Is the Law Impossible to Keep?
The testimony of scripture often reflects God's understanding of human nature and the reasons behind their actions. In reformed theological circles, there's a belief that humans are inherently unable to keep God's laws perfectly due to their sinful nature. This perspective emphasizes human incapacity.
The Old Testament
In the Old Testament, there are several individuals who are described as righteous and blameless, implying a close adherence to God's laws. However, the concept of keeping the law "perfectly" is nuanced, as it often refers to a faithful and sincere attempt to follow God's commandments rather than absolute sinlessness. Some of the individuals mentioned, such as Noah, Abraham, and Job, lived before the Mosaic Law was given. Their righteousness and blamelessness are measured not by adherence to the Mosaic Law, but by their faithfulness and obedience to God’s commands as they understood them in their respective contexts. Here are some key examples:
Noah:
"Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God." (Genesis 6:9)
Noah is described as righteous and blameless in his generation. This indicates his faithfulness and integrity in following God’s commands, standing out in a corrupt and wicked society.
Noah lived long before the Mosaic Law was given. His righteousness is demonstrated through his obedience to God’s commands, such as building the ark. His blamelessness is seen in the context of his faithful relationship with God and his upright behavior in a corrupt generation.
Job:
"In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1)
"Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'" (Job 1:8)
Job is repeatedly described as blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Despite his later trials, his initial character is presented as exemplary in his adherence to God's ways.
Job is a somewhat unique case because the exact time and setting of his life are not specified in the Bible. However, he is generally considered to have lived before or outside the context of the Mosaic Law. Job's righteousness is highlighted by his fear of God and his avoidance of evil, reflecting his integrity and upright character.
Abraham:
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.'" (Genesis 17:1)
Abraham is called to walk faithfully and be blameless. While the narrative includes his failings, his overall relationship with God is marked by faith and obedience.
Abraham also lived before the Mosaic Law. His faithfulness is demonstrated through acts of obedience, such as his willingness to leave his homeland and his readiness to sacrifice Isaac. God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants was based on faith and obedience rather than adherence to a written law.
David:
"For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord’s commands all the days of his life—except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." (1 Kings 15:5)
David is commended for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord and keeping God's commands, with the notable exception of his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah. This highlights that while David was considered faithful, he was not without significant failings.
Hezekiah:
"He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses." (2 Kings 18:5-6)
King Hezekiah is noted for his trust in God and his adherence to the commandments, distinguishing him among the kings of Judah.
The Old Testament often uses terms like "blameless" and "righteous" to describe individuals who are devoutly faithful to God. These descriptions imply a sincere and wholehearted commitment to living according to God's laws, though not necessarily perfect, sinless adherence.
The New Testament
In the New Testament, a few individuals claim to have kept the law of Moses blamelessly or without fault. These claims provide insight into the Jewish understanding of the law and righteousness during that time. Here are the key figures:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus):
"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless." (Philippians 3:4-6)
Paul, writing to the Philippians, recounts his credentials as a devout Jew. He emphasizes that, according to the righteousness prescribed by the law, he was blameless. This claim highlights his strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and Pharisaic traditions before his conversion to Christianity.
Zacharias and Elizabeth:
"In the time of Herod king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly." (Luke 1:5-6)
Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, are described as righteous and blameless in observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees. This description suggests that they lived in a manner consistent with the expectations of the Mosaic Law and were considered righteous by God.
The Rich Young Ruler:
"A certain ruler asked him, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’' 'All these I have kept since I was a boy,' he said." (Matthew 19:16-20; Mark 10:17-20; Luke 18:18-21)
The rich young ruler claims to have kept all the commandments since his youth. Jesus responds by challenging him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, indicating that following the commandments alone is not enough for eternal life but must be accompanied by a heart fully devoted to God.
In the Jewish context, claiming to keep the law blamelessly meant adhering to the letter of the law and the traditions of the elders. It did not necessarily imply sinless perfection but rather a faithful and diligent observance of the commandments as understood within their community.
These claims reflect a broader understanding of righteousness in Second Temple Judaism, where righteousness was often equated with faithful adherence to the Torah. Individuals like Paul and the parents of John the Baptist were considered righteous because they followed the law to the best of their ability.
What is the Real Problem?
We have seen numerous examples of individuals who have claimed to be righteous and obedient to God and His commandments. This challenges the notion that humans are inherently incapable of keeping God's laws perfectly due to their sinful nature. It suggests that humans do possess the capacity to follow God's Law. So, why has Israel failed so many times, and why do Christians today continue to struggle with sin?
God says that the commandments are not too hard or difficult in Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Here is the passage:
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)
In this passage, God is assuring the Israelites that His commandments are accessible and achievable. They do not require extraordinary measures to understand or follow. The commandments are close to them, within their grasp, and they have the capability to obey them. This emphasizes that obedience to God’s law is within human reach and responsibility.
It's not too hard. This isn't too difficult. You can do it. So, what's the problem then? Deuteronomy 8 provides the answer. Why did I lead you through the wilderness and allow you to experience hunger, causing you to complain and sin against me and Moses? I did this so you would recognize the truth. It's not that you're incapable of obeying; it's that you don't want to obey me. The verse in Deuteronomy 8 that relates to God leading the Israelites through the wilderness to reveal their true intentions is Deuteronomy 8:2-3. Here is the passage:
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)
In these verses, God explains that the purpose of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness was to humble and test them, revealing what was in their hearts and whether they would keep His commands. The experiences of hunger and subsequent provision were meant to teach them dependence on God and to show that obedience to His word is essential for life. This passage underscores that the challenges faced by the Israelites were intended to demonstrate their willingness (or lack thereof) to obey God, rather than their ability to do so.
The key point being made is that the problem is not human incapacity but a lack of genuine willingness to follow God's laws. God's testimony against humanity is not that they are unable to follow the laws but that they choose not to. This lack of desire or will to follow God's commandments is the core issue.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we've seen that throughout scripture, the issue has never been human incapacity to follow God's laws but rather a lack of willingness to obey. God’s commandments, as stated in Deuteronomy, are not beyond our reach or impossible to follow. Many individuals in the Bible, from Noah to David, are described as righteous and blameless, proving that sincere obedience is achievable. Yet, time and time again, Israel—and humanity as a whole—has fallen short, not because they couldn’t follow God's commands, but because they chose not to. God tests our hearts, as He did with Israel in the wilderness, to reveal our true intentions. The core problem lies in our willingness to align ourselves with God's will and faithfully obey His commandments.