Category: Law Of God

The Law of God: Part 13 - Resisting the Allure of Antinomianism

10/14/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 13 - Resisting The Allure Of Antinomianism

To resist the allure of antinomianism, believers must remember that Christ has redeemed them from lawlessness.

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless (anomía) deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. - Titus 2:14

Being set free from lawlessness, no true believer would want to again enslave themselves. As well, believers must not join together, in spiritual endeavors, with those who are lawless or antinomian.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness (anomía), or what fellowship has light with darkness? - 2 Corinthians 6:14

The lawless or antinomians are the ungodly.

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness (anomía), resulting in further lawlessness (anomía), so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. - Romans 6:19

Those who practice lawlessness or antinomianism will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but be cast into the Lake of Fire.

And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (anomía). - Matthew 7:23
The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness (anomía), and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. - Matthew 13:41

Finally, believers must meditate on God’s Law, regularly.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate (hāgâ) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. - Joshua 1:8

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The Law of God: Part 12 - Antinomianism

10/10/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 12 - Antinomianisn

Antinomianism attempts to do away with God’s Law. By teaching that Christians are free from the obligations of God’s Law, antinomianism takes the Biblical teaching — that God’s Law does not save — to an unbiblical conclusion. While God’s Law is not a means of salvation, Christians are still obligated to obey God’s Law as a rule of life (cf. 1 John 5:3).

Antinomianism (anomía) comes from two terms — anti (against) and nomos (law) — meaning lawlessness. God calls lawlessness sin.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness (anomía); and sin is lawlessness. - 1 John 3:4

Indeed, antinomianism is the spirit of lawlessness that reigns in the children of disobedience.

For the mystery of lawlessness (anomía) is already at work;- 2 Thessalonians 2:7
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, - Colossians 3:6

By removing God’s Law, antinomianism results in spiritual anarchy. Such anarchy rears its head in the idea that a Christian can live a life of sin and still be forgiven. According to R. C. Sproul, the song of the antinomian is, “Free from the law, O blessed condition; I can sin all I want and still have remission!” (1)

In reality, antinomianism has produced an entire generation of professing Christians, who are still dead in sin. As Sinclair Ferguson stated, in The Whole Christ, “The wholesale removal of the law seems to provide a refuge for the antinomian. But the problem is not the law, but the heart that remains unchanged.” (2)

ENDNOTES:

R. C. Sproul, Pleasing God (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1988), 152.
John MacArthur Jr., The Right Motive in Sanctification. Grace to You Ministries, Retrieved: January 25, 2019 < https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/48-24/the-right-motive-in-sanctification >

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The Law of God: Part 11 - Implementing the Law Biblically

10/10/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 11 - Implementing The Law Biblically

Just because some aspects of the Law cannot be performed today because the conditions are unattainable, is not a valid excuse to randomly nullify God’s Law. For example, believers cannot perform Levitical sacrifices today in their backyards, because they need to be performed in Jerusalem, at the Temple, by a Levitical priest. However, believers can still live sacrificial lives. All of God’s Law still applies, it just needs to implemented Biblically.

Regarding the implementation of God’s Law Biblically, Gordon J. Wenham stated, “Instead of distinguishing between moral and civil laws, it would be better to say that some injunctions are broad and generally applicable to most societies, while others are more specific and directed at the particular social problems of ancient Israel. In this commentary the following position is assumed: the principles underlying the Old Testament are valid and authoritative for the Christian, but the particular applications found in the Old Testament may not be. The moral principles are the same today, but insofar as our situation often differs from the Old Testament setting, the application of the principles in our society may well be different too.” (1)

Believers are not in the position to pick and choose what laws they want to follow. They need to pursue all that they can in order to be wholly obedient to God.

ENDNOTES:

Gordon J. Wenham, The New International Commentary of the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979), 35.

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The Law of God: Part 10 - Faith Does Not Nullify the Law

10/7/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 10 - Faith Dies Not Nullify The Law

Faith does not nullify the Law but rather establishes it (Romans 3:31).

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish (hístēmi) the Law. - Romans 3:31

Faith does not replace the Law because the Law was never a way of salvation. The term establish is what faith does to the Law. Establish (hístēmi) means to make firm or stable, to instituting permanently by enactment or agreement. Faith does not invalidate the Law but returns it to its proper place. Returning the Law to its proper place, was Jesus’ purpose of the Sermon on the Mount. John MacArthur states: “Jesus lifted up the Law and the Old Testament so high that He wound up exposing all the Pharisees and the scribes as hypocrites. […] [Jesus] arrives and opens up His sermon by saying, ‘Here’s my standard of righteousness, and here’s how you live in the world, and the base of it all is to be obedient to God's inviolable and unchanging Law.’ Anyone who doesn't live by God’s standards, who substitutes a man-made system, is no more than a spiritual phony.”(1)

Obedience to God’s Law still results in blessing while disobedience still results in punishment.

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day… - Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. […] Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. - Psalm 119:1
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. - Luke 11:28
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. - James 1:25

ENDNOTES:

John MacArthur Jr., Christ and the Law. Grace to You Ministries, Retrieved: February 06, 2017 <http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2209/christ-and-the-law-part-1>

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The Law Of God: Part 9 - Believers Are Not Free From God’s Law

10/7/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 9 - Believers Are Not Free From God’s Law

Some claim that Jesus set believers free from God’s Law and therefore they are no longer obliged to obey it.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

There are two significant problems with this opinion. First, from what did Christ free believers? As stated previously, believers are free from the Law of Sin and Death, not the Law of God. As well, it has been established that God’s Law is not bondage. In the context of Galatians 5:1, Jesus did not set believers free from the Law of God, but rather the curse of the Law.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree— - Galatians 3:13

The curse of the Law of God is death. Christ redeemed us from the curse of God’s Law, by paying the penalty for sin.

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. - Romans 4:25

If someone pays someone else’s speeding ticket, does that abolish the speeding laws? No, it does not abolish the law. In the same manner, Jesus through the Holy Spirit liberated the believer from the yoke of bondage, the corruption of sin and death.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. - 2 Corinthians 3:17
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. - Romans 8:21

Believers are now free to live according to the Perfect Law of Liberty (cf. James 1:25) which enables one to walk in freedom.

And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. - Psalm 119:45

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The Law of God: Part 8 - God's Law Is For All

10/3/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 8 - God’s Law Is For All

Some claim that God’s Law is only for the Jews. Abraham who was not a Jew, obeyed God’s commands four hundred years before Sinai.

because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. - Genesis 26:5

When God gave His Law in written form, not only were Jews present, but many Gentiles were present as well.

The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you. - Exodus 12:49

There is no such thing as a Law of God for the Jews, and a Law of God for the Gentiles.

As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations; […] There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you. - Numbers 15:15-16

After his sin and debauchery, Solomon reviewed the futility of life without God. His final summation regarding life is that man must fear God and keep His commandments.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Notice that Solomon states that the commands to fear God and keep the Law applies to every person. Ultimately humanity will be judged as to whether their deeds are good or evil.

For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:14

For one to determine what is right or wrong, there must be one law to which all are accountable. That law is God’s Law.

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The Law of God: Part 7 - The Law is Not Burdensome

10/3/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 7 - The Law Is Not Burdensome

Some claim that God’s Law is a burden and too hard to obey. However, God did not give the Law to be a burden.

For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult (pālāʾ) for you, nor is it out of reach (rāḥôq). - Deuteronomy 30:11

The term translated as too difficult (pālāʾ) is in the niphal stem, which literally means “to be difficult or hard to accomplish physically, mentally, or ethically.” Out of reach (rāḥôq) means hard to understand. Hence, God’s Law is not hard to obey in any spectrum of life or hard to understand.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (barús). - 1 John 5:3

That God’s commands are not burdensome (barús) means that they are not hard, complicated or burdensome. Not only is the Law not hard or complicated, but God also provided it as a means to overcome temptation and sin. Jesus overcame temptation by quoting the Law (Matthew 4:4).

But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4

Notice Jesus said, “People shall live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He did not say to live by some of God’s Words but all of God’s Words.

God also gave His Law as a means by which humanity could demonstrate their love to Him (cf. Deuteronomy 30:11, 14). Nothing has changed, believers are still commanded to love God by obeying His commands.

And He said to him, What is written in the Law? How does it read to you? And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. - Luke 10:26-27

Perhaps, the reason why churches feel the need to establish additional rules and checklists is that they have jettisoned the means of loving God — His Law.

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The Law of God: Part 6 - God's Law Is Not Bondage

9/30/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 6 - God’s Law Is Not Bondage

If God’s Law is bondage, why does the godly person delight in it?

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. - Psalm 1:2
Praise the LORD. How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments. - Psalm 112:1
For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man: - Romans 7:22

If God’s Law is bondage, how is it called liberty?

So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. - Psalm 119:44-45
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. - James 1:25

If God’s Law is bondage, is loving God bondage?

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. - John 14:15
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome. - 1 John 5:3

Interestingly, love is the purpose of the Law.

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:36-40

It was because of love that God saves individuals.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, - 2 Thessalonians 2:16

It is because believers love God, that they keep His commandments.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. - 1 John 5:2

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The Law of God: Part 5 - Which Law?

9/30/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 5 - Which Law?

From which Law has the believer been freed? To answer the question, consider that there are six different Laws mentioned in Scripture: the Law of God (Romans 7:22, 25b; 8:7); the Law of Sin or Law of Sin and Death (Romans 7:23-25; 8:2); the Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2); the Law of Faith (Romans 3:27); the Law of Righteousness (Romans 9:31-32); and the Law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21).

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. - Romans 6:14

Consider two key phrases in Romans 6:14. The first phrase is, “sin shall not be master over you.” Master (kurieúō) means to be ruled by something. Another word for rule is law. Thus, believers were formerly ruled by sin. The second phrase is, “you are not under law.” Under (hupó) refers to being under the control of something. In Romans 3:9b, all people are controlled by sin. Since believers are no longer controlled by sin, they are no longer ruled by the Law of Sin.

If the believer is no longer under the Law of God, then God’s Law would be equated to the Law of Sin. There are three significant problems with equating God’s Law with the Law of Sin. One, the Law of God defines sin.

for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. - Romans 3:20

Two, breaking the Law of God is sin and sin is lawlessness.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness (anomía): for sin is lawlessness (anomía). - 1 John 3:4

Three, the Law of God wars against the Law of Sin.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. - Romans 7:22-23

It is not the Law of God that believers are no longer under, but the Law of Sin and Death. When an individual comes to repentance and faith, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ (i.e., grace) sets that person free from the bondage of sin and death.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:2

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The Law of God: Part 4 - God's Law is Not Abolished

9/26/2020

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Law Of God: Part 4 - God’s Law Is Not Abolished

One of Satan’s schemes is to convince believers that God’s Law has been annulled. However, this would be impossible. The Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).

…the Scripture cannot be broken (lúō) - John 10:35

The term broken (lúō) means to annul, done away, or declared unlawful. If the Scripture cannot be declared unlawful, then the Law contained therein cannot be annulled or done away. Jesus Himself said that He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.

Do not think that I came to abolish (katalúō) the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish (katalúō) but to fulfill (pleróō). For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. - Matthew 5:17-18

The term abolishes (katalúō) means “to completely invalidate something which has been in force.”(1) Jesus says He did not come to make the Law or the Prophets invalid. Instead, He came to fulfill them. Louw and Nida’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament states that fulfill (pleróō) means “to give the true or complete meaning to something—‘to give the true meaning to, to provide the real significance of.”(2) Strong’s Concordance further clarifies this definition. It states that fulfill (plēroō) means “to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment.”(3)

Jesus reveals the true meaning and real significance of God’s Law as demonstrated in the phrase, “you have heard it said, but I say unto you” (cf. Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28). This phrase does not mean Jesus was changing the Law. Instead, as John MacArthur states, “He is simply restating God's original intention because the rabbis had so perverted the Old Testament that He has to raise the standard back up to where God put it in the first place.”(4)

ENDOTES:

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 681.
Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 404.
James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995).
John MacArthur Jr., Christ and the Law. Grace to You Ministries, Retrieved: February 06, 2017 <http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2209/christ-and-the-law-part-1>

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The Law of God: Part 13 - Resisting the Allure of Antinomianism

The Law of God: Part 12 - Antinomianism

The Law of God: Part 11 - Implementing the Law Biblically

The Law of God: Part 10 - Faith Does Not Nullify the Law

The Law Of God: Part 9 - Believers Are Not Free From God’s Law

The Law of God: Part 8 - God's Law Is For All

The Law of God: Part 7 - The Law is Not Burdensome

The Law of God: Part 6 - God's Law Is Not Bondage

The Law of God: Part 5 - Which Law?

The Law of God: Part 4 - God's Law is Not Abolished

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