An Introduction to God's Heavenly Law (Part 2)

Introduction:

Whenever parties wish to contractually formulate an agreement, it is important to establish the intent of the parties and secondary issues such as a relevant choice of law clause involving litigation, arbitration and the venue (seat).

Intent of parties:

Should we consider the covenant between God and us, the intent is surely that God wishes to give us the gift of eternal life, and our desire should be to obtain this gift by believing in God and in His Son.

When Jesus answered Nicodemus’ questions in John 3, this theme relating to contractual intentions was declared as follows: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (vs16-17)

Having established the intention of the parties, it is interesting to note that our fleshly nature threatens the existence of the contract. In other words, our inability to do God’s will causes a breach of contract: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

Settling a dispute:

It is therefore clear that despite our intention to enter into a covenant relationship with God, a breach will certainly follow. What we now need to consider is our choice of law to remedy such a breach, i.e. whether we agree to use litigation (legal action) or arbitration (mediation or intercession).

Certainly none of us will opt to choose litigation, for the law offers us nothing but the curse of death. In other words, should we decide to take the matter to a judge, the result of the case will find us guilty and a death sentence will be issued.

However, should we ask that our case be handled by an arbitrator who was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), then we are assured that the breach will be reconciled and the contract will remain until the promise is delivered (1 John 2:25).

A comparison between different choices of law clauses reveals the following:

  Litigation: Arbitration:
 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:10-11) “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
 
To qualify for arbitration, we have to have a personal relationship with the arbitrator, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.

What this verse suggests, to my mind, is that there are huge benefits if we elect the Lord Jesus Christ as our arbitrator. To assist us in making the right choice, the Lord Jesus said the following: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

Choice of law: Venue or seat

It is clear that every disciple of Christ will have to face the arbitrator at His return: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

However, in 1 Thessalonians 4 those who have elected Christ as their arbitrator are given the following words of comfort (verse 18), and in verses 16 to 17: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The ‘dead in Christ’ and those who are alive and remain (which we also assume are in Christ) will therefore be taken in the clouds to face their arbitrator. In other words, it seems that we are not given the specific address of the venue for those involved in the first resurrection.

Can it then be assumed that our seat of judgment prior to the 1000 years is different to the seat of judgment after the 1000 years, i.e. when the books are opened and the dead and those alive are judged according to their works while the King sits on the great white throne (Revelation 20:11-12)?

These are certainly interesting questions which may or may not have clear-cut answers. The important point, though, is for us to be thankful that arbitration is better than litigation, and to voice our thanks as God gave His only begotten Son, as an arbitrator – so that the elect may not perish.

Conclusion:

By choosing arbitration as a method to settle possible spiritual disputes, does it mean we are not judged at all? I don’t think so, as we are clearly told that while the covenant/contract is in force, we need to judge ourselves to establish whether we are in breach or not (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).

By judging ourselves we allow our arbitrator to apply arbitration when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God. No wonder we are told that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

Like the nation of Israel, we too are a covenanted people. But unlike the Jews of the Old Testament, we are spiritual Jews of the New Testament, and we have all chosen to change our choice of law clause from litigation to arbitration. It is a contractual amendment possible only by the blood of Christ, and we praise God for this new regime which declares that “.…Jesus (is) the mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrews 12:24)

As we look to the heavens for our arbitrator to return we do so “…through the Spirit, wait(ing) for the hope of righteousness by faith”. (Galatians 5:5)

(To be continued).

Bro Ronnie van Rooyen.(South Africa)


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