Law Of His God

Daniel 6:4-11 – Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.


Acts 24:14-15 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Psalm 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Application:

· I share the same hope as the Jews—resurrection and judgment
· Worship to God includes humility before my majestic God
· Do I have a mental attitude of prayerfulness? Do I have continual personal fellowship with God? Am I conscious of being in His presence throughout each day?
· Am I marked by thanksgiving?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Crucified To Me, And I To The World

Galatians 6:10-14 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Titus 2:12-14 - It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Philippians 3:3-6 - For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

James 4:4 - You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Conclusions:

• Salvation involves the double work of redeeming us from guilt and judgment and of producing moral purity and helpful service to others
• Large letters may have been for emphasis or, as some have suggested, because Paul had poor eyesight
• By advocating circumcision the Judaizers were less apt to experience opposition from the Jewish opponents of Christianity
• Judaizers were thinking only of themselves
• The true, inner meaning of circumcision is realized only in believers who worship God with genuine spiritual worship and who glory in Christ as their Savior rather than trusting in their own human effort
• Everyone is a boaster, either in Christ or in himself
• The world is all that is against God
• Adulterous people are those who are spiritually unfaithful, who love the world rather than God

Application:

• Are you eager to do what is good? (morally pure; helpful service to others?)
• Do you worship God with genuine spiritual worship? Do you glory in Christ as your Savior?
• Are you choosing to be a friend to the world?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Law Of Christ

Galatians 6:2-5 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

1 Corinthians 9:21 - To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

James 2:8 - If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

1 Corinthians 11:28 - A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

Conclusions:

• The emphasis of carry each other's burdens is on moral burdens or weaknesses
• Those not having the law are those who have not been raised under the Old Testament law (Gentiles)
• Paul accommodated himself to Gentile culture when it did not violate his allegiance to Christ, though he still reckoned that he was under God's law and Christ's law (teachings)
• The law of love is called royal because it is the supreme law that is the source of all other laws governing human relationships
• The royal law is the summation of all such laws
• Each one should test his own actions emphasizes personal responsibility
• A person should test the attitude of his own heart and actions and his awareness of the significance of the Supper, thus making the Supper, under God, a spiritual means of grace

Application:

• Are you willing to accommodate yourself to the culture when it does not violate your allegiance to Christ?
• Do you keep the royal law found in Scripture?
• Do you examine yourself before you partake of the Lord's Supper?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Entire Law Is Summed Up

Galatians 5:13-15 - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Leviticus 19:18 - " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Mark 12:31 - The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Conclusions:

• Doing to others what you would have them do to you expresses the spirit and intention of the Law and the Prophets
• Leviticus 19:18 is quoted by Christ, Paul and James
• The stricter Pharisees added to Leviticus 19:18 what they thought it implied: Hate your enemy
• Jesus reaction, love your enemies, was in line with true Old Testament teaching and was more in agreement with the middle-of-the-road Pharisees
• Rabbi Nahmanides caught their sentiments: One should place no limitations upon the love for the neighbor, but instead a person should love to do an abundance of good for his fellow being as he does for himself
• Neighbor does not merely mean one who lives nearby, but anyone with whom one comes in contact
• Jesus joined the commandment from Leviticus 19:18 to show that love for neighbor is a natural and logical outgrowth of love for God
• Seeking to attain status with God and man by mere observance of law breeds a self-righteous, critical spirit
• Liberty is not license but freedom to serve God and each other in love

Application:

• Do you love your neighbor as yourself?
• Do you love to do an abundance of good for your fellow being?
• Do you seek to attain status with God and man by mere observance of the law?
• Do you serve others in love?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Was Added

Galatians 3:17-19 - What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.

Exodus 20:18-19 - When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."

Genesis 17:7 - I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Jeremiah 31:31,33-34 - "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Conclusions:

• The period in Egypt is designated in round numbers as 400 years
• From the time of Abraham, the promise covenanted to him had stood at the center of God's relationship with His people
• After the exodus the law contained in the Sinaitic covenant became an additional element in that relationship--what Jeremiah by implication called the old covenant, when he brought God's promise of a new covenant
• The Seed is Christ
• Israel (in Exodus 20:19) requests a mediator to stand between them and God, a role fulfilled by Moses and subsequently by priests, prophets and kings--and ultimately by Jesus Christ

Application:

• Do you seek a mediator between you and God?
• Is God your God?
• Are you in a covenant relationship with your heavenly Father?
• Has God forgotten your sins?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Everything

Galatians 3:10 - All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

Galatians 2:15-16 - "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Deuteronomy 27:26 - "Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Jeremiah 11:3-4 - Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant--the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.' I said, 'Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Conclusions:

• Rely on observing the law is a reference to legalists--those who refuse God's offer of grace and insist on pursuing righteousness through works
• Because no one under the law ever perfectly kept the law, they are under a curse
• God's blessing has never been earned, but has always been freely given
• Paul is not depreciating the law itself, for he clearly maintained that God's law is holy, righteous and good
• Paul is arguing against an illegitimate use of the Old Testament law that made the observance of that law the grounds of acceptance with God
• Justified by faith is the essence of the gospel message
• Faith is the means by which justification is received, not its basis
• Mankind is under a curse because no one follows the law of God fully
• It is not enough to assert allegiance to the law, one must live according to its stipulations
• Blessings resulted from obedience to the covenant; curses resulted from disobedience
• The law is the expression of the character and will of God; therefore to violate one part of the law is to violate God's will and thus His whole law

Application:

• Do you refuse God's offer of grace and insist on pursuing righteousness through works?
• Are you using the observance of the law as grounds for God accepting you?
• Do you live according to the stipulations of the law?
• Are you obedient or disobedient to God's covenant?
• Are you violating God's will?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Spirit

Galatians 3:1-2,10 - You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?... All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

John 20:22 - And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 2:16 - "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Conclusions:

• The Galatians were not mentally deficient but simply failed to use their powers of perception
• Legalistic Judaizers had bewitched the Galatians
• Portrayed as crucified means to publicly portray or placard as crucified like the bronze snake that Moses displayed on a pole
• From Galatians 3:2 on Paul refers to the Holy Spirit 16 times
• Receive the Holy Spirit anticipates what happens 50 days later on the day of Pentecost
• The disciples needed God’s help to carry out the commission they had just been given
• Rely on observing the law is a reference to legalists—those who refuse God’s offer of grace and insist on pursuing righteousness through works
• No one under the law ever perfectly kept the law because they are under a curse
• God’s blessing has never been earned, but has always been freely given
• Galatians 2:16 is a key verse
• Three times Galatians 2:16 tells us that no one is justified by observing the law, and three times it underscores the indispensable requirement of placing one’s faith in Christ
• Paul is not depreciating the law itself, for he clearly maintained that God’s law is holy, righteous and good
• Paul is arguing against an illegitimate use of the Old Testament law that made the observance of that law the grounds of acceptance with God
• Justified by faith is the essence of the gospel message
• Faith is the means by which justification is received, not its basis

Application:

• Has God helped you to carry out the commission you have been given?
• Are you relying on observing the law?
• Have you put your faith in Christ Jesus?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Be Found In Him

Philippians 3:3-6,8-9 - For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless…What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 2:1-2 - If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Galatians 2:15-16 - "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Conclusions:

• Being found in Him is a union with Christ—not simply an experience in the past, but a present, continuing relationship
• Righteousness by faith is a principle benefit of union with Christ
• Legalistic righteousness is righteousness produced by using the law as an attempt to merit God’s approval and blessing—a use of the law strongly opposed by Paul as contrary to the gospel itself
• Paul was faultless in terms of legalistic standards of scrupulous external conformity to the law
• In Paul’s teaching, this personal union is the basic reality of salvation
• To be in Christ is to be saved
• It is to be in intimate personal relationship with Christ the Savior
• From this relationship flow all the particular benefits and fruits of salvation, like encouragement
• Comfort from His love is the comforting knowledge and assurance that come from God’s love in Christ, demonstrated especially in Christ’s death for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life
• Fellowship with the Spirit is the fellowship among believers, produced by the Spirit, who indwells each of them
• Christians are to have intense care and deep sympathy for each other
• All these benefits—encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion—are viewed by Paul as present realities for the Philippians
• Paul is not depreciating the law itself, for he clearly maintained that God’s law is holy, righteous and good
• Paul is arguing against an illegitimate use of the Old Testament law that made the observance of that law the grounds of acceptance with God
• Justified by faith is the essence of the gospel message

Application:

• Do you have a present, continuing relationship with Christ?
• Do you use the law to merit God's approval and blessing?
• Do you have intense care and deep sympathy for others?
• Are you placing your faith in Christ rather than trying to be justified by observing the law?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Speaks Against His Brother...Speaks Against The Law

James 4:9-14 - Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

James 2:8 - If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

James 5:9 - Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Isaiah 2:22 - Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Conclusions:

• The law of love is called royal because it is the supreme law that is the source of all other laws governing human relationships
• The royal law is the summation of all laws
• James calls for patience toward believers as well as unbelievers
• “The Judge is standing at the door!” is a reference to Christ’s second coming and the judgment associated with it
• The New Testament insistence on imminence arises from the teaching that the last days began with the incarnation
• We have been living in the last days ever since the incarnation
• The next great event in redemptive history is Christ’s second coming
• The New Testament does not say when Christ’s second coming will take place, but its certainty is never questioned and believers are consistently admonished to watch for it
• It was in this light that James expected the imminent return of Christ
• “Stop trusting in man” means cease from man or give up on man
• “Stop trusting in man” describes the rejection of the Messiah
• Ironically, the one Man who should have been trusted and esteemed was rejected, given up on by men
• The Messiah alone was (and is) worthy of the esteem wrongly given to frail leaders

Application:

• Do you keep the royal law?
• Are you patient toward others and do you watch for Christ's second coming?
• Do you trust in man?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Royal Law

James 2:6-8 - But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

Leviticus 19:18 - " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Conclusions:

• The law of love is called royal because it is the supreme law that is the source of all other laws governing human relationships
• The royal law is the summation of all laws
• Love your neighbor as yourself is quoted by Christ, Paul and James
• The stricter Pharisees added to “love your neighbor as yourself” what they thought it implied: Hate your enemy
• Jesus reaction to hate your enemy was love your enemies. Jesus reaction was in line with the Old Testament teaching and was more in agreement with the middle-of-the-road Pharisees
• Rabbi Nahmanides caught the sentiments of the middle-of-the-road Pharisees: One should place no limitations upon the love for the neighbor, but instead a person should love to do an abundance of good for his fellow being as he does for himself
• Neighbor does not merely mean one who lives nearby, but anyone with whom one comes in contact
• To love is the one debt that is never paid off
• No matter how much one has loved, he is under obligation to keep on loving
• Loving one another includes not only fellow Christians but all people, as loving his fellow man makes clear
• The law is the Mosaic law, which lays down both moral and social responsibilities

Application:

• Are you loving your neighbor as yourself?
• Do you seek revenge or bear grudges against people?
• Do you love all people?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible