The Love Behind The Law
(An overview of the Ten Commandments)
The Background
Beginning from creation as recorded in Genesis Chapter 1 right until the time when the people of Israel were delivered from their bondage in Egypt, there was no law that governed the people. As the Israelites wandered through the wilderness, Moses was faced with the formidable task of handling the hundreds of thousands of Israelites living together, and challenged with numerous issues. It was at this point that God intervened to give laws to govern the people of Israel.
These laws could be generally categorized as moral laws, social laws, food laws, laws pertaining to feasts, purity, sacrifices, priests and the tabernacle. The Ten Commandments were part of these laws, but had a most prominent place among all other laws. It is important for us to know that there were numerous laws that were given to the Israelites with regards to almost every aspect of their lives.
The origin of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are recorded in two places, first in Exodus 20:1-17, and then in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. God Himself spoke the Ten Commandments, and there was an astounding revelation of God on Mount Sinai, where the awesome presence of God was evident to Moses and the Israelites. In Exodus Chapter 32 we read that God wrote these Ten Commandments on tablets of stone, and handed them over to Moses.
We read in Exodus 32:15-16, Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.(ESV)
The Ten Commandments were therefore held in high esteem as it was hand-written, and handed over by God to the people of Israel.
What were the Ten Commandments?
To say it simply, the following were the Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
1. You shall have no other Gods before me
2. You shall not make an idol or an image in the likeness of anything in the heavens above or the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
3. Do not take God’s name in vain
4. Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false testimony
10. You shall not covet
If we read them carefully, we understand that the first four commandments were directed towards God, and the last six were commands that pertained to relationship with people.
Jesus’ interpretation of the Law and the Commandments
• Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets
When Jesus came down to the earth, the religious leaders of His day always questioned His origin and authority. Jesus spoke with authority, and performed miracles that baffled them. The teachings of Jesus seemed, on the surface, to be contradictory to the commandments that God gave Moses.
Here was Jesus’ reply to such people in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (ESV)
Jesus was explicit that He came, not to abolish the law or the prophets, but rather to fulfill all of them. Jesus was the sinless Son of God, who alone could fulfill the law perfectly, without failing in even one. There was absolutely no one before or after Jesus who could do this to a tee.
• Jesus called for a higher righteousness
To the religious leaders in Jesus’ days who satisfied with their self-righteousness, Jesus said these strong words as recorded in Matthew 5:20, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (NKJV)
Jesus was inviting people to a righteousness that far superseded that of the Scribes and Pharisees in those days. It was a righteousness that Jesus went on to explain was of a higher standard, and that those who could not adhere to it, would have no place in the kingdom of heaven.
• Jesus explained the higher laws
In Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus literally rephrased all of the commandments to help people understand the true meaning and the heart of God behind the commandments.
Jesus said it this way, “You have heard, but I say..” in order to help the people understand the high standard that God expected.
• While the law commanded that one should not murder, Jesus explained that anger, harsh words and un-forgiveness were equal to committing murder. To kill someone was the extreme act, but Jesus reiterated that those hidden emotions of hate and anger inside our hearts are in reality equal to murdering someone.
• Adultery was condemned by the law, and the one who was caught in the act of adultery was duly stoned to death. Jesus had to remind his hearers that when a man looked on a woman lustfully, he had already committed adultery with her in his heart. Jesus spoke about plucking one’s eyes out, or severing one’s hands, if they were cause for offense, meaning that one should learn to deal with their own sin severely, instead of looking for ways to stone others.
• Divorce was justified if one could give a certificate to set their spouse aside. Jesus admonished that there was no reason for divorce except sexual immorality, and that anyone who married a divorced person was also committing adultery.
• The law commanded that one should not swear falsely, but Jesus gave the higher law that one should not swear at all, but that a simple “Yes” or “No” should suffice.
• While the law taught that “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was permissible, Jesus taught that we should not resist someone who does evil, should turn the other cheek, and be willing to go the extra mile.
• While the law taught, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,” Jesus exhorted that we should love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us.
With the passing of years, the people had gotten hold of the wrong end of the law. They had missed to perceive the heart of God behind the laws, and were content to just hold on to the outward keeping of the law only. Jesus had to explain to them that God was not looking at the outside, but was more concerned about what was within man. God’s purpose for giving the laws and His standards were sadly, misinterpreted and misunderstood. When God gave the commandments, He did so with love, and the love behind the law was sadly missed.
The Twin Commandments
In Matthew Chapter 22, there was a teacher of the law who questioned Jesus, just to test him.
We read in Matthew 22:34-40, “But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 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.”” (NKJV)
When Jesus was questioned as to which was the greatest commandment, Jesus mentioned two – love God, and love your neighbor. This was a beautiful way in which Jesus summarized all of the law and the commandments, for when one loved God they would certainly keep the first four commandments, and when one loved their neighbor they would, with ease adhere to the latter six.
The purpose of the law and the commandments
It is only in the New Testament, after the coming of the Lord Jesus, that the whole purpose of the law was fully comprehended.
1. The Law was only a tutor
Galatians 3:24, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (NKJV)
In bible times there was a person called a pedagogue, who was a slave in the family, entrusted with caring and protecting the children from the age of six until their adolescence. This person was probably like a tutor whose main responsibility was to discipline the children, and teach them morals until a time when they could be on their own. Similarly, the law too was that kind of tutor which helped the people of Israel stay disciplined, and abide by the moral standards of God, until the coming of Christ Jesus into this world.
2. The Law gave us the knowledge of sin
Romans 3:20, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” (NLT)
Paul beautifully explained this in the above mentioned verse. The law gave people the knowledge of sin. Up until then they only did what seemed good to them. For example, we stop at a red light, wear a seat-belt or a helmet only because the law says so. The purpose of the laws was therefore to help humans realize how sinful they really were, and to keep themselves safe from those things that God did not approve of. Apart from the law, there was no awareness of sin.
3. No one can be justified by the law but only by faith in Christ Jesus
Galatians 2:16, “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (ESV)
It was evident over the years that not one human being was able to fulfill all that the law required. That is why no one could be justified by keeping the law, for everyone failed in some way. However, when Jesus came down to the earth as the Son of God, He alone was able to lead a sinless life, and therefore, He alone could be the propitiation for the sins of all mankind. Therefore, we are now justified, not by keeping the law, but rather by placing our faith in the Lord Jesus who paid the price for our sins on the cross of Calvary.
4. Jesus became sin so we could become righteousness of God
2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV)
Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, took on Himself the sins of all mankind, so that we could now be declared righteous, and become the righteousness of God. This righteousness cannot be earned, but received by placing our faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross on our behalf.
5. Righteousness comes by faith in Jesus
Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” (ESV)
The above verse is a testimony of the apostle Paul. Paul was a Pharisee, a learned man, faultless, when it came to keeping the law, zealous about God and one who persecuted the church of God earlier. However, when Paul had this amazing encounter with the risen Lord Jesus on the way to Damascus, his life was totally transformed. Everything that Paul held dear in his younger days, he now considered rubbish. Paul realized that his righteousness could never come from the law, but rather from His faith in Christ.
6. We are justified by grace alone
Galatians 5:4, “For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.”(NLT)
Paul goes on to warn those who were trying hard to make themselves right by observing the law that if they tried to do so, they would be cut off from Christ and would certainly fall away from grace. The point we need to remember is that we have been saved through faith and as Paul says it again in Ephesians 2:8, this is not our own doing but purely a gift of God.
7. Obedience that stems out of love
These are the words of Jesus in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (ESV)
Jesus was explicit when He said that if anyone loved Him, they would certainly keep His commandments. Let me explain this from our daily experience. Have you noticed how there is a difference when someone does something out of a sense of duty or fear, rather than with love and passion. When children at home are doing their homework out of fear, they would do so when the parent is around, and once the parent disappears they will get back to play. It is the same for an employer at work or anyone who is given a responsibility. There is total commitment when someone does something they love; it’s never seen as an ordeal. So also, when we truly love God, keeping His commandments become extremely easy as we are seeking to please the Lord we love.
8. The Holy Spirit sets us free
We read in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, has made me free from the law of sin and death.”(KJV)
As believers in the New Testament, we have the Holy Spirit of God who indwells us. The Holy Spirit teaches, counsels, reminds and helps us to fulfill the law of Christ in our lives. This law of the Spirit of life that is our thorough Christ Jesus, has set us free from the law of sin and death. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God descended on certain people to fulfill certain tasks, but for those of us who are in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit of God remains with us forever. No longer are we slaves to the law, but have been set free to live this a holy life free from sin, because of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
9. Walk in the Spirit
We are reminded in Galatians 5:16-17, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (NKJV)
If you are wondering how we can actually fulfill the commandments of God, and be in alignment to His will, it is simple. We must choose to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit every day of our lives. This is the only way that we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We must remember that there is a constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit, and if we want to live a victorious life, if is only possible when we walk in obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit of God within us.
10. Exhibit the fruit of the Spirit
We read in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (ESV)
The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives. All of the qualities mentioned above are apparent as one who walks in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Notice how there is no law against such things because all of these qualities are those of God Himself, and which He desires to see in us.
Let me conclude with these words of John in 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”(ESV) When we love God keeping His commandments are never a burden to us. Have you observed how, when you love someone, anything you do for them is never an encumbrance, but always a joy. For example when we love our family, we love to cook for them and do things for them, and never feel it is an albatross. So also, when we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then obeying His commands is a joyous experience and is the reciprocation of our love and reverence for Him. May we always be reminded that the commandments of God are for our own good, and may we truly live a life that is pleasing to God both on the inside and the outside.
