We now turn our study towards human government. Before we can begin to study what the Bible says about human government, we must first have a right understanding of law.
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.Genesis 2:16-17
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?James 4:12
Because God is the creator of all things, He alone determines what is good and evil. He is the One and Only Lawgiver. He alone determines what is right and what is wrong. All true law has its origin in God Himself. Because God is the One Lawgiver, we are forbidden from creating our own arbitrary standards of right and wrong with which to judge one another. Humans are not given the authority to judge things to be right or wrong.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!Isaiah 5:20-21
We are not given the authority to determine what is good and what is evil. God alone retains that right, and He stands opposed to those who would declare something to be good that He has declared to be evil and vice versa. Men assume the authority to define what is right and wrong because they are wise in their own eyes. When men begin to create or nullify law they are declaring that they have greater wisdom than God.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 5:17-19
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus is crystal clear. The Law of God is binding upon all men everywhere, and we are not to change, add to, or nullify even the least of His commands. We are to teach the nations to obey His commandments.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.Psalm 19:7-11
God’s law is perfect. There is no problem that mankind has encountered that God has not already addressed in His law. If the law of God is silent, we should be silent as well.
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