Lesson: THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION AS A LAW
TEXT: Rom. 8:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: Gal. 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (NIV)
INTRODUCTION:
Webster’s New International Dictionary (3rd edition) defines ‘law’ as ‘a divine commandment or a revelation of the will of God and a rule of right living and good conduct especially when conceived as having the sanction of God’s will, of conscience or the moral nature or of natural justice.’ The old Hebrew verb, ‘yarah’ related to the noun. ‘torah’ which is the word for ‘law’ is primarily translated to mean ‘direct’, ‘teach’, and ‘instruct’. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the verb, ‘nemo’ meaning ‘deal out’ or ‘distribute’ is translated ‘law’. ‘Isa. 33:22’, designates the Almighty God as the ‘Supreme Lawgiver and Source of law’. He is the Sovereign and delegating authority (cf. Rev. 6:10; Luke 2:29) without Whose permission no authority can be exercised (cf. Rom. 13:1) and Who establishes His throne on righteousness and justice (cf. Psalm 97:1-2):
Angels, Satan and creation are subject to God’s law (cf. Heb. 1:7, 14; Job 1:12; 2:6; Jude 9). Law as additionally defined by Webster is ‘the observed regularity of nature.’ This bespeaks the natural order as also being regulated by God. The Christian tradition is also the ‘Law of Christ’ (See Gal. 6:2) as well as ‘the Law of the Spirit’ (See Rom. 8:2, 4. 7).
OBJECTIVE: To see the Christian service as a statutory service regulated by law; the Christians being the subjects under this service and Jesus, the Christ as Head of administration.
PRESENTATION:
Step I: THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE IS CIVIL
(a) It is civil because it is regulated with the ‘Law of Christ’ or the ‘New Covenant’ (constitution) inaugurated with His life (blood) (See our memory verse, Matt. 26:28 and John 13:34-35).
(b) It is civil also because its overall aim is geared towards the well-being of fellow person and does not carry carnal arms.
i. But it is also an armed administration with spiritual weapons for the security of the faithful citizenry (cf. 2Tim. 4:16-18; 11Cor. 10:3-6).
Step II: CHRISTIANS AS SUBJECTS (CITIZENS) IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
(a) With God through Christ directly responsible for the legislative and judicial functions of Christ’s service, Christians who are expected to keep those laws are the citizens in the kingdom of Christ (cf. Luke 6:46; Matt. 19:28).
(b) Christians as subjects of Christ’s kingdom are also expected to expand this service (government) through preaching and observing all that Christ teaches (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Step III: JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF GOD’S GOVERNMENT
(a) With the inauguration of a constitution and subjects to obey, there is surely a statutory institution (government) in place (cf. Matt. 6:10; Luke 17:20-21)
(b) In the American College Dictionary edited by C.L. Barnlart, 1966, a ‘law’ is defined as ‘any written or positive rule, or collection of rules prescribed under the authority of the state or nation.’
i. Similarly, under the authority of heaven, God has supervised, through His Spirit, the writing of positive and eternal laws thereby endorsing the government or kingdom of Christ in heaven, earth, under the earth and wherever living beings exist. (cf. Acts 17:30-31).
(c) Therefore, Jesus is God’s Christ to rule over all things God made – visible and invisible. (cf. Col. 1:15-20)
CONCLUSION:
Since the duty of any government is to restrain with laws the actions of people in communities, societies and states, the Church, which is also a community of believers in Christ is the kingdom or government of Christ on earth. Jesus, Christ is the head of the government because it is run through His Covenant or law or constitution inaugurated with His life blood to stand forever without any more amendment. We are part of this government only in obeying what He has taught to us through His original Apostles’ teachings as recorded in the Scriptures (cf. John 17:14, 20, 21; 1John 1:1-4; 4:6; Acts
2:42). Will you empty yourself to be filled with His eternal treasure and get qualified to be a part of the divine regime? May His grace in His message enable you. Amen!
EVALUATION:
1. Why is the Christian service a civil service?
2. What makes the Church a government?
3. How are we sure the Kingdom of Christ (Jehovah) is present with us as we speak?
4. With regards to creation, how does the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary define ‘law’?
5. What qualifies Jesus as the Chief Judge of all that God made?
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PRAYER: Thank God for His Word and ask Jehovah for ability to maintain our stance in whatever circumstance as Christ’s followers and as those so bonded.