The Mind of Christ – Interpreting the Law of God (49)

The Mind of Christ

Interpreting the Law of God (49)

Interpreting God’s Law requires the mind of Christ.

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

Let’s sum up what we can learn about interpreting the Law of God from the situation involving the excommunicated man in the Church at Corinth.

First, the Law’s essential principle of holiness, righteousness, and goodness (Rom. 7:12) continues to this day. When sin is in evidence, we must look to the Law to guide us in overcoming the evil of sin with good and just actions of love and restoration.

Second, where situations before us have a direct parallel in the Law of God, the determination of the Law continues to be valid, although the judgment the Law requires may not directly apply. We must remember the limits that have been imposed on the Church and its rulers as they seek the Kingdom of God together wielding the sword of the Spirit—the Spirit of life, forgiveness, restoration, and hope. And we must submit to the Spirit’s transforming power, waiting on Him to do what only He can do to restore justice.

At the same time, we must seek additional counsel from the Law, and other portions of Scripture, to help us discern, beyond the letter of the Law, what the Spirit may be guiding us to do in the light of His peculiar mission and interests. Then we must call upon all those concerned with the situation to take actions appropriate to the reclamation of sinners, the edification of the Body of Christ, and the honor and glory of God.

When sin is evident—especially sin that even unbelievers condemn—God’s people must not do nothing. We are called to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1), and this surely entails discovering the best ways of gaining the holy benefits of God’s Law to restore love for God and neighbors.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.