God's Way Vs. Man's

God’s Ways Vs. Man’s Concerning The Law

Introduction: Recent events in the news has illustrated to me there is something wrong with the way people view the law. I am first of all speaking of the law of the land but I believe this carries over to how man view’s God’s law. To be sure God’s way is the right way and sometimes God’s does this think as man thinks, Isaiah 55.8 & 1 Samuel 16.7b points this out to us.

I. Correct Way of Viewing the Law

a. The law is to be obeyed, 1 Samuel 15.22

i. It is not up to us to decide whether the law is right or wrong

b. Those guilty of the law are punished, Romans 6.23

II. Recent Events

a. There are over 11 million illegal immigrants in this country.

i. Congress has passed various laws trying to control immigration.

ii. Many have abided by the law, filled out the paper work, taken the time necessary, and done what the law demanded to be here legally. Proving that the law can be obeyed.

iii. Others have violated the law, in essence making judgment on the law and deciding not to abide by it.

1. We read of a time like that in the history of Israel, Judges 21.25.

III. Man’s Ways Of Dealing With This Law

a. Ignore the law(s) you don’t like.

i. We see this all the time; drug dealers, prostitutes, stealing, etc.

ii. Most realize these things are against the law but they ignore it.

iii. One town in California instructed its police officers to not arrest any illegal immigrants.

iv. A couple of years ago one Mayor decided to give out marriage licenses to homosexuals.

v. In Delaware one judge refused to give a man convicted the sentence the law stipulated.

b. Pardon those guilty of breaking the law

i. Some are calling this amnesty. The idea is to either give then a card allowing them to stay here for a number of years and if they stay out of trouble they become full residents.

ii. This in essence rewards those here illegally.

c. Change the law

i. Here we realize man may from time to time change hislaw(s).

ii. Realize they are unjust or no longer germane to what is happening in our society.

d. Argue that it may be wrong but everybody else is doing it.

i. Most states have laws against couples just living together.

ii. Since most are ignoring the law they might as well go along with the crowd.

iii. Does anyone believe the immigration problem would be handled the same way if only two or 3,000 people were involved.

IV. God’s Way

a. God will enforce His law on the day of Judgment, John 12.48

i. God is truthful and will be true to His word.

ii. Those guilt of one point are guilty of the whole law, James 2.10-11

iii. It is not up to man to decide what he wants to obey and not obey.

b. God will pardon those willing to obey His law

i. This pardon is not “unconditional”

ii. God sent His Son for the whole world, John 3.16

iii. However, for one to be saved they must obey the words of Jesus, John 14.15.

iv. God’s first law of pardon

1. Hear the gospel, Mark 16.15

2. Believe the gospel, Mark 16.16

3. Confess Jesus as the Son of God, Acts 8.37

4. Repent of your sins, Acts 17.31

5. Be Baptized for the remission of your sins, Acts 2.38

v. God’s second law of pardon

1. A Christian must repent and confess their sins to God, Acts 8.24

2. Go to one they have sinned against, public confession when necessary.

vi. One not abiding by the law will not be pardoned.

c. God does not go by majority rule, Exodus 23.2

i. God wants His people to be “peculiar” different, 1 Peter 2.9; 4.4.

d. God will not change the perfect law of liberty, James 1.25

i. Jesus in speaking of the law of Moses, Matthew 5.17-18

ii. Unlike man’s law God’s law is perfect and is timeless.

iii. It contains both grace and justice. Romans 6.14, 17-18

1. Grace to pardon those guilty but willing to obey.

2. Justice in it punishes those in sin. Romans 6.23a

iv. It applies today just as it did in the first century.

Conclusion: The way one views the law is the way one views God. It one views the law as unjust and unkind they view God the same way for He is its author. One can not rightly place God against His law or the law against God.

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