1. The Word "Law" In Its Various Shades of Meaning
The word "law" is often used to refer to different parts of God’s revelation of Himself. When we hear the word it is necessary that we discern its precise meaning in the context in which it is being used.
a. The word "law" is often used to refer to the Pentateuch or first five books of Moses (Luke 24:27). Moses in a very unique sense received and recorded the law of God (John 1:17).
b.The "law" at times seems to refer to the entire word of God (Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 19:7-10).
c. The word "law" is often used to designate the entire ceremonial system of worship given to Israel. This would include the tabernacle, priesthood, offerings, holy days, and dietary laws of the Old Testament (Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 9:22).
d. The civil laws to be observed by Israel were referred to as "law." Exodus 22-24 gives us an example of this part of the law.
e. The phrase "moral law" is often used to refer to the basic standards of right and wrong that stand in all ages. The ceremonial law could be done away with but the duty to love God is forever binding. The Ten Commandments are often referred to as the moral law although Bible students differ as to if the Sabbath command should be included in this.
f. To a degree this knowledge of right and wrong has been implanted by God in the human conscience (Romans 2:14-15). In a more profound sense the law is written in the hearts of those who are born again (Hebrews 8:10, Romans 7:22). They not only have a greater understanding of the laws' demands but they also love and desire to obey its precepts.

2. Implications Of The Law
The very existence of law has some far-reaching implications. Men seldom consider how much is proven by the very belief in right and wrong.
a. Belief in law requires belief in a lawgiver. To be consistent the atheist must refrain from any concept of moral absolutes. If there is no God there is no such thing as right and wrong. Murder and charity are nothing more than different forms of activity.
b. The moral laws of scripture reveal God's holy character. Law always reflects the nature of the lawgiver. Notice the impurity of laws made by wicked men or attributed to false gods.
The laws given in God’s word are perfectly holy. The fact that love fulfills the law reveals the perfection of God's nature (Romans 13:8, I John 4:8). Consider that the Golden Rule is simply a condensed statement of our duty toward others. Can we conceive of our Lord permitting abortion, gambling, or sexual impurity, as do our modern lawgivers?
c. If God's law is recognized then God must be viewed as our sovereign Creator. Who but the Almighty could have authority to declare what is right and what is wrong? Man's governments only have authority as God ordains (Romans 13:1). Civil government has no right to command disobedience to God (Acts 5:29).
d. Once admit the existence of right and wrong and the certainty of judgment is established. Laws are never mere suggestions. All law carries with it the threat of a penalty to those who break it. Sin is the transgression of God's law (I John 3:4) and carries a frightful penalty (Romans 6:23).
e. The existence of God's law proves the infinite nature of God. God's law revealed in scripture and in our own conscience condemns evil actions, words, and thoughts. Only an all-knowing God could make laws that bind the very words and secret thoughts of men and angels. Only an all-powerful God could bring every offender to justice. Because He is everywhere present none can escape His judgment (Psalm 139, Acts 17:31).
This discussion could be greatly extended but this should suffice to prove the utter foolishness of atheism or the danger of worshipping false gods. To do so is to either deny or corrupt the law that governs men.

3. Attributes Of God's Law
Many codes of law have been formed by man to govern society. There are things however that may be said of God's law that are not true of these.
a.Perfect Purity- Men's imperfections and limitations will be reflected in their laws. The only perfectly holy system of law is God's (Psalm 19:8).
b. Spiritual- Men's laws control the conduct and to a degree the words of society. Only God's law judges the heart. What human government could make the Sermon on the Mount part of their legal system (Notice Matthew 5:28, 43-44). This sermon however only expounds the true spirituality of God's law.
c. Broad- Human governments are always making new laws to cover unforeseen situations. God's law never needs additions. It covers every duty of man in its principles and precepts (Psalm 119:96).
d. Unity- One can break one of man's laws yet be law abiding in other areas. Such is not the case with God's law (James 2:10). This is because love is the foundation of all (Romans 13:8-10). To sin in any area is to fail in love, which is the foundation of God's entire law.

4. The Nature Of The Decalogue
The Ten Commandments are often referred to as the "decalogue" or ten words. In order to understand the Ten Commandments we need to consider several matters:
a. The decalogue is divided into two tables. The first four commandments deal with our duties toward God (Exodus 20:1-11). These are summed up in scripture by the first great commandment (Matthew 22:35-38). The last six commandments deal with our duty toward men. These are summed up in the second great commandment. This proves the doctrine of Paul in Romans 13:8-10.
b. Each of the Ten Commandments gives only the chief duty in a class of duties. This mentioning of a part as representative of the whole is called "Synecdoche." For instance the command "Thou shalt not kill" forbids us to harm or even desire to harm our neighbor in any way (I John 3:15, Matthew 5:21-22). In fact the opposite duty is included and implied. The words "Thou shalt not steal" include the duty to protect our neighbor's property from harm or loss when it is within our power (Exodus 23:4).
c. The laws of God forbid that which would incite or give occasion to sin (Compare Exodus 20:14 with I Corinthians 7:1-2).

5. The Purpose Of The Law
The law was never given to save the soul. What then is its purpose?
a. The law gives us a wonderful revelation of God's holiness, power, and greatness.
b. The law is used to reveal to men their sinful state and need of Christ (Romans 3:19-20, Romans 7:9). Those who measure themselves by God's perfect standard see how far short they fall. Such come to understand the need of receiving a perfect righteousness imputed to them by faith in Christ. Preachers of by gone days referred to the law as the needle that made way for the thread of the gospel. Like a plow it breaks up man's self-righteous heart so that the gospel seed may take root.
c. The law gives us a rule of Christian conduct. Saints are not under the law as a means of obtaining justification in God's sight (Romans 10:4) yet it reveals to them what God wants for their life (Ephesians 6:1-3, I John 5:21 etc).
d. The law will judge men at the last day. Even those who have never seen a Bible often reveal in their judgment of others the extent to which God's law is revealed in their hearts (Romans 2:14-15).

6. Christ Jesus And The Law
a. The Lord Jesus Christ as our representative was born under the law and perfectly fulfilled each of its demands (Galatians 4:4, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 5:17).
b. When Christ Jesus died on the cross He was suffering for the sins of His people. He paid the debt due to those who break God's law (Romans 6:23).
c.Those who trust in Christ have His righteousness imputed to them (Romans 3:20-22, II Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9). They are therefore free from the curse of the law and stand justified in God's sight.