Moral law, as it originates in the eternal and holy nature of God, and as it relates to the nature of creation in its various moral estates, is the foundation for all other categories we speak of in connection with law. It is common to divide the law into three categories: moral, ceremonial and judicial (civil).<br><br>These are the categories used in the Westminster Confession as well as in many other historic statements of faith. It should not be assumed that these represent three independent and separable types of law. If moral law is the principal base of all ethics and reflects the holiness of the Creator, then we should presume that the other categories are designated to show how it applies in creation from various considerations. The ceremonial laws were instituted to reveal the redemptive work of Christ in restoring fallen men to a right standing under the moral law, and the judicial is exemplary of how moral law ought to have governed Israel.<br><br>Some have taken certain passages concerning the law and confused some issues. Either they degrade the whole of God's law by eliminating things that were not abrogated, or they retain fulfilled aspects of the law which would deny the full satisfaction by the Savior of what they depicted. Example:<br><br><blockquote>[color:blue]Romans 10:4 For Christ is the [color:red][i]end</font color=red> of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. </font color=blue>[/i]</blockquote> If Jesus did not come to abolish the law (Matthew 5:17), then what does Paul mean when he said that Jesus Christ is the [color:red]end</font color=red> of the law? Does Paul take a different view than Jesus himself? Does he somehow understand that the coming of Christ has canceled the moral requirements of the moral commandments summarized for us on Mt. Sinai? that in some way sin is no longer to be defined by the law of God? Absolutely not! <br><br>While Jesus used the word (plaerosai) meaning that he came to [color:red]fulfill</font color=red> the law, Paul uses another word. He says that Jesus, in his accomplishing his work or redemption, has become the (telos) of the law. He is the [color:red]end</font color=red> of the law. <br><br>The concept of [color:red]fulfilling</font color=red> means to bring something to its full measure. Being the [color:red]end</font color=red> of the law means to bring it to its goal, to its intended end product. <br><br>This same word (telos) is used by Peter in his discussion of saving faith. <br><br>[color:blue]1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the [color:red][i]end</font color=red> (telos) of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.</font color=blue>[/i] <br><br>Certainly Peter did not mean that the salvation of our souls comes by eliminating our faith. That meaning of the word [color:red]end</font color=red> would be completely out of place. The translators rightly have used the word [color:red]end</font color=red> (outcome) to show that faith, when brought to its full work in us, is God's means of salvation. Salvation is what faith issues as its fruit in us. It is the goal of our belief in the promise of the gospel. <br><br>Jesus is no more the eliminating of the law, that our salvation comes by the eliminating of our faith. That is simply not the meaning of the word used here. Jesus may be said to be the outcome of the law. He is that toward which the law was directing us who love and obey it. He is the goal of the law. <br><br>The law shows our sin and failure to have righteousness on our own. It shows us how Jesus lived a holy life in our place. It convicts the regenerate soul and drives it to the Savior. <br><br>Jesus used this same word on the Cross. John records how Jesus completed the work the Father had given him. He had reached the goal of the promise of the covenant of redemption. <br><br>[color:blue]John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is [color:red][i]finished</font color=red>: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. </font color=blue>[/i]<br><br>The word used by Jesus for finished is (tetelestai), from this same word (telos). Jesus was indicating not that its over. But that the work he came to do was finished, completed, consummated. <br><br>The writer of Hebrews uses the same work of the completion of our salvation in Christ in Hebrews 6:1 and 10:14. Jesus is the perfection of the law. He is its goal and end product. As Savior he accomplished what the law promised and made it possible that redeemed sinners would be enabled to live obediently with the glory of God as their true motivation. <br><br>Romans 10:4 carries this same meaning. Jesus is not the cancellation of the law, he is not its cessation. He is its completion, its goal, its consummate ennoblement, its perfecter. By his completed work he brings righteousness to all who believe. The law is exalted by Paul. It is in no way degraded. <br><br>Conclusions about the moral law: <br><br><ul>1. Its necessity: Moral principles derive from the nature of the Creator. Therefore it is not possible for these principles to be unimportant or optional in a creation intended to declare the Creator's glory, eternal power and divine nature. <br><br>2. Its perpetuity: Since the nature of God is eternal and unchangeable, so also must the moral principles of his creation be perpetually binding. <br><br>3. Is revelation: Since God made all of Creation to declare his glory, which includes his holiness and justice, therefore God makes known his moral principles obligating all moral creatures to obey them perfectly and personally.[/LIST] To honor God, and to live at peace with his creation (including other humans) requires that the revealed moral law should be obeyed. (GRIS)

Reformed and Always Reforming,