We have discussed the subject, The Christian and the Law as it pertains
to, and requires of the Christian, in this present evil world. It has been
shown that it is God who has placed His law before us, even in our hearts,
so as to render us without excuse before Him. And because He is God, He
has perfect right to hold us accountable to Him and responsible to obey
Him.
In the face of the clear declarations of the Scriptures, there are still
those who deny that the Christian is under the law of God, and we are sure
that all the writings of men will never end their rebellion against God.
Only He can bring conviction upon men, and only He can change their minds
concerning this subject. Nevertheless, we feel compelled to speak out against
the awful spirit and practice of lawlessness, commonly know as antinomianism,
that has pervaded the ranks of professing christendom. And so, we will
continue to speak out against this ungodly heresy, and the heretics who
propagate such poisonous doctrine among God's people.
J.B. Moody, renowned Baptist of the last century, in his 1889 Nashville
debate with one of the leading Campbellites of that time, J.A. Harding
of Winchester, KY, made these observations. He said, "Sin is always the
same, for it is transgression of the law of God, so clearly revealed by
nature, conscience, and Scripture, that there is no excuse. Since all have
sinned, and all the world is guilty before God, then condemnation is passed
upon all. This condemnation is as universal as the depravity, 'for all
have sinned'. Then, as to depravity and condemnation, let it be acknowledged
that there is no difference in any age or nation. Then, if all are depraved
and condemned, the necessity of regeneration and justification is the same
for all."
I call your attention to the opening sentence of this quotation, and particularly
to the phrase, "Sin is always the same, for it is transgression of the
law of God, ..." Take note: Sin is the transgression of the law of God.
And this is in no way confined and shut up to the law of God that was written
by the finger of God on the tables of stone; rather, it also includes that
which is evidenced in nature; written on the heart and conscience of man;
and that which also is manifestly declared in the Scriptures. The Scriptures
present the stipulations of the law of God and they also present the threatenings
of God in regard to man when he violates the stipulations of this holy,
and righteous, and honorable law of God.
It seems to be so clear that the law of God has not been, nor is ever subject
to being repealed. It seems to be so clear that the primary reason that
men stumble at this great truth can be traced to depravity, and that the
darkened minds of understanding are still extant, and the stubborn will
of man continues to be a citadel of opposition to God. May all God's people
pray for enlightenment and for understanding so that this grand doctrine
of the law of God which He graciously enacted regulate the lives of His
people so that they become joyous and fruitful. Remember that the primary
reason for such a law at all is for the glory and honor that is due His
Name. The law of God is for the glory of God!
We anticipate concluding our remarks on this stupendous subject with this
installment. And so, we will proceed with this intent, and center our thoughts
and reflections on the second of the definitions that we gave in earlier
issues. Specifically then, we will begin now to deal with: "The rule by
which a citizen is to conduct his / her life in this present world."
We begin by stating Article 31 on Civil Government as adopted by the Sovereign
Grace Baptist Church of Seguin, Texas. We believe that many Baptist Churches
hold similar views on this subject as set forth in their Articles of Faith.
"We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interests
and good order of human society; the magistrates are to be prayed for,
conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in those things opposed to
the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience
and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth (Romans 13:1-7;
II
Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5;
Matthew
22:21; Acts 5:20; Acts 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17,
18).
Now the reason for beginning this study at this point should be very obvious.
Since we live in the human realm, we need to look at our subject from this
viewpoint so as to find proper direction for our lives in this present
world.
To be sure, Christians are but sojourners in this strange and weary land
while our true citizenship is in heaven. But since we are here, at God's
bidding, and on His mission, we are to be directed by Him as to how He
would have His ambassadors conduct their lives while in His service. And
because He is our Sovereign, we should live and conduct ourselves as would
bring the greatest honor and glory to His Name. We represent Him, and must
seek to please Him in all things.
God, Who is the Sovereign of the universe, has chosen to have His interests
served among men, by men. And for the good order of human society, He has
ordained civil governments to be used as His instruments in working His
will among His subjects, even us.
Huge multitudes of humankind are in a dead state, spiritually, while they
live, and move, and have being, physically. And only the most unlearned
or most obstinate men would for a moment want to try to live in the midst
of others of like kind were none under any rule, any order, any law at
all. What utter anarchy would prevail, and what grave dangers would confront
us all if there was only a system that allowed for the biggest, and strongest,
and meanest to have unlimited influence, control, or sway over the rest
of mankind.
I challenge us all to think and to consider the utter foolishness of men
living, every man a law unto himself. The staunchest of you antinomians
would not want to live that way, and if I told you that you must live that
way you would most likely, at once remind me that you would not submit
to my instruction. And if I asked you why, you would say, "man is not supposed
to live that way, but is to be a good, and decent, and law- abiding, and
God fearing citizen". You would want a system of good laws to govern you
and to regulate those around you as well. But, you, don't object to imagining
that God has set you free to do your own thing, and disregard His good
laws. He hasn't.
May I direct your attention to Matthew 17, verses 24-27?
Here, you will notice that the Jews, as usual, were seeking to find cause
for bringing accusation against the Lord Jesus Christ. Not being convicted
of their sin and guilt, but being very religious, they imagined that this
Jesus of Nazareth was an impostor and a pretender. And they desperately
sought to find something by which they might bring Him before their ecclesiastical
courts, and then present Him, convicted by themselves, before the civil
courts and seek His execution so as to remove Him and His doctrine from
their presence.
Note these Scriptures: "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that
received tribute money came to Peter and said, Doth not your master pay
tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented
him, saying, what thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith
unto Him, of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, then are the children free.
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast
an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast
opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give
unto them for me and thee."
Here is a lesson taught by our dear Lord Himself. He clearly teaches His
people to be obedient to the laws of the land, and to be honorable in all
things, even to the paying of taxes, or tribute money. And He says this
is to be done,"... lest we should offend them, ... " Take note of
that, lest WE should offend THEM! 0 Christian, read that very carefully.
Jesus said we are to conduct ourselves in such a way as to be no offense
to those who collect tribute money; that is, the civil government under
whose ruler ship we live.
Even though we're citizens of the heavenly kingdom, and only strangers
here below, it is as strangers that we are to pay tribute money. We are
but temporarily sojourning down here, but we are to be law-abiding while
we are here, for so Jesus taught.
Take note also that Peter, the disciple, was instructed by the Master Himself
in this matter, and he was directed as to his course of action. Peter was
told, "the children are free, Notwithstanding ..." that is, in spite
of the reality that the Son has made you free, and you are free indeed,
you are to act in accordance with His word that comes, teaching you to
live so as to be no offense to those outside.
And further, Peter was told how to acquire the necessary substance for
the tribute, or tax that was to be paid. Our Lord, being the Owner of all
the coins, as well as the fish that bear them in their mouths has said,
"Go, cast in a hook, take up the fish, use the coin for you and for me."
Therefore, we can conclude that the Sovereign would have the subjects to
go forth in the faith given, and at His word, to act upon the promises
and directions that are the rule of conduct that the subjects are to be
regulated and governed by. We, the subjects are to conduct our lives, even
in the ordinary business affairs of life in such a way as to be no offense
to those around us, who may be our employers in this life, or our customers,
clients, or co-workers. We are to faithfully and with marked fidelity,
live each day of our lives down here in humility, and meekness, and in
patience, doing our duty cheerfully and honorably as becometh saints. And
the assurance is, "He shall supply all our needs according to His riches
in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).
Would you have the required "tribute money" to render unto those who collect
it? Then, you should live as Christ has instructed and exampled. Would
you receive the blessings of being allowed to live free from censure and
indictment by the civil authorities? Then, you should live as Christ has
instructed and exampled. Would you hear the Master say, some time soon,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant"? Then, you should live
as Christ has instructed and exampled.
And while you are doing these things, and acting as a true and faithful
ambassador in a foreign land, you must also remember that Christ has said,
"Lay up treasures in heaven ..." Don't forget these spiritual treasures,
for they are those which shall never be corrupted, nor shall they diminish.
I ask you also to consider the teaching of the Lord, as recorded in Matthew
22:15-22: "Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might
entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto Him their disciples with
the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest
the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest
not the person of men. Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful
to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness
and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And
they brought unto him a penny. And He said unto them, whose is this image
and superscription? They say unto Him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them,
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God
the things that are God's. When they heard these words, they marvelled,
and left Him, and went their way."
The Pharisees and the Herodians were determined to tangle this one in His
words, so as to have to accuse Him before the ecclesiastical as well as
the civil courts of the land. And they made great effort to do so as this
episode shows, but to no avail. Jesus did not disregard the fact that He
came not to destroy, or oppose the law, but to fulfill it in all its many
imports, to every jot and tittle.
The Apostle Peter also taught wonderfully concerning the manner of life
that God's people were to live in relation to the civil government that
God has ordained. If you will carefully read, examine, and consider the
explicit teaching that he put forth in his first epistle, particularly
in chapter two, you will see what he taught.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance
of men for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto
governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers,
and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that
with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As
free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the
servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour
the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only
to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy,
if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall
take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take
it patiently, this is acceptable with God." (I Peter 2:9-20).
Peter acknowledges that we are strangers and pilgrims here who hold eternal
citizenship in the heavenly kingdom. He declares that we are a special
people, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people, and
that as such all the blessings that God has for His people are surely ours.
But while we are here, we are to submit ourselves to every ordinance of
men for the Lord's sake.
Why would this be the teaching of God, through Peter, for men at the time
of the writing, and not be applicable to God's people today, some nineteen
hundred years later? Has God changed?
Have His instructions for us which are the output of His immutable counsel
been altered? Who, but a lawless rebel would say so?
And you will note in verse 12, we are to have our manner of life among
men such that they, by our good works which they shall behold, glorify
God. We are to submit ourselves to the ordinances of men, because it is
the Lord who has appointed kings and governors to govern us and regulate
our lives so as to maintain good order in the affairs of men.
Good governors are given so that God's people will be blessed and well
cared for when they do well and are in obedience to God in observing and
doing whatsoever He has commanded of us. Likewise, God sends evil governors
to chastise His people when they fail to obey His voice, walk in His precepts,
obey His statutes and do them.
If you will carefully and diligently read and study God's word, you will
find that this is the principle that God has presented from the time that
He began to deal with men, and specifically, when He began to allow human
governments to be put in place. He has always maintained this principle,
and human history will verify that kings and governors have been empowered
to carry out the will of God, and the times of declension on the part of
God's people have been followed by periods when wicked, evil, and cruel
rulers have been in place. And during those times when God's people have
been obedient, faithful, and submissive to the teaching of God's word,
He has blessed them with good rulers who have led in such ways as to produce
seasons of peace, prosperity, joy, and rest among them.
Again, I ask you to look carefully at the teaching of God's word here.
In verse 16, Peter says that we are to live "as free" ... yet
... as servants (bondmen) of God". How can this be? Well,
simply stated, Christ has made us free from Satan, sin, and self, SO THAT,
we are now free to be His bondslaves to serve Him. We were not free to
serve Him while we were, in times past bondslaves to Satan and sin. But,
the freedom that we now have is that which our dear Lord has given us,
having defeated the strongman, and having set the captives free.
Note also, that being free, we are not to use our liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but we are to use that liberty as servants of God. And beloved,
this clear declaration is the death knell to antinomianism. Liberty is
not license to sin. Liberty is freedom and enablement to serve God!
In verse 17, you will note there are four brief sentences, each
of which is a command of God. And each carries the same authority of issuance
and responsibility assignment. God says, "Honour all men." God says,
"Love the brotherhood." God says, "Fear God". God says, "Honour
the king". And then He says in Verse 18, "Servants, be subject
to your masters with all fear." And then He says in verse 19,
"For this is thankworthy ..."
In Romans, Chapter 6 we read in verse 20, "For
when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness".
Clearly, this teaches us that while we were sinners, we were the servants
of sin and did not do right things, for righteousness is right doing. And
in verse 22, Paul continues, "But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life".
And in verses 1 and 2 of this same chapter, Paul asks some
pertinent questions of those who stand justified by faith (5:1),
and he also provides the proper and God honoring answer to these questions.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
GOD FORBID. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
It becomes obvious to those who will hear, that man is to render unto Caesar
the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's. If
anyone will not see this truth, then he must make great effort not to see.
Either he is lost, and thus unable to see, or, he is obstinate and refuses
to see. But In either case, the truth remains the same.
As we bring this discussion to a conclusion, it is clear that we have not
exhausted the vast storehouse of Scriptures that teach on this matter.
Neither have we been perfect in our study. But as God has led us, and we
have studied so as to avail ourselves of the revealed word, we have sought
to give a fair and proper explanation of what He has said to us on this
subject.
We conclude our remarks by reminding ourselves, and you who read these
words, that God teaches His people to provide for all things honestly (II
Corinthians 8:21), and to be alms givers so as to be used of God in
a helpful way (II Corinthians 8:1-7), and to be of good report,
even unto those who are outside the body.
But over and above all these things that God teaches us as to our conduct
and manner of life among men, the grand mark that is the apex of it all
is, God has commanded that we hear and obey Him, for in doing so, we show
forth His grace and mercy to us and we manifest His glory in our lives.
The ultimate and final of it all is that we are to bring honor, and glory,
and praise unto Him and to magnify His name (character) in all that we
do. As His creatures, our whole purpose in being is to bring glory to Him!
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God." (ICorinthians 10:31).
