Understanding that Biblical law serves as a gift with the purpose of restoration, rather than restriction, is a precursor to seeing the immense beauty of the gift of the law. The God of the Bible gifts a restorative, relation-building law while offering guidance for congruency with his perfect design for humanity.
Throughout scripture, it is apparent that the law is far from restriction but rather demonstrates God’s immense love, concern, and desire to restore his people’s relationship with him.
In the Old Testament, the gift of the giving of the law serves as a reminder of God’s past and present faithfulness and love to the nation of Israel.
Although the giving of the law on Mount Sinai and the consequent covenant established was specific to the Israelites as a distinguished nation under God, the implications of viewing the law as a gift are applicable today. The location of the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai parallels beautifully with Moses’ infamous burning bush encounter in Exodus 3. The burning bush encounter precedes events that ultimately lead to the deliverance of the Israelites. The giving of the Ten Commandments later in this same location serves as a reminder of his faithfulness and love for the Israelites. We can see God’s law is rooted in love and concern for his people rather than restriction.
In the New Testament, we are given several commands to live coinciding with God’s design for humanity, one of which is seen in Romans 12:2:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We today know that the law does not save us and that we are only saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, appreciating what Christ has done on the cross, frees us to see value in pursuing holiness. Commands and laws found in scripture offer insight into increasing societal morality and individual wellbeing. Commands in scripture are not to “limit our joy or freedom” but rather to offer insight into Christ-like character development, peace, and growth.
God’s commands do not take away our freedoms but rather free us to please the one to whom we owe everything.
Now that we have received the gift of salvation through grace, what better joy than to strive to live congruently with his perfect design for humanity.
Let’s grow every day more in love for the words of the one who created us.
