But then, Jesus said exactly the same thing.

He explained that all the Law and the prophets are fulfilled in the commands to love God and our neighbors (Matt. 22.34-40). The whole of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, is given to equip us for good works of love (2 Tim. 3.15-17). Contrary to what many of us may think about the Law of God, it’s not this horrible burden and yoke, the keeping of which threatens to turn us all into little legalists vainly pursuing a salvation by works. Keeping the Law of God, and encouraging others to do so, is the way to greatness in the Kingdom of God.

At least, that’s what Jesus taught (Matt. 5.17-19).

The Law of God is a law of love, a sure and reliable guide to lead us in paths of love for God and neighbor. And even a cursory examination of the Law of God reveals that it addresses itself to all manner of cultural issues and concerns.

The Law and culture

For example, the Law of God provides guidance in things like marriage and family life, the education of children, conducting business in the marketplace, making scales and using money, pursuing justice in courts of law, using the arts to the glory of God, what to eat, how to dress, how to honor your neighbors and care for the poor, how to conserve natural resources, and even how to conduct international relations.

These are all cultural issues and activities, and the Law of God, which is given to teach us how to love, speaks to them all.

And what the Law of God teaches are the best ways to pursue all such cultural activities so as to refract the character of the eternal God into our everyday lives, so that we glorify Him even in such mundane cultural activities as eating and drinking.

God gave His Law to Israel not to enslave them, but to liberate them into a culture and society where love provided the guiding norms and practice. This is why James refers to the Law of God as “the law of liberty” (Jms. 2:12), and counsels us to live in every aspect of our lives according to this divinely-provided standard. The righteous person, who certainly knows how to use culture in ways that demonstrate love for God and neighbor, meditates on the Law of God throughout the day (Ps. 1). The Law and commandments of God are holy and righteous and good, says the Apostle Paul (Rom. 7.12). The Law of God illuminates the pathways of love, John explained (1 Jn. 5.1-3).

And what we say about the Law of God we say about all of Scripture. The Law of God is to the rest of holy Scripture as the acorn to the oak. A growing oak brings changes to the acorn, to be sure, but the essence and ultimate purpose remain the same. The Law of God teaches us to read all of Scripture not just in “spiritual” ways but in social, moral, and cultural ways, so that the whole of life will be formed by the teaching of divine revelation, and we will be fully equipped for every good work, including all the work of culture (2 Tim. 3.15-17).

Right where you are

And we don’t have to go far or attain some position of stature in order to love God, obey His commandments, and transform culture into a culture of love.

Paul says we should each one remain in the calling – the place, occupation, relationships, roles, and responsibilities – in which we came to the Lord, and serve Him there by obeying His Word in every detail of our everyday lives. That’s not to say we can’t change jobs or get married or move to a new place; it simply means that obeying God’s Law and living according to His Word, so that love for God and neighbors blossoms daily in and through us, can and must occur wherever we go in our walk with the Lord.

We can and must fulfill God’s purpose for the culture of our lives. Our witness to Him absolutely depends on our doing so.

Next steps

Can it be true that the Law of God is a law designed to school us in the ways of love? Meditate on the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). How can you see that these are designed, not to save us, but to enable us to live by the principles of love in the context of God’s gracious salvation? Talk with some Christian friends about this.

Additional Resources

Download this week’s study, The Purpose of Culture.

You can also download the two previous ViewPoint studies in this series, Engaging Culture and Redeeming Culture, by clicking here and here.

For a brief study of what it means to pursue culture every day for the glory of God, order T. M.’s book, Christians on the Front Lines of the Culture Wars by clicking here.

Sign up for ViewPoint Leaders Training and start your own ViewPoint discussion group.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.