The Perfection of the Law

Read 人若遵行，就必因此活著 (CUV), not 人應該遵行這些，按照它們生活 (NCV)

Verse 5 is a significant verse

One says that this verse is a "summary of the entire law."[1] 「整個律法的總結」

This verse is one of the best OT statements of the concept of law 律法的概念

As we are studying the law, it is important for us to understand what it is we are studying.  What is the law? Why did God give it to Israel?

If we want to understand what the Bible teaches about law and its connection to our relationship with God, this verse and its NT explanation is important.

Basic message: There are two main uses 用法 of the law

I want us to learn these two "lawful" uses of the law from this verse. Unless we remember this, we will have a hard time understanding the OT, especially the law!

1)       The law teaches us our utter sinfulness so that we will depend on grace

2)       The law teaches us God's perfect righteousness so that we can obey him

These two are related. We must do these in order: first repent and depend on God's grace; and only then will are we able to obey properly.

→   The perfection of God's law both reveals our need for grace, and shows us how to express love for grace. 神完美的律法顯明我們對恩典的需要，而且教我們如何表達對恩典的愛。

The Perfection of the Law, Part 1 律法的完美（上）

The first thing we see in our verse is the perfection of the law

If someone were to perfectly keep the entire law, then they would have eternal life.

This is the rather clear meaning of the verse. He's not just talking about staying alive. He is talking about true life, eternal life. (That's how the NT applies this passage each time: Lk 10:28; Gal 3:12; Rom 10:5)

Calvin: "The hope of eternal life is, therefore, given to all who keep the Law"[2] 「永生的盼望是給於所有遵行律法的人」

Piper: "If we would trust him and by his grace never sin, we would be saved and have everlasting life."[3] 「我們如果相信他、靠著他的恩典完全不犯罪，那我們就會得救、有永生」

(Both of them are quick to add that this never happens, just as the OT and NT make clear. But, the first point I want to make is that it is hypothetically 理論上來說 possible, because the law is so complete and perfect.)

Romans 7:12, 10 – It is righteous and holy and good! It promised life!

(CCV: 那原本要帶來生命的誡命，反而給我帶來死亡)

We see here the perfection of God's law

God left nothing out that needed to be said; God taught everything necessary.
神毫無保留的啟示我們一切所需要的

Do you think this way about the Law?

It was so perfect that if you kept it perfectly, without any sin, it "promises life".

Yet 然而...

Yet, it brings death (Rom. 7:10). It promises life for full obedience, but it brings death.

The Despair of the Law 律法的絕望

The next thing we should see in our verse is our utter hopelessness under the law.

It looks like this phrase is motivating us to obey because of this promise.

Yet, when we look at the entire context of Leviticus, as well as the NT, we become less optimistic about this promise!

What appears here to be a great promise and motivation actually appears to lead us to despair. It reminds us that life depends on this, on me keeping this perfect law!

Ex. I sometimes tell my children to obey with a happy heart 要開開心心的順服. I don't tell them this because they can actually do it, but to teach them how high God's standard is. My purpose is that they would deeply sense their need for a Savior!

If everlasting life depends on my law-keeping, then I am doomed 我有禍了! The problem is not with God's perfect law, the problem is with my sinful heart!

This is how the Bible explains the law of God; let's see evidence from NT and from OT:

Evidence from Romans/Galatians

The law promises life! Sounds great! What's the problem with this? Me!

Romans 7:14 – The law is fine; the problem is me and my sin! (cf. v. 13)

Calvin: "Scripture [denies we are justified by works not] because the Law itself is imperfect, or does not give instructions for perfect righteousness; but because the promise is made of none effect by our corruption and sin."[4] 「聖經否認靠著行律法稱義，不是因為律法本身有錯、或缺乏完美公義的教導，而是因為我們的罪性與腐敗使這個應許無效」

Rom 8:3 – This is why we need the gospel! God did what the law could not do.

The law is bad news because of our sinful nature, not because of the law

The law 不過是 brings nothing but a curse to us since we don't keep it all (Gal 3:10)

The law does not impart life (Gal. 3:21). It shows the way, but does not enable you to do walk on it.

Therefore, the best it can do is lead us to despair.

Evidence from Gen-Lev

Yet, this is not new to the NT. The OT believer knew this as well!

1Ki 8:46 – Solomon: "There is no one who does not sin." 「世上沒有不犯罪的人」 (CUV) (cf. also Ecc. 7:20, Prov. 20:9)

Gen-Lev has proved how bad we are at keeping the law!

Can we have much confidence in law-keeping? Leviticus' answer is no.

We see this in Nadab and Abihu's sin, as well as Aaron's other two sons. We saw it earlier in Aaron's own sin of making the golden calf.

Soon after this we see the people sacrificing to goat-demons 山羊鬼.

Any life that depends on entirely doing this law is sadly out of reach渴望而不可及.

Don't be deceived

Do not deceive yourself and think, "Well the law doesn't look that hard!"

Don't kill, don't make idols, don't commit adultery. That's all, right?

"I'm not really tempted [受到…的引誘] to start worshiping goats!"

Don't forget that God is after the heart!

Ex. 32 – The problem was not just the calf – they said the calf saved them out of Egypt. People were probably saying the same thing about the goats.

Deu. 9:4-5 – Do not say it is because of your righteousness that you were saved!

What is the real point here?

It is about what we trust in, where we look to for salvation. You perhaps have never worshiped goats, but you have thought before you deserved salvation, or that you didn't deserve hell.

You have thought before, "I'm better them him/her." "It is because of my wisdom!"

This command is broken every time we are proud!

This command is broken every time whenever we trust in anything but the Lord [主之外的任何東西] for salvation. (You might even say whenever we doubt justification by faith.)

Rom. 7:14 – The law is spiritual 律法是屬靈

Commandment #10: Do not covet 不可貪愛 (Ex. 20:17)

This is the one that apparently broke 打倒 the apostle Paul, that convinced him of his sin within, and that he needed a Savior (Rom. 7:7-9)

Have you ever coveted? Someone else's house/car/thing? Someone else's wife/husband?

Have you always been entirely content and thankful with what God has given you and not complaining your entire life? 你是否時時刻刻完全知足、感謝神因為他所給你的、而且從來不抱怨呢？

No. The Bible does not accept a superficial reading of the law: "Don't worship goats and don't marry your sister, and you'll be fine"

Point: the law brings despair

The perfection of the law brings us to despair

If our very life depends on our doing, then we ought to be in despair.

The Hope of Grace 恩典的盼望

This despair shows us our utter need for grace.

You say: but what does this verse say about grace?

True, it doesn't mention grace. Yet, the reason it is here is to point us to grace.

This is crucial: Even though the law would give life to those who keep it, that is not the reason God gave it to them.

The reason it could give life is because it is so perfect. Yet, because it is so perfect, we can never do it. God knew nobody would be saved by it. God gave it to them is to reveal to their need for grace.

Just like I said above, I tell my children, "Obey with a happy heart," not because I think they can do it, but so that they realize they can't.

Gen-Lev has also shown us how gracious God is!

Genesis teaches God is gracious (in creation and covenant)

The point in Genesis is that God initiates to show kindness. He doesn't act because people deserve it, but because he desires to!

He created the world out of love. He saved Noah and his family out of love. He made a covenant with Abraham out of love.

None of these people asked for or deserved his help—he just gave it!

Exodus teaches that God is gracious (in redemption and instruction)

We did not do anything to be saved by God except be needy 顯明我們的需要. (The one thing we contribute 貢獻 to salvation is our sin, our need to be saved!)

God saved Israel out of Egypt and then gave them the law, not the reverse! The purpose of the law was not to save them, but to show them how much they need him!

Even when they break the covenant at Mt. Sinai, God forgives them!

Leviticus teaches us that God is gracious

He is holy…but he is also gracious! He provides a way of atonement so that our sin can be forgiven and our price paid.

Point: The law is not to make us holy before God, it is to show us our need for grace

The point of the law is to lead us to repentance! It is to lead us to cry out for God's mercy. It leads us to see salvation depends entirely upon God's grace…or else we are doomed!

Gal 3:24 – "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith." (NAS) 樣，律法成了我們的啟蒙教師，領我們到基督那裡，使我們可以因信稱義。

Gal 2:16 – We are justified by faith, not by works of the law! This is entirely dependent on God's grace. This is how people have always been saved!

Rom 10:4 – The end (終結) of the law was to lead us to Christ to find righteousness in him!

Do you know what the next verse is? Romans 10:5 quotes Leviticus 18:5 (and it should begin with a "for", of explanation)!  This is a rich section of Scripture. At the least he means Leviticus 18:5 should lead us to the conclusion of Romans 10:4!

Let's turn back to Lev 18:5…

The Perfection of the Law, Part 2 律法的完美（下）

Summary

We've seen three steps:

1)       This verse reveals the perfection of the law: if obeyed perfectly, it would bring eternal life.

2)       In the context of Gen-Lev, we see that we cannot obey perfectly, and therefore despair of this promise of "life"

3)       Yet, the context of Gen-Lev also teaches us that God is gracious towards sinners, and therefore we put all of our trust in him for salvation.

That is the first use of the law.

The first use of the law is to reveal our sin so that we repent and depend on grace.

You might think: If it's impossible then why tell them this so-called "promise"? Because he wants them to see their inability and trust in his grace!

The perfection of the law reveals our need for grace.

There is a second use of the law.

The perfection of the law also teaches us how to express our love for God

This comes after the first use. Because we are accepted by grace, we now love God, are filled with thankfulness, and want to live for him.

We obey it not so that God will accept us, but because he already has accepted us.

We now read verse this as a reminder of God's kindness in revealing such a perfect law.

The law is God's perfect standard! It reveals his holiness. It is thus our great delight!

This might be said for the commands in the NT as well.  Jesus didn't make things easier by talking about love—he made the law even stricter!

Conclusion

→   The perfection of God's law both reveals our need for grace, and shows us how to express love for grace. 神完美的律法顯明我們對恩典的需要，而且教我們如何表達對恩典的愛。

Hopefully that helps explain this verse that might have been confusing.

Hopefully this convinces you afresh of our need for grace and of God's abundant supply

See God's amazing holiness in his demands of us; and despair of all your righteousness!

I hope that this will stir up your heart to follow God's commands, because you love him.

I hope that if your heart towards obedience is cold today, you will see it is because your love for grace has grown cold.

John 14:23 – "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word" 人若愛我，就要遵守我的話