For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
- Galatians 3:10-11
And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
- Exodus 20:1-2
|
Which of the seven errors regarding God's law are errors of underemphasizing the importance of the law? Which are errors of overemphasizing the position of the law? |
Many of the Jews in Jesus' time regarded the law as a means to earn salvation. They believed that God required them first to keep His law, upon which they would be saved. Salvation was viewed as a reward for obedience. They presented God's law as a form of the Covenant of Works, not of Grace. Notice, however, that the introduction to God's law testifies against this error. God did not deliver His people from bondage because they obeyed His law, but He first delivered them and then gave them His law to be obeyed from a spirit of thankfulness. The obedience of God's law by His people was not in order to be saved; but because they had been saved. God's grace, not man's merits, was the focus of God's law.
Errors pertaining to God's law did not end with Jesus' death; several wrong views and applications of God's law remain today. These would include the following seven erroneous views:
|
1. Anarchism |
No law; denial of all law, authority and government |
|
2. Dispensationalism |
The law does not apply today; it only pertained to the dispensation of Old Testament Israel |
|
3. Antinomianism |
No binding law for the believer; the Christian is totally free from the law due to Christ's fulfillment of it |
|
4. Neonomianism |
The addition of new "gospel law"; the believer's obedient response by repenting and believing con-tribute to his justification |
|
5. Self-meriting Justification |
The earning of personal justification through obedience to the law |
|
6. Perfectionism |
The believer's ability to perfectly keep the law; to live without sin |
|
7. Legalism |
The addition of man-made laws, interpretations, and customs to God's law |
