T. M. Moore

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Acts 23.2, 3

According to the Law of God, a man could only be beaten for transgression once his guilt had been duly determined, and then only if beating was the proper punishment for his offense. The high priest was supposedly the embodiment of the Law of God to the nation of Israel, and yet he himself stood guilty of violating that law and acting as a law unto himself. Paul did not hesitate to point out the inconsistency.

Christians must demand consistency of their public officials, and of their religious and spiritual leaders. But we must do so from some basis, and the only holy and righteous and good basis which does not change is the Law of God.

The Law defines and exposes sin. The Law engages the Spirit of God and outlines the full scope of Christ’s saving work. The Law marks out the path of righteousness and blessing. And the Law of God remains in force until the Lord Jesus returns. If we wish our nations to be wise and understanding, and our societies to reflect justice and to provide a context in which the work of the Gospel can flourish, then we must not be reluctant to embrace, proclaim, teach, and practice the Law of God.

We must be consistent in this – as Paul showed himself to be in this situation (v. 5). Then we shall be in a proper position to demand consistency of those who lead us, whether in the church or in civil government. There can be no consistency without an unchanging standard of truth, and no such standard exists except the holy and righteous and good Law of God. Kingdom greatness – and the best hope of any nation for justice and salvation – rests within the framework of obedience to that Law (Matt. 5.17-19; Ps. 33.10-12).

For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the life of faith, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.