The Whole Law

“You shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord.”  Leviticus 18:5

The absolute holiness of God is emphasized throughout the Book of Leviticus, and this is the standard for all those created in His image. This is made clear, beyond question, when today’s verse is quoted in the New Testament: “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.’  However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, ‘HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM’” (Galatians 3:11-12).

It is not enough that a man keep most of God’s laws. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10).  “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM” (Galatians 3:10).

It is obvious, therefore, that while “The Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12), no human being (except Jesus Christ) has ever been able to keep God’s perfect law, and all are therefore under God’s condemnation. “Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20).
   
The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to hell smug in their goodness. To keep the law, however, the Creator Himself had to become man, and He did fulfill the law as our representative before God. Then, when He died, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13). “The righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe” (Rom. 3:21-22).