This unusual and insightful study is
especially valuable because it describes in detail the Psalmist's
sentence; Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from
Your law. Ps.119:18
Many Christians have been taught to
think negatively about God's law. A common misconception has been
to pit the law against grace. God's law, the depiction of His holy
character, has for many, become hated and despised. It is sometimes
condemned as impractical and unreasonable. This is a modern
heresy.
When the apostle says to the
Galatians, If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the
law, he is correcting the sacrilege of the Jewish religious
leaders who required circumcision and other ceremonial acts that had
been fulfilled by Christ. Gal.5:18. He was not canceling the
absolutes of God's standard. He was not favoring man's law over
God's.
The law is good. It is God's standard
for holy living and the way in which we honor Him. Jesus said,
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Jn.14:15. Salvation in Christ restores our desire and abilities to
obey.
In keeping the law we are not earning
our salvation. Our Savior kept the law perfectly and, thereby,
established our righteousness. In Christ we are not under the law
for merit. We no longer are under the curse of the law. Christ
has redeemed us from the curse of the law . . . , not from its
benefits. Gal.3:13a
The Psalmist prays that God will open
his eyes so he can see wonderful things in His law. These
wonderful things have to do with God's holiness. Statute and case
law in the Bible reveal how God rules in every area of life. He is
sovereign over all things, not only religion. His law speaks to
business, contracts, liability, private ownership, warfare, family
relationships and every other possible subject.
Wonderful things in God's law have
also to do with protection, accountability and all the important
principles of life. The way of godly dominion is described for us.
God's covenant people are to understand and rejoice in His
judgments. His rule is not arbitrary, but is carried out according
to His holy precepts. We have two choices. They are to be under
humanistic law, or the law of God.
This course examines the law in clear
and practical lessons that edify the student, encourage obedience
and express a biblical love for Christ.
