"God’s Laws Are Written in Our Heart" - Basic Building Block #5
Date: Jan 12, 2009 Posted By: Rick Warzywakwww.muiczone.com
Observation: Certainly God's grace and love are prevalent themes in His Word. At times, many shy away from the right use of God?s (moral) law. Yet we will see in the scriptures it is a very useful tool we can use as a basic building block because it is written into our heart. The law is good! Teaching the "right use of the law" helps prepare the church to be more effective and better influence the world around it. We are saved by grace, but it is the right use of the law that can act as a teacher to bring us to Christ. We cannot be saved by keeping the law, but when used and properly applied, it will resonate with the inner man and give us a better understanding of the nature and character of God. For many who have a heart for evangelism, it is a lost building block to win souls for the kingdom of God.
I am speaking of the moral law of God and not the ceremonial or letter of the law of the Old Testament! The Ten Commandments are the basis of the moral law. It is all embodied in the two greatest commandments: to love God with all your heart, mind and soul; and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). When it comes to properly applying the law, we must know the difference between "have to" versus "want to." Wanting to do something is true freedom and love. When we "have to" do something, it is a form of legalism and bondage.
Point to Ponder: "The moral law is designed to destroy self-righteousness and teach men their need of an atonement and Savior. In short, God's law is obviously designed to declare the perfection of God and the total depravity of man." ? Charles Finney
Defining Our Terms
Defining terms is necessary in order not to confuse grace and God's love with His moral law. It is the misunderstanding of the right use of the law that has caused much confusion in the body of Christ. As the scriptures below are studied and explained, a deeper understanding should come forth. It is no coincidence that many in society are trying to destroy and throw out the Ten Commandments. This should reveal something in itself. They are a useful tool and a basic building block to strengthen our faith.
Moral Law -- A universal, unchanging rule proceeding from godly authority or divine intelligence, to which moral beings ought to conform, that will protect the basic rights and bring happiness to all; a rule for action, with certain resultant consequences for obedience or disobedience.
A moral law, or any law for that matter, without sanctions is not a law, it is a device; the law is a fence to show not only ownership but protection. The moral law proposes to all people only one end in the pursuit of God, and that is love. This love wills the highest good towards all people where there is no underlying selfish motive. This love has the best interest of another person at heart without contemplating any reward. In saying this, if the Ten Commandments were totally obeyed, the kingdom of God would be evident on earth.
Letter of the Law - This deals with the outward keeping of the law. The letter of the law is the literal meaning, without regard to the motive or principles behind the law.
Spirit of the Law - It is the reason, intent, or motive for keeping the law, or the principle behind it. The ultimate spirit of the law is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1Timothy 1:5).
Point to Ponder: "All the Ten Commandments, like ten great cannons, are pointed at you today, for you have broken all God's statutes, and lived in a daily neglect of all his commands." ? Charles H. Spurgeon
Scripture Study Reference #1
"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them (Romans 2:14-15)."
Key Application Point: The law is innate and in our hearts!
Every individual born has an inner knowledge of good and evil. This law that was written into our heart has kept mankind in somewhat of a check and balance. If these standards of right and wrong were removed from the fabric of man, society would be in utter chaos and destroy itself very quickly. The evil nature of man and his rejection of godly authority has been making attempts to remove the Ten Commandments from society for quite some time. In reality, the Ten Commandments are the ten freedoms, and not the 10 restrictions keeping you in some barbed wire enclosure. They may be likened to a set of railroad tracks that keeps the train on course, but without those tracks, the train would crash. Man has the ability to make the correct choices because the law is innate, or in our hearts, and it bears witness with a conscience that God has provided us with. Down deep inside, man knows the difference between right and wrong, until he sears and calluses his conscience, then sin begins to take over his life.
Point to Ponder: "The highest service to which a man may attain on earth is to preach the law of God." ? John Wycliffe
Scripture Study Reference #2
"Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good (Romans 7:12)."
"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin (Romans 7:14)."
"But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, (1Timothy 1:7-9)."
Key Application Point: - The law is good!
The scriptures testify of the goodness of God's moral laws. It is man, because of his self-centeredness and selfishness, who breaks and tries to remove himself from the accountability of the law. Psychology has made many attempts to make man free of any accountability of wrongdoing and has inflicted much damage in this process to society as a whole. Men like Sigmund Freud and Dr. William James, the father of modern psychology, have denigrated the Ten Commandments, and nearly as well as directly denied that there are moral absolutes. They have tried to alleviate man's guilt, depression, and condemnation, but it is to no avail. The only way to be set free is through Jesus Christ, as there is no escape from the law that is holy, good, and just, but reveals the sinful heart of man. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) and it is His righteousness, through faith in Him, which saves us.
Point to Ponder: "The first duty of the Gospel preacher is to declare God's law and show the nature of sin." ? Martin Luther
Scripture Study Reference #3
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:21-26)."
Key Application Point: The moral law leads people to Christ!
When the moral law is used properly, it becomes a tutor or schoolmaster to lead people to Christ. The outer revelation of the moral law (10 Commandments) bears witness to the inner revelation of the moral law written within the heart (Romans 2: 14-15). This grinding of the outer revelation of God?s law, bearing witness with the law in our heart, brings conviction of sin in man?s conscience. The need for a Savior, Jesus Christ, becomes very evident. This is what we mean by right use of the law. It in no way negates God?s love, grace, and mercy, but in fact, enhances it. The need for mercy, and God?s willingness to give it, is magnified.
Point to Ponder: There is an attempt to remove the right use of the law in evangelism today. It is implied that this is not a loving approach to spreading the Gospel because people already know they are sinners, and do not need to hear the 10 Commandments of God. It is perceived as showing a lack of love, where instead it awakens the seared conscience to the need for a loving Savior. This is an act of love itself!
Many people walk around and believe they are good when the scriptures testify that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We have created an age of easy believism, where the moral laws of God are neglected, not even known, or not lived up to. Seeker friendliness abounds, where we attempt to pacify and make people feel good and not offended, and we masquerade it by calling it love. So a church is groomed that is filled with hypocrisy and a people who have divided hearts, and Christ ends up being a lucky, religious rabbit?s foot to rub when things go wrong. Research substantiates these claims!
How do we know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that there is a need for a Savior? The expression and revelation of God's law brings to light this very important fact. Point to Ponder: "Lower the law and you dim of the light by which man perceives his guilt; this is a very serious loss to the sinner than a gain; for it lessens the likelihood of his conviction and conversion. . . I say you have deprived the Gospel of its ablest auxiliary (its most powerful weapon) when you have set aside the law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. . . they will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary purpose, and it must not be removed from its place." ? Charles H. Spurgeon
THE MORAL LAW: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus 20:1-17) ? MEMORIZE THEM!
I have declared the $10 challenge on a number of university campuses. I would wait for a nice day when students would be sitting and listening to a message that I purposely developed regarding the importance of the Ten Commandments. Then the challenge was given! I would ask, in a very direct, audible voice, if anybody who was listening could list the Ten Commandments in order. I would give them $10 if they were able to. Not one student yet has been able to list all ten in order. Some have come close. It is very interesting to watch the faces of students after the challenge is given. They look around to see if anyone else knows them, or would get up to try and list them. After a moment of silence among the students, I then ask if they knew some pertinent facts about Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan or other movie star, or media personality. The point is well made!
Remember, 5% of professing Christians know the Ten Commandments. Should I expect anything more on a college campus? Maybe a $10 Starbucks gift card would make a difference. You would be surprised at how few people can repeat the Ten Commandments in order even in the church.
Point to Ponder: If, when the law of God is laid out before you, you were not convinced that you have sinned against God, it will take hell to convince you.
1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Have you always loved God first and foremost and above all else?)
2. You shall not make any graven idolatrous images. (Have you created a god in your mind that you're more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself?)
3. You shall not take God's name in vain. (Have you ever used God's name in profanity, swearing? Have you misrepresented Him when you claim to have known Him?}
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Have you set a designated day during the week to rest in God and seek His presence where He is the focus of that day?)
5. Honor your father and mother. (Have you always respected your parents and honored them?)
6. You shall not murder. (God considers hatred to be as murder ? even angry words that are filled with malice. Yes, abortion is also murder.)
7. You shall not commit adultery. (Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart ? pornography, premarital sex, etc.)
8. You shall not steal. (Have you ever stolen anything? Small or big is not the issue, but stealing is. What is the difference between robbing a small or large bank?)
9. You shall not lie. (Have you lied even once? A white or small lie is still a lie.)
10. You shall not covet. (Have you ever passionately desired what doesn?t belong to you?)
Point to Ponder: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." ? James Madison
The moral law is a good thing, as it expresses the perfection of our God and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came in the flesh as God. He was tempted in all points that we are tempted, and in Him was found no sin or wrongdoing. Jesus was the unblemished Lamb and the perfect sacrifice. So the right use of the moral law shows our inadequacies, and how we have failed brings to light, again, our need for a Savior.
I was open-air preaching God's Word on the Central Michigan University campus. It was a warm, beautiful, sunny fall day. Students were sitting on the lawn and on rocks and benches, listening. Out of the clear blue, a young man came right up into my face and began to threaten me. He called me various names, including some I never even heard of. He was so angry! He began his tirade by saying how judgmental and accusatory I was. Why was I calling him so many names? He said I was not his judge and that religion is a personal thing. All I did was quote scripture; I was reviewing the Ten Commandments. I had no right to be there proclaiming what I was saying, he admonished. He was literally ordering me off the campus, and It appeared I was about to get my face rearranged as he was on the edge of "sidewalk rage." The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Remember, soft words turn away wrath." Thank God I listened and avoided a facial makeover. I began to reason with him about what Jesus came to earth for. I indicated that the refresh button of his conscience was hit, and what he was feeling was a good thing. Now he needed to turn his life over to Christ, and repent and ask for forgiveness. I asked him, if I was correct in my presentation of God?s Word, would he indeed be in trouble? He wouldn?t answer the question!
Why did he react in such a manner? I did not know, nor had I ever met the young man. It was the right use of the law that brought him to this point of despair. The outer revelation of God's law bore witness with the inner revelation of the law in his heart. His conscience drove him to this anger, and he was emotionally overwhelmed. I shared with him the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins. He walked away very disturbed. I saw him weeks later, at the University Cup coffee shop I frequent before I go onto that particular campus. He kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye as I studied my Bible. A week later, I ran into him again, standing behind me in line at that very same coffee shop. God spoke to me to offer to buy him a cup of coffee. He refused my offer, but I could tell he was disarmed by this act. He never screamed at me again on campus, and only God knows what his final decision was.
I Am a Good Person...RIGHT!
Teaching the right use of the law as a basic building block gives people a great tool for future evangelism efforts and helps them understand themselves. Many people who do not know the Lord, Jesus Christ, make a common statement when confronted. They say they are "good," nor do they hurt anybody. They ignorantly live life believing they will never face judgment from God because they are such good people. Christ is not in their hearts as Lord and Savior, and it is very evident they are living for themselves. Some have even made a mental ascension of belief in Christ, but they live a life of moral depravity, totally separated from the church and God's people.
So what can you do or say to these people who are under the false assumption that they are blameless? Use the law in the correct manner. You can ask them some simple questions and easily prove what the Bible says: that none are good. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever lusted after a man or a woman? We can utilize the Ten Commandments to show people that they are not as virtuous as they think.
We may be a good person compared to an Adolf Hitler, an Osama Bin Laden, or some serial killer, but compared to God's law we fall short of the mark. This is where the love of God and Jesus Christ begins to look appealing. If you see a sheep on green grass, it appears to be fairly white. If you compare that same sheep to a fresh snowfall, however, it will not appear so white anymore. I have used this tool in evangelism on thousands upon thousands of people. It is an enlightening time for them, as they now directly face the moral law of God. It is like a heart being ground between two millstones: The moral law on the outside (Ten Commandments) bears witness to the inner law placed by God within the inner heart of man (Romans 2:14-15). A "stew in your own juice" experience results causing great inner conflict.
Point to Ponder: "Evermore the law must prepare the way for the Gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the church with false converts. . . time will make this plain." ? Charles Finney
Scripture Study Reference #4
"Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law(Romans 13: 8-10)."
Key Application Point: - Love is the fulfillment of the law!
Jesus said a number of times, "If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15)." It is no wonder that we are witnessing a battle over the Ten Commandments within our nation?s court systems. Is it possible that we are being made ignorant and being moved away from a very basic foundational truth that can be used to win souls for Christ? I indicated earlier how in numerous debate formats, discussions, and presentations in churches I had asked how many people know the Ten Commandments and can recite them in order. In fact, very few people even know the Ten Commandments, let alone can recite them in any order. In fact, ignorance of the moral law of God is in the 90 percentile.
As we look at court battles on the local, state, and national levels, we see intense confrontations regarding the Ten Commandments. I see the enemy of our soul at work in this process. Building blocks of our faith will always be targeted by the enemy of our souls. I understand the right use of the law and its witness to society around us. The absence of the Ten Commandments will lead to every justice system failing. Eliminating them, certainly, will not help remove the guilt that is within, because the law is written in our hearts. We must uplift and teach the Ten Commandments to keep and win this present and our future generations! They keep man accountable. Teaching and utilizing the Ten Commandments in no way negates the importance of the grace of God and his love for mankind. They keep man in check, as they are moral absolutes that we need to live by.
One nice afternoon at the University of Michigan, I was debating a young man on the law of God and its importance to society. He told me he believed that there is no right or wrong. I noticed there were a number of girls listening to the dialogue. I asked this young man if it was okay to rape a girl. He said it was fine in some circumstances, and the girls? jaws dropped as feminist missiles were launched. They couldn?t believe what he had said. I said to the girls, "Do not go out on a date with this guy!" He walked away quite sheepishly, embarrassed after he realized what he had said. He may have to change his identity on that campus. I have asked this same question, on a number of campuses, in similar situations, and it never ceases to amaze me how can anyone think this way.
Moral relativism is simply a belief that there is no right or wrong. Try to think of a society with no restraints. The selfishness of man would bring chaos. What would happen if we lifted laws against rape or theft for 30 days in any given place? What would be the result? Moral absolutes exist!
Point to Ponder: "Although the law disclosed and increases sin, it is still not against the promises of God, but is, in fact, for them. For in its true and proper work and purpose, it humbles a man and prepares him ? if he uses the law correctly ? to seek grace." ? Martin Luther
God's moral laws are good, and designed to protect the innocent. They were not designed to be rigid or restrictive. We would have little need for law enforcement or police if society would respect and obey God's laws. Why are some so bent on negating them in our society? Should we teach our children instead to lie, cheat, and steal, as well as commit adultery? Do we want to see our nation catapult into bondage? Jesus Christ came to set us free. I look at organizations such as the A(nti) C(hristian) L(itigation) U(nit) at times and see them bringing us into slavery instead of freedom. When we become ignorant of God's laws and his knowledge, society becomes depraved and licentious. So ignorance is not bliss as some say.
Scripture Study Reference #5
"Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ?Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?? Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22: 35-40)."
Key Application Point: - The greatest commandment is love!
After all is said and done, loving God and our fellow man is the call from on high to each and every one of us. The first four of the Ten Commandments refer to loving God, while the remaining six refer to loving our fellow man. The moral law has never been done away with. As defined in the beginning of this section, we know that true love manifests when it wills the highest good of another with no selfish motive of expecting anything in return.
Point to Ponder: "I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him." ? Napoleon Bonaparte
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