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There are a number of things we ought to understand in seeking to answer these questions. Heart convictions are strong. What resides in our hearts flows out via actions and words. Our Christian culture; lifestyle, dress, language, appearance, educational choices, entertainment source, and all other areas of life; is informed by these inner convictions. It is important to examine what is convicting us. Are we to conform to a standard? Can we objectively judge what we believe to be “ok” actions? Should we examine what informs our daily cultural decisions? If so, what standard ought we use? I seem to raise many questions. Perhaps they will help in your Christian life. The questions are tough for 21^st century people. As a generalisation, many of us have been raised in age segregated school environments. Being detached from older and wiser people has its detriments. The segregation was design intentional (see To You and Your Children; articles 1, 2, 3, 4). Age segregating students builds generational gaps over the long term. It fosters overtly and unhealthy influential, imidiate, peer ties. Peer demands and pressures have consequences. It has become easy to “rebel” against the culture of our parents. Ironically this “rebellion” is unto peer conformity. In seeking to be different or distanced from an older generation children and young people conform to their group of peers. Group think is powerful stuff. That’s why it has been intentionally used to separate children from their parents. Does group think overtly inform your decisions? Remember, externals reflect internalised convictions. Are you conforming to the group or to the Scriptures?

Christianity cannot be a-moral or ethically neutral. All world and life views are anchored in a set of basic ethical assumptions. These presuppositions form the basis of any and every philosophy. Each way of life either brings glory to God or distain upon His name. God is unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). In the very nature of the case His character can thus never change. What is good/evil in His sight yesterday must be good/evil today and tomorrow. Think about that for a moment. If God actually changes His mind on ethics He is surely unjust and partial. How can a just God condemn one man and not another for the same sin. If this were the case our lives would be constant fear and terror. An ever changing god does not provide salvation from objective sin. What we do understand from Malachi 3:6is that God is reliable. His character is unchageable. “Everything else in creation changes, but not God. His permanence is the very standard of permanence.”^[2] Man was created and then placed under law. Our first parents were not to eat of one of the trees ( Genesis 2:17). Biblical ethical standards are objective, universal and unchanging. Why? “The law of God is a testimony to His unchanging character”.^[3] Jesus tell us; “[h]eaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” ( Matthew 24:35). Again in Matthew 5:17-19 the Lord states; “[t]hink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” According to Christ the Law of God is binding. This makes sense. Every kingdom is governed by statutes or a code of moral standards. The Church cannot escape this. Tyranny arises where man’s autonomous law rules. Freedom unto godliness is only found in the Law of God. Law brings tyranny or freedom. This freedom, in Christ, does not afford us license to sin.

Due to the nature and sensitiveness of this issues it is pertinent to reassirt some basic theology. The Law of God can never take us into good standing with God. We are not saved by the Law. “[A]part from…new birth, regeneration, there cannot be…seeing or entering into the kingdom of God”^[4] ( John 3:3-5). Man was never to use Law for salvation ( Hebrews 10:1). Salvation has always been by grace through faith. Moses received a copy of the heavenly sanctuary ( Hebrews 8:5). He received that which foreshadowed the Christ. Moses received a copy of the very character of God. As we have seen, this character is unchanging. Thus the Law is binding from generation to generation. Obviously we understand the Sacrificial Law to be fulfilled in the atoning death, resurrection and ascention of Christ ( Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26). We are not looking for a rebuilding of the temple in Palestine. There is no use or need to reinstitute the old order of animal sacrifice. Christ has died once for sin ( Romans 6:10, 1 Peter 3:18). No further blood sacrifice is required. To support any effort for a return to these is to fly in the face of the plain teaching of the Bible (see End Times Madness; articles 1, 2, 3, 4).

The binding nature and validity of the Law today has been established. So what you ask? If the Law reflects the very character of God we ought to take notice. As image bearers, we are to reflect His character. This has some ramifications. We ought to live by the standards written upon our hearts ( Hebrews 8:10-12). The Law of God is binding in the Christian Church. Christian culture should be informed by these objective standards. Ethics and morality are objectively grounded in the character of God. We do not have the freedom unto autonomous thought nor licenteousness. The Christian has been freed from slavery to sin unto serving God. No man can serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. To love God we must hate evil ( Proverbs 8:13). As the Law of God is the only source that reveals sin ( Romans 7:7-25, 1 John 3:4), it alone is our ethical yardstick. Sin begins in the heart and then manifests through our lives. Our duty is to live lives that reflect the charcater of God. His Law must be applied to every sphere of individual, family, church and societal life. Much work is needed here. It is time for us to prayerfully consider the implications. We either live lives consitent with the charcater of God or we perpetually dwell in sin. We ought to be seeking to understand how God’s Word applies to all of life in the twenty first century. Our Christian culture must be informed by God’s Word. It must be shaped by that which the Scriptures determine to not be evil and sinful. Ethical Russian roullette is simply not a Christian option.

Through these articles I am seeking to commence the conversation here in Hobart, Tasmania. We need to carry on the discussion. How do the Scriptures shape our lives? What does Biblical culture look like? How can we as the body of Christ seek to apply His Law to structure our lives? Let me close with Psalm 19:7-11. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” May God give us the grace and wisdom to consider how we ought to then live.

More reading and resources

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I have referenced the late Dr Greg L Bahnsen's book By This Standard ~ The Authority of God's Law Today. In this book you can learn about law and grace. Dr Bahnsen powerfully shows how God's Laws are still relevant in modern culture. This book is a wonderful introduction to God's Law. It is not written at an overly technical level. So lay person and preacher alike will enjoy this refreshing look at how God's forgiveness does not give us a license to sin. Jesus and the law of God are not mutually exclusive in God's church. The grace of Christ does not abolish the usefulness and application of the law. Christian grace has a foundation. It is found in the character of God, which is reflected in His Law. There is antithesis in law and grace. They are mutually inclusive. Dr Bahnsen powerfully shows how God was truly gracious in giving His creature His Law.

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Alternatively you can purchase (AUD25) By This Standard ~ The Authority of God's Law Today from our the ASH eShop at this LINK .

Published in : Worldviews, Ethics

Keywords : Image bearer, Worldviews, Ethics, Ethical roulette, god's law, law and grace, grace and law, god law, god's bible, you grace, bible grace, grace Christ, bible grace, faith grace, bible law, gospel grace, grace law, christian grace

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