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“Lesson 07 - How Darkness Relates to Law”
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Lesson 7 - How Does Law Relate to Darkness?
Introduction
During the late 1990’s my family moved to South Dakota. We were immediately impressed with its governor, Bill Janklow. No matter the political persuasion, just about everyone could agree that he demonstrated his hands-on leadership with great passion. Everyone had an opinion on him. Usually it was one of two reactions: love or hate. This was not necessarily split down party lines. Getting his political start after serving as a lawyer who upheld the legal rights of poverty stricken Sioux Indians on the reservations, Janklow first served as state Attorney General, then as Governor for two eight year terms, 1979-1987 and 1995-2003. His persona fit very well into the rugged and brash, self reliant style that characterizes so much of the American West.
During the summer of 2000, forest fires decimated over 83,000 acres of the Black Hills National Forest. Spring blizzards that season dumped heavy wet snow on the forest, which took down many trees. As summer came on, the southern hills were hit with a severe drought, turning the downed timber into a tinderbox. On a Thursday afternoon in late August an arsonist started a fire on federal land just west of Jewel Cave. Initially, the National Park Service did little to slow down the fire. For the first few hours, they allowed the fire to burn through an area of diseased trees thinking they could save the time and money that would be expended later to cut down this section of forest. Then, without warning, the weather changed and the fire exploded. Hot, dry winds with extremely low humidity led to fire conditions unlike anything before in the recorded history of the area. Later, the Forest Service would say that on the first day, the inferno consumed “an average of about seven football fields of forest per minute.”?1 Fifty miles away in Rapid City, smoke dominated the sky for days with the fire becoming so large that it created its own weather. All of this was going on with what seemed like a lethargic response from Forest Service. The frustration of local residents grew almost as fast as the fire. Finally, the governor stepped in. Flying out from Pierre to assess the situation personally, he pressed the Federal Government to step up their efforts. Janklow brought in every state asset possible to help suppress the fire and used his clout to cut through the red-tape of the federal bureaucracy to meet urgent needs. After 16 days, the Jasper fire was contained.
Because of his strong leadership, I’m sure if a poll had been taken in the months after the fire was extinguished the governor would have had an almost 100% approval rating in the Black Hills region. After completing a second eight year stint as governor in 2003, Bill Janklow decided to run for South Dakota’s lone Congressional seat. He was easily elected. Janklow was on a roll. Wildly popular, it seemed that he couldn’t lose.
But, the governor had a very bad reputation for ignoring the state speed limits. “South Dakotans who had never met or seen the governor knew Bill Janklow was a speeder. He had received a dozen speeding tickets and had been involved in a half-dozen accidents. Part of it was functional. He had a lot of ground to cover between church suppers and county fairs. Part was political. Speed seemed to be Janklow's trademark”?2. He even appeared to be very proud of his bad habit. During his state of the state message in 1999, Janklow argued for stiffer criminal penalties, and used himself as an example of why stiff penalties deter criminals. “Bill Janklow speeds when he drives. He shouldn't, but he does. And when he gets a ticket he pays it. If someone told me I was going to jail for two days for speeding, my driving habits would change. I can pay the ticket but I don't want to go to jail”?3.
Tragically, Janklow’s words came back to haunt him in August 2003 when he sped down an eastern South Dakota gravel road at over 70 miles per hour. As he approached an intersection he ran the stop sign and crashed into motorcyclist Randy Scott, who was killed instantly. Janklow was charged with manslaughter and later found guilty. He was forced to resign from Congress in disgrace and serve 100 days in jail. He lost his law license for 2 years. Janklow, who had built a career as the South Dakota’s chief law enforcement officer and furthered that career through enabling tough criminal standards as governor, had his political life snuffed out by his own willful violation of the law. I believe it would be easy to say Bill Janklow was severely flawed. While he did much good, the consequences of his ignoring certain and important aspects of the law will never be forgotten. There will always be an asterisk by his name.
What is our opinion toward “law?” How does darkness work through “law” to promote it’s purposes?
Paul’s Remarks on the Law
“Law” is still a hotly contested topic in the church today, especially when taken into consideration with the topic of “grace.” Perhaps there is no faster way to start a spirited and emotional discussion than to bring this subject up. Mention that salvation is by grace through faith, Ephesians 2.8, and someone will quickly point out how faith without works is dead, James 2.24-26. Speak of the need to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2.12, and you may quickly hear someone else quote Romans 4.5-6: to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ….God counts righteousness apart from works. No matter which perspective we come from, we must remember that truth is found in all of these Scriptures. Each individual has a personal responsibility to let the whole record speak for itself. Emphasizing some passages and ignoring others is not an honest approach to Bible study. Sometimes it can get very discouraging as well intentioned brethren talk past each other, arguing from their preconceived conclusions rather than carefully examining the Biblical record. Will we let scripture speak for itself and form our conclusions from there?
Paul extensively discussed these matters with his spiritual brothers and sisters in Rome. In his letter to them, Paul vigorously defended the biblical doctrine of salvation by faith apart from works of Law. This is the primary message of chapters 3-5. Our salvation is only possible through the precious gift of Jesus, who took our punishment and died on the cross in our place. Those in Christ have been justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus, Romans 3.24-26. Adding what might be an exclamation point to an already powerful statement Paul says, For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law, 3.28. These facts should come as a great relief to every Christian. Justification on the basis of law requires that it be kept perfectly in order to be free of guilt. No man has ever kept it perfectly, Galatians 3.8-10. If we did, we would have reason to boast, Romans 4.2.
Paul knew this would generate a strong reaction from his critics. Anticipating their charge that he was giving Christians a license to sin, he says What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it, Romans 6.1-2. From there to the end of the chapter we find an eloquent and passionate defense of the doctrine of grace. Where would we be without the grace of God? When we realize just how marvelous this grace is, our hearts will be moved to follow through in surrender to His will. Who could not love God when they begin to comprehend the lengths God went to in order to rescue them from sin? It is our love and appreciation for God that fuels our faith. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments, John 14.15. The only acceptable obedience is that which is in loving response to the mercy of our great God and eternal Father. Salvation is not on the basis of our action, but God’s action.
To emphasize his point about salvation by grace through faith, Paul squarely addresses the inability of law to save.
- 3.20-21 - knowledge of sin comes through the law. The righteousness of God is manifested apart from the law.
- 3.28 - justification happens apart from works of the law.
- 4.13-14 - if those of law are heirs, then faith is void and the promise is nullified.
- 5.20 - the law came in to increase the trespass.
- 6.14 - we are no longer under law - but grace.
- 7.4 - in order to be joined to Christ, we must die to the law.
- 7.5 - law arouses sinful desires.
- 7.6 - Christians have been released from the law - having died to it.
It is hard to understand the earthquake Paul’s writing would have had inside the minds of Jewish readers. Most would have been shaken to the core. Their natural reaction would have been to charge Paul with disregarding law. It is the same today. Those who attempt to base their relationship with God on the number of commands they keep often make the same accusation. What they fail to realize is the fact that no law, old testament or new, saves. Salvation is not based on law, period. If a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law, Galatians 3.21.
Now back to Romans. In 7.7-13, we find a detailed response to the anticipated objections of those who attempt to serve God on the basis of law. Was Paul disregarding law? Are Christians free to live absolutely anyway they please? Absolutely not. Even though justification is not found through law, concerning it Paul says:
- 7.7a - the law is not sin.
- 7.7b - the law identifies sin. It shows sin for what it really is.
- 7.12 - the law is holy and the commandments are holy, righteous, and good.
From what perspective should we view law? And what does this have to do with darkness?
“Law” Serves an Important Purpose
“Law” exists and there is a very distinct purpose for it. By revealing His will through His Word, God manifested it. His thoughts are clear. His expectations are just. They have been given for our good. We must respond with respect and reverence. The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him, Habakkuk 2.20. God does the talking. He is in charge and in control. We are expected to understand and comply with His wishes. Walk as children of light and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord,….Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is, Ephesians 5.8b, 10, 17. God’s Word is the unalterable standard. We have no right to change or modify it, Revelation 22.18-19.
Any decision we make to disregard God and His law is sin. Sin is lawlessness, 1 John 3.4. All wrongdoing is sin, 1 John 5.17. “The revealed will of God, creates the foundation for lawbreaking and guilt, law-keeping and righteousness, and court and judge, and justification and condemnation. All of these great things rest on this one assumption: ‘there is law.’” “(If there were) no law there would be no law breaking. If there were no lawbreaking there would be no guilt. If there were no guilt, there would be no court. If there were no court, there would be no judge. If there were no judge, there would be no justification and no need for incarnation or crucifixion. The whole reality and the whole glory of redemption hang on the existence and excellence of law.”?4
In and of itself, law serves a very important purpose. It is light. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, Psalm 119.105. It defines the standard for righteousness. By defining righteousness, it exposes sin. It identifies our imperfections, flaws, and the weaknesses of the flesh. The law fixes boundaries to our desires. It teaches us what is really right and what is really wrong. It shows us where “lawful indulgences end and where sin begins.”?5 It’s precepts serve as guard posts in order to protect us from eternal death.
To back up his point, Paul uses the tenth commandment as an example, Romans 7.7b. Why covetousness? The root word “covet,” simply means desire. Not all desires are sinful. However, covetousness describes desires that go beyond God’s expectations. Covetousness hits at the illicit desires of the heart. Holding onto yearnings for things that are not proper is a violation of God’s law. Paul says he would not have known covetousness was sin had the law not said so. In and of ourselves, we cannot see sin for what it is. “Sin is imperceptible as sin, before the law calls it sin by prohibiting it.”?6
Our desires are not the standard. We are not the judge of what is right or wrong. God’s law is higher because it originates from God’s perfection. God’s law tells us what is right and wrong, good and bad, true and false. Think of how this contradicts the way of the world. Darkness says we should get what we deserve. What we want is our right. This is the same tactic Satan has been using since the garden, Genesis 3.5-6. Darkness pushes us to ignore God’s influence in our life and decide for ourselves as to what is right and wrong. Self becomes the god that knocks the one, true God off the throne of our heart.
May we always understand that “law” is good. It is not our enemy. We must always possess the type of heart that humbly submits to God out of reverence and respect.
Sin is the Problem
“Law” is not our enemy, sin is. Darkness is so insidious that it can even work through something intended for our good to cause us to commit more sin. Paul said, But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead, Romans 7.8. Verse 11 is very similar: For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. Darkness looks for every opportunity, even going so far as God’s law, to produce sin in us.
God revealed His will for our ultimate benefit and protection. Remember Romans 7.12: The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. In another place, it has been likened to a sharp sword. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, Hebrews 4.12. God’s word has the power to cut away the cancer of sin that invades our life. But, darkness uses what was intended for life and happiness against us. It takes the sword (God’s word) and kills us. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me, Romans 7.10.
How does darkness work through the commandment to kill us spiritually? Ultimately, darkness deceives us, 7.11. Satan is a liar and the Father of lies, John 8.44. He works through human logic. He works through our fleshly desires, making promises that he never intends to keep. But again we ask, how does Satan work through God’s law to deceive us? There are two ways.
First, consider what darkness says when we read some of God’s expectations that cover areas we are easily susceptible to because of the weakness of the flesh. Darkness whispers in the background saying “there’s no way you can do that, and why would you want to anyway?” Darkness says, “you’ll never match up.” It says, “the standard is too high,” and “it’s not worth it, just give up, and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh.”
Second, consider what darkness says when we examine the aspects of the law that come easy to us. We hear, “You’re good at that. You’ve got no problems here. So prove to yourself and everybody else how strong you are.” Darkness says “Take comfort in your righteousness and compare it to the shortcomings of those around you.” Satan works in such a way that we choose to ignore simple, but powerful passages like, Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall, 1 Corinthians 10.12.
This is why it is so important to see darkness for what it really is. It offers hopelessness which can be relieved through self indulgence, or it offers hopefulness through self righteousness. This is deception through and through. As fast as we can, we must run from both perspectives.?7
God’s Law is What Matters. Not Ours.
Previously, we touched on the problem of self exaltation. A challenge for every New Testament Christian is the realization of the difference between “law” and “our law.” We constantly fight the urge to take God’s law and place our own individual slant on what God has revealed. This is usually done to benefit ourself in some way. Darkness may influence us to loosen God’s standards for ourselves while making them more stringent for those around us. Some have the tendency to make their own standards so strict and unyielding (all in the name of God) that it is almost impossible to live by.
Allegiance to our own standards can become so important that we use “our law” to judge the spirituality of others. The elevation of our own opinions is nothing more than extending God’s law. When this happens, there can be a great temptation to enforce our own human judgments on everyone else. This is self-exaltation at its core and it is darkness at work.
For example, God has clearly communicated His principles on the attitude His sons and daughters need to have concerning their attire. The practice of licentiousness or lasciviousness is against God’s law, Galatians 5.19-21, Jude 4. These words come from the same Greek word which is defined by “sensuality,” “wanton acts or manners,” “unbridled lusts,” “outrageousness or shamelessness.” The avoidance of any of these attitudes and actions should be the first priority for the Christian. These principles must be applied in the places we go, the way we dress, and how we behave around those of the opposite sex. The teaching of these principles should be our first priority. But if we are not careful, we can shift the focus from principles to externals and from principles to specifics. How many congregations are almost torn apart over wearing shorts or certain clothing that may or may not be modest - depending on a person’s judgment? There aren’t any specifics. There is a reason for that. God wants each individual to think and wrestle with this. God wants a response in faith that originates from the heart. Our personal conclusions should not be used as the standard to judge the spirituality of someone else. Some are so obnoxious that they actually become a source of discouragement to others, especially with new Christians and young people.
God’s principles and expectations have been given to encourage us, as well as protect us. This is what really matters - not our own personal opinions or conclusions.
Conclusion:
Even after his own actions brought about the destruction of his political career and led to the death of an innocent individual, Bill Janklow still ignored the law. Once he was allowed to drive again, he accumulated at least four additional speeding tickets between 2008 and 2011.?8 The former South Dakota governor died on January 12, 2012 after battling brain cancer. He was 72.
May we endeavor to build our respect for God’s law. It was given to help us by illuminating the pathway of righteousness. And as we live by it, let us live by faith and trust in God and not depend on our own flawed application of its principles and commands.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What kind of reaction would Paul’s comments concerning the law in Romans 3-7.6 have generated among many Jews?
2. What is the purpose of “law”?
3. What do we need to know about our own desires?
4. What is at the root of how darkness works? See John 8.44.
5. How does darkness work through the law in order to kill us spiritually?
6. How does the failure to distinguish the difference between “law” and “our law” lead to problems inside the church?
7. What is so dangerous about equating our own standards with the standard God has set?
8. Besides the subject of modesty, can you think of any other examples where individuals tend to equate their own judgments with “law”?
9. Why do you think God would leave out “specifics” in the application of certain principles?
10. For what purpose has God’s commands and principles been given to us?
______________________
1 National Park Service (2011). “The Jasper Fire.” Jewell Cave National Monument. Retrieved 01/26/2012 from http://www.nps.gov/jeca/naturescience/jasperfire.htm
2 USA TODAY (2004). “Why Do We Speed? Because Everyone Else Does, Especially Our Leaders.” Retrieved 01/25/2012 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-04-10-speed1_x.htm
3 Hetland, C. (2004). “The Accident and the Aftermath.” Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 01/25/2012 from http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/01/21_hetlandc_janklowfive/
4 Piper, J. (2001). “There is Law!” Desiring God. Retrieved 01/17/2012 from http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-importance-of-knowing-our-sin
5 Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Public Domain. Derived from an electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
<http://www.ccel.org>. Formatted and corrected by OakTree Software, Inc. Version 1.3.
6 Piper, J. (2001). “How Do We Come to Know Sin?” Desiring God. Retrieved 01/17/2012 from http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/how-we-come-to-know-sin
7 Piper.
8 Kaus, A (2011). “Janklow has been given four tickets since fatal crash in 2003.” The Daily Republic. Retrieved 01/25/2011 from http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/55592/
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