without it, we would be unable to do good, it is our ultimate guide having been shaped by the teachings of the Church, personal experiences, history and so forth. Especially