THE KING HAS A LAW

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUC TION

 

A.   Jesus came into this world as a powerful, royal King.

 

B.    He is a King over a spiritual kingdom, also known as the church.

 

C.   In order to have order within this kingdom, there must be a law.

1.     The title of our lesson this morning is:  “The King Has A Law.”

2.     This lesson seeks to keeps us focused on our theme for the year:  “Make Christ Your King in 2013.”

 

I.              UNDER LAW

 

A.   There are some individuals who believe and teach that we are not under law today.

1.     They will turn to various passages of Scripture to attempt to prove their position (Rom. 6:4).

 

For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

2.     NOTE:  This teaching is promoted by some preachers and teachers within the churches of Christ.

 

B.    Proof that we are under law today.

1.     Romans 8:1-2

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

a.     Paul says that “the law of the Spirit of life” had set him free.

b.    NOTE:  This was the same writer who had taught that we are not under law but under grace.  Did he contradict himself?  Was he confused?

c.    Several other passages could be brought forth to prove that we are under law (Rom. 3:27; I Cor. 9:19-23, esp. v. 21; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 7:12; James 1:25; 2:8).

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

2.     The fact that we can sin is proof that we are under law. 

a.     The very definition of sin is “the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4).

 

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:  for sin is the transgression of the law.

 

b.    If there is no law, there is no sin.  If there is no sin, there is no need for the blood of Christ.  This would mean that Jesus died and shed His blood in vain.

 

C.   Answer to false doctrine

1.     We have seen that the pen of the same apostle that taught that we are not under law also taught that we are under law.

a.     Either he contradicted himself

b.    Or, he has two laws in mind.

2.     When Paul declares that we are not under law, he means that we are not under the Law of Moses.

a.     In Romans 2, he mentions “the law” for the first time (Rom. 2:12).

b.    It is very clear from the context that he had the Law of Moses in mind (Rom. 2:17-18).

 

Behold, Thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.

 

c.    NOTE:  This point needs to be kept in mind as you study the book of Galatians as well.  If you do not, there will be a major contradiction within the Word of God.

 

II.            LAW IS GOOD

 

A.   Most people have the perception that being under law is not a good thing.

1.     They see law as being binding and restrictive.

2.     They see law as being a dictator of their lives.

3.     They see law as being something that condemns and punishes.

 

B.    Law, however, is not evil.  Law is both necessary and good.

1.     Law provides order within an organization.

a.     When a group of people get together, there must be some type of law that orders and directs affairs.

b.    God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33).  He exhorts the church to let all things be done decently and in order (I Cor. 14:40).

c.    The law of Christ provides order and structure within the house of God (I Tim. 3:14-15).

 

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:  but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

2.     Law provides boundaries.

a.     One of the laws of our land states that we are to drive on the right side of the road.  This law establishes boundaries for driving.

b.    God has set boundaries for His people by His laws.  One boundary concerns the world.  The child of God has been told that he is not to love the world (I John 2:15).  He has also been exhorted not to be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2).

3.     Law provides safety.

a.     When we are driving, we often see a double yellow line in the middle of the road.  This line indicates a no passing zone.  Those who violate this rule put their lives in danger.

b.    God has put sexual expression into the marriage relationship.

1)     Hebrews 13:4

 

Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled:  but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

2)     Those who step outside of this realm put themselves in grave danger (Prov. 5:3-5).

 

For the lips of a strange woman drop as honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:  but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

 

4.     Law brings success to man’s endeavors.

a.     The United States has had great success in the realm of space explora-tion:  walked on the moon and placed a rover on Mars.

b.    When we comply with God’s laws, we will have success in the spiritual realm (Ps. 1:2-3).

 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season:  his leaf also doth not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

III.          LAW MUST BE OBEYED

 

A.   Psalm 119:1

 

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of God.

 

B.    Proverbs 28:7

 

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son…

 

C.   Romans 2:13

 

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

 

D.   James 1:25

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

IV.          LAW AND CONDEMNATION

 

A.   We have already seen that God has revealed unto man two laws:  the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ (John 1:17).

 

B.    When man violates the law of God, he sins.  Ultimately, sin brings condemnation and punishment.

1.     If the Law of Moses continued, this would have been the end of all men.  Why?  The Law of Moses could not bring forgiveness (Heb. 10:3-4).

 

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

 

2.     Under the Law of Christ forgiveness is attainable.

a.     Hebrews 10:14-18

 

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:  for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

 

b.    It is this forgiveness of sin that enables Paul to say that today we are under grace.

c.    NOTE:  No condemnation exists only as long as we follow the dictates of this new law (Rom. 8:1).

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Jesus Christ, the King of kings, has a law that governs His kingdom.

 

B.    This law is the New Testament, the gospel, the truth.

 

C.   It is a covenant of grace because within it man can obtain forgiveness of his trans-gressions.

 

D.   Those, however, who refuse to obey the Law of Christ will be judged by it (John 12:48), and will be punished with everlasting destruction (II Thess. 1:7-9).

 

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  who shall be punished with everlast-ing destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.