The Virtues of God’s Commandments 
by Lani W. Finley

Typically, most Christians have very little knowledge regarding the laws of God.  Mainly, because modern church leaders have mistakenly taught their congregations that the laws were abolished by the crucifixion of Jesus.  As a result, most Believers see little need to explore the commandments, which they believe were eliminated through the cross.  And those who do believe in God’s commandments sometime limit the law to just defining sin and pronouncing the punishment for its violation. 

It is true that God’s laws do define sin and invokes the death penalty on those who violate its principles of love.  These truths are revealed in several Books of the Bible:  

                The Biblical Definition of Sin:

§         What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." (Rom 7:7-9 NIV).

§         Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (I Jn 3:4).

The Penalty of Sin:

§         The soul that sinneth, it shall die... (Ezek 18:20).

However, there is a much greater reason and purpose for God’s laws; other than simply defining sin and pronouncing a guilty verdict upon all humanity.  The commandments were given to mankind as a marvelous gift from God.  King David, a man “after God’s own heart,” understood the greater purpose of the law, and the joy and blessings that they bring to all who embrace them.  In the Psalms, David praises God’s laws and confesses his great affection for them. 

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.  102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me (Ps 119:97-102 NIV).

These verses begin to help us understand the great magnitude and spiritual significance of God’s wondrous ways.   His commandments were not given to mankind in order to punish him.  They were revealed in order to help humanity avoid the many pitfalls and curses, which certain actions will bring upon those, who ignore the way of love and live according to the lustful desires of the flesh.   

The terrible consequences of living a life, which has no moral codes, are outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, and are also known as the curse of the law.  These curses bring trauma into a person's life and are responsible for all of mankind's pain and suffering.  It is not the law that brings evil upon mankind, but the curse that is exacted for its violation.  

The giving of the law was an act of God’s love and concern for His creation.  He did not want humanity to suffer the consequences of sin.  Rather, He wanted us to enjoy the many blessings that He longed to give mankind. 

God’s Commandments simply reveal the principles of love that have always existed in His mighty kingdom.  For God knew that if we broke His laws of happiness – they would surely break us.  The giving of the law was God’s way of warning us of the dangers and unhappiness of an immoral and disobedient lifestyle.  Therefore, His laws are a testimony to His love and Goodness.  

The Commandments Also Show Us the Mind of God. 

Pastor Scott Grant, of the Penisula Bible Church, introduces us to another wonderful attribute of God’s holy laws.  

The primary function of the law of God is to reveal God. It's his law; therefore, it tells us about him. It tells us what he cares about. And even a casual look...leaves one with the overwhelming impression that God cares about people. As we worship the Lord, as we draw close to him in adoration, we find that his concerns become our concerns. We begin to think as he thinks. Just as when we adopt the attitude of someone we spend a lot of time with, we begin to adopt the attitude of the Lord, assuming that we're spending time with him in loving adoration. As we worship him, we share his values -- we share his love for people.

God’s laws show us His kind heart, and they are proof  that He cares about the rights of other people.  In our present society, we pride ourselves on preserving human rights.  Isn’t it comforting and refreshing to know that God and Jesus Christ have always been the greatest advocates of human rights?  This is proven by God's great gift of the Ten  Commandments, which demands loving and respectful treatment of all human beings. 

The Goodness of God, which is proven by the Ten Commandments, is one of the aspects of the law that seems to have eluded most modern Believers.  Too often, today’s Christians view the laws of God as harsh and oppressive regulations.  However, in reality, they are actually Ten Points of Light, which reflect the loving heart of God and stands as witnesses to His care for the welfare of all humanity.  “...For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8). 

And, They Show Us Why We Need Grace. 

God’s commandments of love also allow us to see how lacking we are without God and Jesus.  The laws of God do not give us salvation – but, they do show us why we need salvation.  They help us understand how inadequate we are when we compare our thoughts and conduct, to that of God and the Lord Jesus. 

The commandments of God consist of a code of conduct that is above the capacity of carnal man to achieve by himself.  Mankind is born with a fleshly nature that is totally contrary to the obedience and acceptance of these principles.  

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be ( Rom 8:7). 

The laws of God are a constant reminder of man’s inability to live up to God’s standards.  They help keep us humble and remind us of our total dependence upon God and Jesus Christ.  Only the indwelling Christ can change our hearts and help us to begin to desire to live according to the will of the Heavenly Father.  Man can never keep the law apart from Jesus.  This is confirmed in the fifteenth chapter of the Book of John, “for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

Our inability to live up to the royal conduct of God, as is expounded in the law, makes every Believer cry out to God for help, forgiveness and salvation, through the blood of the Lamb.  In this way, the law constantly reminds us why we need the grace of God. 

In Conclusion 

It is only when we understand the different aspects of God's laws that we will begin to comprehend how they relate to the New Testament Christian.  They are an essential part of our walk with God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.   

When we sin, we have broken the spiritual law of love toward God and/or man.  However, if we are walking under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we will not be fulfilling the desires of the flesh.  Therefore, we will not be inflicting the selfish desires of our flesh upon another person.  Whether that person is God, our Savior Jesus Christ, or a fellow human being. 

The Apostle Paul testified that “the law is spiritual” (Rom. 7:14).  Therefore, it is eternal.  The Apostle also spoke of the godly characteristics of the law.  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Rom 7:12).  From Genesis to Revelations, all of God’s true servants obeyed His commandments and praised Him for the blessing of His judgments and statutes. 

The laws of God are no longer a death sentence for those who are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of God.  For the redeemed Believer, the eternal laws of God have been transformed into a marvelous light, which guides them into a lifestyle of love towards God and our neighbors on earth.  There are many wonderful aspects to God’s laws and commandments.  Truly, they are “holy, just and good.”