Civil Law: Civil law deals mainly with relationships between individuals, the settling of disputes, proper behaviour and lays down a normative social structure. Some examples are: Be just with the poor, Cattle of neighbour, rebellious Children, Debt, Divorce, Murder, and killing; Robbery, extortion, false witness, and restitution etc
Moral Law: The moral laws are direct commands of God. A good example is the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). The moral laws reveal the nature, will, and character of God and still apply to us today. The notion that the law of God has been nailed to the cross, is a gross misnomer. It is as alive today, as it was thousands of years ago. Further, accepting the law in part is also a great error. Lastly amending the Law of God is the greatest sin, as mortal man dares not show his supremacy over his Creator.
The Lord has also clarified in Mathew 5:17-18 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Further, it is our duty to obey God's law. Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV. "Here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
I John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." A sinner cannot enter the door of heaven. This underscores the necessity to keep all of God's law? James 2:10-11, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker." If we know Jesus, we will keep His commandments. I John 2:4-6, NIV. "The man who says, 'I know Him,' but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep my commandments."
In the parable of the rich ruler, in Mathew 19:16-30, the Lord again upholds the law. When the rich ruler asks the Lord what he should do to enter the “kingdom of Heaven, the Lord replies, in verse 17&18 “keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” The laws of the Lord are sacrosanct and immutable. The Lord never changed the Law, man, however, did. What the Lord does cannot be undone by man. The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the moral law completely. Further, there is no suggestion in the scriptures that the laws have been nailed to the cross.
Thus, we see that the governance of God rests with these laws. It becomes obligatory for us to observe them in truth and spirit.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in