4.7 The functions of the law

4.7 The functions of the law make a decision: if they kept it, they would have the blessing of God, but if they broke it, they would incur God’s curse (Deuteronomy 11: 26–28). Cases where only the ritual side of the law was emphasised—the merely formal ful- filment of the Commandments—were harshly criticised by the prophets (Isaiah 1: 10–17). The path to salvation, that is to complete reconciliation with God, was es- tablished in Jesus Christ. The New Testament exposes what the Mosaic Law is all about: it is not—as had been previously believed—a path to salvation, but rather illustrates the situation of mankind irredeemably entangled in sin be- fore God, and points to the true path of salvation. Furthermore, the New Testament allows for a considerable extension of the concept of law: it no longer refers only to the Torah which was enshrined in writing, but also to the basic state of all life and all things, of which man is also a part. This includes the laws of cause and effect, seed and harvest, and birth and death, from which nothing and no one is exempt. The term “law” also refers to an authority present within man which places moral and ethical demands on him (see 4.2.1.3). Both Jews and Gentiles are subject to the law: the Jews are subject to the law revealed to Moses, while the Gentiles are subject to the law which God Himself wrote in their hearts (Romans 2: 15). 4.7.2 The law as a guide to righteous conduct The function of the law given by God is to instruct mankind in the conduct that is pleasing to God. It constitutes God’s kind help in life, which provides human beings with concrete rules of conduct. Thus the law leads man to do good works and seeks to help him avoid evil. Of central importance within the Mosaic Law were the commandments concerning food and purity, as well as the instructions concerning the ob- servance of the Sabbath and the exercise of the priestly service. This law pro- vided mankind with a standard for the appropriate worship of God as well as the correct way of interacting with each other: “He has shown you, O man, 193 4 Mankind in need of redemption what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6: 8). To act in accordance with “God’s word”—that is the law—means above all to remain faithful to God and not worship idols. A person’s humbleness is demonstrated by his obedience toward God. On an interpersonal level, to “practise love” means to respect and esteem others. Jesus Christ expresses this fundamental requirement of the law in the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets” (Matthew 7: 12). The devout of the old covenant assumed that the law’s requirements could be fulfilled and thereby serve to the attainment of salvation. However, there are also several passages in the Old Testament that attest to an awareness of the fact that man is incapable of completely fulfilling all prescriptions of the law (Psalm 19: 12). In general, however, the conviction stood: those who ful- filled the law were righteous and would receive salvation. Those who trans- gressed against the law were sinners who stood under threat of judgement. 4.7.3 The law as a guide for recognising sin The correct understanding of the law given by God is revealed in the light of the gospel. Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans: “Now we know that what- ever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3: 19–20). In view of the law’s demands, which they repeatedly fail to fulfil, human beings recognise that they are sinful and unrighteous, and therefore in need of divine grace (Romans 7: 7–10). From the perspective of the New Testament, the most important function of the Mosaic Law consists of helping people recognise that it is impossible to attain salvation solely through their own efforts. The law cannot make an unrighteous person righteous or grant pardon to a sinner. Nevertheless, the 194