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Romans, Part 11

A Perfect Law for an Imperfect People

"God does not expect us to be perfect...just penitent." -rfo

"Penitence is not an embarrassed feeling of abject worthlessness. It is the intelligent realization of my shortcomings, and an earnest and sincere desire to be better." -rfo

I have prefaced this paper with the above statements, for I want to begin an examination of "law", as Paul discusses the subject in the book of Romans. It is important to understand this concept because of two very common misconceptions concerning "law", in the Christian world. 

There are those who have a very cavalier view of God's law, and shrug it off with the statement, "Oh well, nobody's perfect", proceeding to ignore what God specifically tells us is His will. Others view Christianity as totally defined by law, and consider their interpretation of the law as the ultimate requirement for acceptance. Both misunderstand the function of law in our relationship with the Father.

Chapter 2 verse 6 of Romans says, "God will give to each man according to what he has done". Does this mean that ours is a religion of obedience to commands, as an army of regimented soldiers? The next verse explains the phrase, "what he has done". In verse 7 Paul says, "...those who by persistence in doing good, etc...". He contrasts them with "...those who are self-seeking and reject the truth...". "What he has done", does not refer to a soldier obeying orders, but a son striving to be what his Father wants him to be. It is not the things that one does, but the life that is dedicated to "doing good", that God wants. 

As it was difficult for Paul to get the Jews away from the articles of the law, so it is difficult today to get Christians away from the rituals of the church, the legalities of the organization, and the forms and symbols which are meaningless in changing lives, or in developing any spiritual relationship with the Father. Only when these things form a framework for doing good are they of any value.

The penitent one should not be penitent because he has broken a rule. As K. C. Moser said, "The law only justifies the innocent", and there are none of those. The penitent one should be penitent because he has broken the heart of the
Father, by not striving to make his life one of seeking goodness, directed by the righteousness of God.

In the book of James, he refers to "the perfect law of liberty". Earlier he called this "the Royal Law", and it was, "Love your neighbor as yourself". A law of rules and regulations is for traffic cops and drill sergeants. It does nothing for one's relationship with the lawgiver. Imperfect people will always be in violation of some parts of such a law. However, the law which says love God by loving His creatures...seek goodness and righteousness in your life...let God's way be the guiding rule of your behavior...is a law which gives hope to the weak and mistake-making human, and peace to the penitent heart. It is not a law of rules. It is a law of life.

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