Topical Bible: The Law of God is the Rule of the Judgment

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The concept that the Law of God serves as the rule of judgment is deeply rooted in biblical theology and is a central tenet in understanding divine justice and righteousness. This principle asserts that God's commandments, as revealed in Scripture, are the standard by which all humanity will be judged.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently affirms that God's Law is the measure of judgment. In the Old Testament, the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai serves as the foundation for Israel's covenant relationship with God. The Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, encapsulates the moral law that reflects God's holy character. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 emphasizes the choice between life and death, blessing and curse, based on adherence to God's commandments: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. So choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reaffirms the enduring nature of God's Law. In Matthew 5:17-18 , Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

The Role of the Law in Judgment

The Law serves as the standard by which God judges both individuals and nations. Romans 2:12-16 explains that all people, whether they have received the Law or not, are accountable to God's righteous standards: "All who sin apart from the Law will also perish apart from the Law, and all who sin under the Law will be judged by the Law. For it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be declared righteous."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the purpose of the Law in revealing sin and guiding believers toward righteousness. In Romans 3:19-20 , he writes, "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law. For the Law merely brings awareness of sin."

The Law and the Final Judgment

The final judgment, as depicted in Scripture, underscores the Law's role as the rule of judgment. Revelation 20:12 describes the scene: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This passage suggests that God's Law, as recorded in the books, will be the standard by which deeds are evaluated.

Grace and the Law

While the Law is the rule of judgment, the New Testament also emphasizes the role of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are justified not by the works of the Law but by faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law on their behalf. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Nevertheless, the moral imperatives of the Law remain relevant for guiding Christian conduct. Romans 6:15-16 addresses this balance: "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?"

In summary, the Law of God as the rule of judgment is a foundational biblical doctrine that underscores the holiness of God, the accountability of humanity, and the necessity of grace through faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Law of God
... Israel might be regulated by a certain rule of public ... (2.) That the Israelites might,
by this law, be distinguished ... Thus was it the will of God, that this his ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 12 the law of.htm

Sanctification.
... (2.) With the law of God before us ... to that standard or not, is the highest evidence
which the mind can have of a present state of conformity to that rule. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xli sanctification.htm

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not ...
... holy will revealed in his law or word, it cannot be subject to the law of God. ... It
is certain, that as the will of God is the supreme rule of righteousness ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx because the carnal.htm

The Law Established through Faith
... thousand may have been awakened by the gospel: But this is no general rule: The
ordinary method of God is, to convict sinners by the law, and that ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 35 the law established.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... according to God's meaning and made it a rule of direction ... we have many preachings
of the Son of God and his apostles in this Bible,"both law and gospel ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... the things contained in the law) [5795] "surely the God who shall ... both the law, and
that nature which is the rule [5796] to them who know not the law. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm

Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to ...
... we descend to the righteousness of the Law, the curse ... and trusting entirely to the
mercy of God, apprehended by ... General rule, or summary of the above doctrine. ...
/.../chapter 12 necessity of contemplating.htm

Declaring when Spiritual and Corporal Penances Ought to be Used ...
... be subject to the Spirit and follow the Law of God ... to whom he moves the great love
of God, which they ... particular Motives and make not any general Rule for all. ...
/.../chap xv declaring when spiritual.htm

The First Blast of the Trumpet
... the judgment of the most godly writers: GOD hath dejected women from rule, dominion,
empire ... neither the example of Deborah, neither the law made for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/title page.htm

The Law Useless for Salvation; the Last Law of Chastity under the ...
... that they would obey the commandments; until God, pitying man the fourth time, sent
chastity to rule over them ... there will be hereafter no other law or doctrine ...
/.../chapter iv the law useless for.htm