The Law of God and Public Policy: First Things (3)

“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” Deuteronomy 4.5, 6

The way governments and peoples will be drawn to seek God’s Law is when they observe the wisdom and understanding to be gained through the Law. The Church embodies the rule of Christ – the Kingdom of God – where the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit should be most in evidence (Rom. 14.17, 18; Matt. 5.17-19). As believers go among and converse with their unbelieving neighbors, the hope they have in Jesus Christ, which they live in obedience to God’s Law, should provoke many to want the benefits of such wisdom and understanding for their own lives (1 Pet. 3.15; Mic. 4.1-5).

But for the Law of God thus to attract people – convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment as the Spirit woos and strives with them (Jn. 16.8-11) – it will be essential that Christians live and teach the Law as dutiful citizens of the Kingdom of God (Matt. 5.17-19; 1 Jn. 2.1-6). Peter says the followers of Christ must not suffer because of unrighteousness. If they suffer as believers, because they live holy lives, then this is a reason to glorify God (1 Pet. 4.12-16). But how shall believers be made fit for such lives? Peter responds “it is time for judgment to begin from the household of God” (v. 17).

I am not unaware that this passage is usually translated “at” or “with” the household of God. But the preposition is apo – “from”, or “by means of”, not “at” or “with.” The work of bringing God’s holy and righteous and good Law to men and nations begins from the household of God, where the followers of Jesus Christ must be diligent in learning, obeying, and teaching the Law of God, in the first instance, among themselves.

In the Kingdom of God good works are no less a part of our mission than good words. Believers have been redeemed for good works (Eph. 2.8-10); they are not to grow weary in seeking to perform good works (Gal. 6.1-10); indeed, we are to be very zealous to learn and do every good work (Tit. 3.1, 8, 14). By our good works we draw attention to our good God and cause others to discover their own sins and to seek the favor of the Lord. This may come about first, in their seeking the wisdom and understanding which they observe in His Law. Ultimately, of course, we pray and work for that wisdom, thus observed, to lead them to salvation in Jesus Christ.

There is no excuse – no excuse – for churches ignoring, minimizing, neglecting, or otherwise failing to treat the Law of God with the reverence and respect it demands. We cannot fulfill our mission of reconciling the world to God through Jesus Christ apart from obedience to God’s Law (2 Cor. 5.17-21). It is time for judgment, for the application of God’s Law to every aspect of human life, to begin from the household of faith. As we learn, live, and teach the Law among ourselves, we will be in a better position to persuade our unbelieving neighbors, and the governments that rule them, to incorporate the spirit of God’s Law in their own public policies.

Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. Sent to your desktop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Crosfigell includes a devotional based on the literature of the Celtic Christian period and the Word of God, highlights of other columns at the website, and information about mentoring and online courses available through The Fellowship.