Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Law and Gospel


"The purpose of the law is not to restrict man's life but to fulfill it. 
When man disobeys that law, it becomes a death sentence to him; 
when he obeys it, it becomes life to him. 
By Christ's atonement, we are removed from self-atonement, 
from sin and death, and established in truth and life." 
- R. J. Rushdoony, Revolt Against Maturity, p. 198

"For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light..." (Pro. 6:23)

Deuteronomy 30:15-19 says, "I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live..." 

As Kevin Swanson noted, in Revelation Christians are defined as those "who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17) Clearly those who hate God and His law are not regenerate.

God's law is His standard, defining what is righteous and just, and what is sin. By it we are condemned to death. God loved us and sent Jesus to die for His people, taking the sentence we deserve and imputing His righteousness to us. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

Having been forgiven much, we love much. "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4) 

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all 
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus 
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
~Ephesians 3:20-21

1 comment:

Melody Joy said...

Wow, it's so providential that the Lord would have you post this just at this time, this subject has been much on my mind recently, and a topic of some conversation in our home lately, and the verses you used were what I was just studying last night. :D

Thank you for sharing! Rushdoony's comments on God's word are usually so sound and helpful!