Negative Law (22)

Judges have no authority until a crime has occurred. Biblical Law is phrased negatively, as in "you shall not steal". This negative wording is very important. Breaking this law has a penalty, but provided people do not steal, they are free to do what they like with their money. This gives individuals great freedom and limits the authority of the judges to the punishment of theft.

A positively stated law would give judges much greater power and greatly reduce freedom. Consider a law, such as "you must give any spare money to the poor". This positively-stated law would give judges the right to monitor and challenge every financial transaction. Some good might follow, but judges would have an extremely dangerous power and the people would lose our freedom.

Biblical law does not give judges responsibility for forcing people to lead virtuous lives. The Law cannot change human nature, so it cannot eliminate sin. The only solution to sin is regeneration by the Holy Spirit in response to the gospel of Jesus. Under biblical law, judges can only restrain sin by punishing crimes; they must not attempt to make people good.

Politicians believer they can make people good. That is what makes them dangerous.