Question: “Why do you think the commandments and laws are what they are? Do you think they in some way define the nature of God?”

Answer: The question contains the answer, and it is to the credit of the person asking this question that he/she correctly perceives the nature of God’s law. Certainly they do define the very nature of God, especially His justice, holiness (separation from man or “otherness”), His sovereignty and power, and His love and grace. Although the Gospel far better defines the love, mercy, and grace of God, even the law is an expression of love as it provided guidance and protection for His people. As an example, the law provided means of avoiding disease by its hygienic provisions.

The person asking the question also manifests an accurate understanding in that he or she did not speak of commandments and laws of the Old Testament as opposed to commandments and laws of the New Testament. In truth, God has but one law, not an Old Testament law and a New Testament law, but one consistent law. Jesus and the apostles simply brought the law to its completion, as Jesus said he would do (Matt. 5:17). The law and the commandments convict people of sin (Rom. 7:7). Thus the law drives people to Christ as the only remedy for sin (Gal. 3:23-24). The law has no power to forgive sin or to mitigate its power, but Christ does; thus, the law precedes the Gospel, and we must present them in that order.

Additionally the law shows us the will of God for our lives (Rom. 7:7ff). Though we shall never keep the law perfectly, it provides us with the goal for which we strive and thus with direction for our lives. When people pursue obedience to the law, they manifest that they are regenerate, a point John makes in his first letter, and they manifest that they have true and living faith, as James discusses. Thus the law in the heart of a person born of God will restrain him from evil and point him in the direction of a life that will please God.

Thus, the law and the commandments do indeed define the nature of God. Regarding why I think the way I do about God’s law, I would only comment that my understanding and belief is informed by what God has said in His Word about His law, and there is indeed much. The reader may be referred to Psalm 19 as a good example!