Abusing the Law

I Timothy 1:5-11

Laws are a set of rules governing behavior. They are established to produce a certain result. For example, laws regarding driving are usually set for the protection of peoples safety. Were there no laws governing speed limits, driver qualifications, and how we were to drive, the level of danger would rise exponentially. The goal is to minimize the danger.

God established a set of laws for Israel. The ten Commandments are a concise summation of those laws. Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy go into detail as to how these laws were to be applied in various situations. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said it could all be summed up in two. Matthew 22:37-40 records his answer. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Paul states that the goal of the law was to produce a genuine love.

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” (I Timothy 1:5-7)

Several years ago a small town on a major highway posted a reduced speed limit to school children in their community. Violators were fined and charged a court fee. Since the community had little other funding. the court fees were given to pay the magistrate, and the fines went into a fund to pay for the marshal. The community had a hard time paying the marshal and the magistrate. One day a truck parked in front of one of the school zone signs, and the marshal was able to stop a lot of speeders who hadn’t seen the sign. He and the Magistrate got paid that week.

The magistrate’s brother owned a couple of trucks, so they had him park one in front of the sign once in a while to increase their income. This went on for a while but they got greedy. They hired a deputy marshal and paid the trucker to leave a trailer parked in front of the sign. The state finally stepped in and took away their authority to collect fines after a couple of kids were hit by people who had been unable to see the signs. The way the school zone sign was being used was contrary to it’s intent. The signs were not posted to produce income, but to warn drivers of a hazard. Parking the truck in front of the sign defeated the purpose.

Some develop a similar attitude regarding the Old Testament Law. As Paul describes they want to teach the law, but have no interest in its intent or even in the long term results of what they are teaching. The marshal and magistrate endangered the school children to increase their income. These teachers do the same thing. Their use of the law is an evil thing, rather than good, but as Paul pointed out, the intent of the law is good.

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” (I Timothy 1:8-11)

The authority to collect fines from those exceeding the speed limit in the school zone was granted with the intent of forcing people to pay attention to the signs. The fines were set because some people deliberately ignore the warnings. They were not there for those who slowed down as soon as they saw the school. God established the Law for those who deliberately do wrong. They are not intended for those who are trying to do right. A person who slowed down because he cared about the kids fulfilled the intent of the school zone whether he saw the signs or not. A person who loves in a biblical manner fulfills the Law even though he may not know it’s requirements. Galatians 5:14 explains this. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Several years ago, I was ticketed in the little town. I couldn’t believe I missed the sign as I was looking for one, so I drove back to see if it was there. It was, but I had to stop and get out of my car to see it. Friends told us the truck was nearly always there. Knowing I might forget where the sign was, I deliberately avoided going through that town for several years. I wonder how many people avoid churches because they have misused and abused God’s law?