This week we began a new teaching series over the Ten Commandments. What a great way to begin a new year, by focusing on the commands of God! Unfortunately, what often comes to mind for most people when they think about laws and commandments is the loss of individual freedoms. To many of us, the Ten Commandments are oppressive and not a cause for celebration.
As Cody pointed out in his sermon, this stems from a fundamental misunderstanding about what the law is, and what God intends for us through it. When we view God's commands rightly, we see that, not only are they not confining to our souls, but in fact, they are a source of great freedom.
The great Reformer, John Calvin, in his Institutes, identifies three distinct and important uses of God's law for humanity:
1. It serves as a mirror.
God's law is first and foremost a reflection of God himself. Thus, it carries with it many of his attributes. As such, we can rest assured in knowing that, like God himself, his law is good, just, impartial, loving, and trustworthy, among other things. If God himself were to look into his law, what he would see is a reflection of himself and his character. This is important for us to understand because that is NOT what we see when we peer into it.
As sinners, the law serves primarily as a measuring stick against which we are to measure ourselves. Typically, our inclination isn't to measure ourselves against a greater standard, but rather to seek a lower standard that serves to make us look good. "At least I'm not as bad as Bob..." is the way a typical defense of our own moral character begins. However, God has not intended us to compare our righteousness to that of other sinful men, but rather we are called, in his law, to view ourselves in light of who he is. In this sense, God's law serves as a mirror or a light to illuminate the dark places in our own lives and to reveal where we are in need of genuine repentance.
2. It serves to restrain evil.
The laws of God are the basis for human justice. Whether we want to acknowledge him or not, it is the image of God which we bear that leads us to understand and acknowledge the fundamental principles upon which civilization as we know it rests. For example, the reason we don't go to and fro killing one another like wild beasts is because we inherently know and understand that life has value; and to kill another man out of anger or spite is wrong. Now, does this mean that in the depths of our depravity, we aren't able to stray so far from God that we no longer value life? Of course we all know that's not true. Our news is full of reports of violence and murder.
And yet, despite how badly sin has marred the image of God in us as individuals and as a people, we still see the hand of God in restraining the sinfulness of men. Law and order still rule our society; and justice, at least in some small measure, can and is still served, as we await the coming day of the Lord when justice will "roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24).
3. It serves to reveal what is pleasing to God.
For those who are called to be his children, the law of God is a delight to their hearts. Listen to the psalmist's description in Psalm 1:1-3:
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Here the man of God isn't described as someone that is lacking in anything (personal freedoms, happiness, fulfillment, etc.), but rather as someone who is filled up. God's law is meant to produce human flourishing and when we see it that way, we rejoice in it. Through his law, God has revealed to his children what is pleasing to him. And what pleases God is what most benefits the children with whom he is pleased to share all that he has, as a good and loving Father.
For "homework" this week, Cody suggested that we spend some time in Isaiah 44. His purpose was to highlight some of the language in there revolving around God's jealousy for his own glory and the folly of idolatry (a subject I suspect we will go into much greater depth with in the upcoming sermon over the Second Commandment). What struck me about Isaiah 44 though was how it begins.
The first five verses are promises to the people from God. He is, seemingly, reassuring them of who they are. "You are mine," he says. It isn't until verse 6 that he really begins to speak of his own greatness, and even then, it feels like more of a loving reminder of encouragement for his children rather than a warning of impending wrath for idolaters. In other words, God is reminding them that they are his, and then reminding them of why that is such good news...because they are children of the King, the one with all of the power and glory!
We are created to worship and when not properly focused, our worship will always be directed towards the wrong things...things that are unworthy of our worship and that are unable to bear the weight of it. This is idolatry and it is where God begins his law..."I am the Lord your God, and you shall have no other god before me." God desires our worship and he, and he alone, rightly deserves it. When we delight in God and in the vastness of his loving-kindness toward us in the gospel, when we were yet his enemies, we can't help but overflow in affection for him. This loosens the chains that bind us and produces great freedom in our lives.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 1 - The First Commandment
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. Why does God give His children commandments?
2. Can law and love coexist?
3. What happens if we break the first commandment?
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