What laws should civil rulers govern by? Since every law of God is “holy . . . just and good” (Rom. 7:12), this must be their standard. And how should they apply them? Scripture gives us three divisions of the law: (1) ceremonial laws, which were fulfilled in Christ; (2) judicial laws, which were tied to Israel’s civil life and expired with the Old Covenant; and (3) the moral laws, summarized in the Ten Commandments, which abide forever. Civil magistrates are bound to uphold God’s moral laws in every decision they make. And even though the judicial laws of Israel expired in their original form, these laws still carry general equity—moral principles that apply across all ages and nations, which they should administer with careful wisdom. 

 

Paul tells Timothy, the law is good if one uses it lawfully. 1 Timothy 1 8. I'd like to talk about the general equity of the law and the civil magistrate. And the question is, who should punish? What should be punished?

And by what standard should the punishment be delivered? When I was in elementary school, I misbehaved and I was sent to the principal's office. He gave me two choices He could spank me with that big paddle in his office or turn me over to my dad Now I knew my dad would spank me, but I chose my dad because I knew him and I trusted him. I would take my dad's punishment over anybody else's and I will take God's law every time because as Moses says, his work is perfect For all his ways are justice, righteous and upright is he." In this whole matter of jurisdictions and law, God has established three jurisdictions to rule the world for His glory. First the family, then the church, and then the state.

And each has distinct boundaries. A person or a law is either a servant of Christ or an enemy of Christ. There is no middle ground. The Bible says the throne of iniquity will not have fellowship with God. The kings are commanded to kiss the Son or else they perish.

There are three divisions of the law. The ceremonial law first of all were fulfilled in Christ. The judicial laws were tied to the laws of Israel's civil life, and they expired with their covenant. But the moral law, the Ten Commandments, is abiding forever. And even though the judicial laws of Israel expired in their original form, they still carry general equity or moral principles that apply across all ages and all nations.

Here's the bottom line. The laws of God are the best laws. We should never be ashamed of any law of God. We must never speak evil of any of His laws. They are laws of grace, they are laws of truth, they convict of sin, they point us to Christ.

So wherever we are in the family, in the church, and yes even in the state, We ought to say with David, oh how I love thy law, it's my meditation all the day. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Scripture Applied is a production of Church and Family Life. Visit churchandfamilylife.com for more resources.