Does the Law = Rules?

When I say the word "law" what immediately comes to mind? A book of rules that if you don't follow there are punishments? Probably. That's what I think too. I think that even about the Law contained in the Old Testament. You know, the 10 Commandments and all that.

But I want us to consider a little thing that Jesus said about the Law:

Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice mercy and faithfulness."

Now, putting aside the rebuke against the religious leaders for a moment, I thought it interesting that this is how Jesus summed up the law in just three words: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. To me, this doesn't speak of a book of rules but of a life of character. Justice speaks of a pure character, mercy speaks of a loving character, and faithfulness speaks of a person in love with God and wholly devoted to them.

The Law is really nothing more than a partial revelation of God's character. The more we become like God the more we become like what the Law says. How does that happen? Surely not from our own efforts, but from opening up our lives to God Himself who gave His Son to suffer the punishments we deserved (mercy) so that He could place His Holy Spirit inside us to change us into His character (justice) and will hold on to us no matter what and will never stop loving us (faithfulness).

Instead of looking at the Law as a book of rules, think about it as a character sketch of God.

Pastor Tom