Human or Divine Law: No Contest (11)

God's law does not try to do too much. It attempts to prevent violence and theft by punishing stealing, assault and murder. It protects the family by trying to minimise adultery.

God's law does not try to much more, but recognises the limits of what can be achieved if hearts are not changed. For example, it gives up trying to prevent adultery in a society that is hard of heart (Matt 19:8).

Often the best that God's law can do is minimise theft and violence. That is not a lot, but it is enough for society to live in relative harmony.

God's law does try to eliminate evil or make people good. It leaves that to Jesus and testifyies to him.

Now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify (Rom 3:21).

The law works in advance of Jesus by restraining the worst effects of sin, but does not try to eliminate them, until hearts are changed (Rom 3:20). God's law points to Jesus and restrains sin, until Jesus and the Holy Spirit have done their work. This is the best thatlaw can do, but it is enough.

Human law always tries to do too much. Not content with preventing theft and violence, politicians try to solve ever problem: eliminate poverty, eradicate racism, transform the economy, save the environment, and all before morning tea.

Human law tries to do everything, but succeeds at nothing, except destroying freedom and stealing income. And it is so busy trying to do everything, that it fails to do the basic things like restraining theft and violence.

God's law is superior to human law: no contest.
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