Many misunderstand certain statements in the bible referring to something being against us. Many say it’s the law and that it is actually against us putting us in bondage. Let’s examine this idea together. We are first going to see what the scriptures say about the law.
In Deuteronomy 6 let’s look at verse 2-3:
2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
So far it definitely does not sound like something against us, as a matter of fact lets look at verse 24-25:
24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.
On the contrary the bible says that the law is FOR OUR GOOD. This is completely opposite to the notion that the law with the statutes and Judgments are of itself against us.
Even Paul confirms this sentiment in Romans 7: 10-12
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Paul says that the law was to ordain life but He himself found it to bring death, and says why in the following verses: 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Paul was saying that the law if followed (Through Christ strength of course), It would ordain life but because Paul has broken it, It revealed that He has been unfaithful to God and in turn brought death or in other words a curse on himself. Therefore the law its self was not against Paul but His sin was causing a curse or death to be placed on Him in which only Christ can remove. Let’s examine this a little more.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that THOU MAY LIVE and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.17 BUT if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live:20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Just like Paul’s sentiment about the law. Its not the law that brings death, it was given for the Good of man and to guide man to God which is LIFE, but Sin and disobedience brings death and the curse as Moses states here.
Paul says also in Romans 6:23: 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So why do so many people think that the laws of God was against us?
It from a misunderstanding of Deuteronomy 31:26-30 which states:
26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
This is the verse that is taken out of context to show that the law itself is against us, but if we continue reading we will see why Moses makes this statement.
27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended
So we see that the law was against them because even at that moment they were turning from God and worshipping idols. When this happens a curse which is death is on the sinner. The Law just points out whether you have the curse or the blessing from God. The law itself is holy and is beneficial but when we live contrary it points out that we have sinned and that the curse is over us. This is why Jesus came to take away the curse of the law and write the law in our hearts that we will never depart from God by living contrary to His law (word).
The law is for us, it is our school master. When have a school master ever been known to be against us? Never, they are for us, to teach us and to point to the life which we have ONLY in Christ. Now we are free in Christ from the dominion of sin not the law. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected].