Our Relationship to the Law

The praise of the saints in heaven is as follows in Revelation 5:10-11:
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Paul wrote many things about man’s relationship with the law in the book of Romans that has confused the church for many years. Even today, the debates on the New Perspectives on Paul bring that confusion into high relief. Reading Paul in the context of this passage brings light on Paul and the law.

In the old covenant, man was under the law and the law was administered by angels. However, since the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the law is administered in heaven by a man. Christ, the God-man, rules over all creation. And as this passage makes clear, he has caused us to rule with Him on the earth.

If we are to rule, we are now judges. How does a judge relate to the law? This is a question that many Americans will understand. Is a judge above the law? While some may answer yes, the proper answer is no. If a judge fails to maintain the law, he is not worthy of the law and should be impeached. If a judge will not keep the law, he shows the law not to be the law. For law exists to formalize the proper customs of a society. See William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Law of England.

Is a judge capable at all times to keep the law perfectly? Again, this is a question that Americans should understand. The answer is no. The American legal system is founded upon a principle of proper appellate courts and at the apex of that system is a Supreme Court. A trial judge may get a ruling wrong, but there is recourse to a higher appellate court and ultimately to the Supreme Court. The appellate court corrects and admonishes the trial court in his exercise of the law, and the trial court corrects his behavior accordingly. This is how we should act.

Christians have been called to rule with Christ on the earth, but they have not been called to rule as circuit riders with no superior authority. They have been called into Christ’s body, the Church. Ruling within Christ’s body is the only way in which the Christian may rule within a proper appellate system. When we sin, we are not rejected by God but admonished by our mother Church, Christ’s bride. We live our lives accordingly. Only by the Sabbath principle of six days labor and one day rest and worship and communion with God may we engage in this proper role.

Thank you, Ed.

Missouri Capitol Report
Representative Ed Emery
District 126
April 12, 2010
Vision for Life
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”
Ancient Hebrew proverb

Tuesday before Easter the Missouri House debated a major pro-life bill sponsored by Representatives Cynthia Davis and Bryan Pratt, HB 1327/2000. The bill passed overwhelmingly with 113 yes votes and only 37 voting no. The overwhelming vote followed lengthy and passionate debate – both for and against saving the lives of our most helpless and innocent. Some of you may have been watching or listening on that day which was Missouri Right to Life day at the Capitol.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, this nation has not recognized a right to life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness for the lives in the womb. For 190+ years in America, mothers found it unthinkable to deliberately kill their own child. It is against Natural Law and against conscience, which explains why it was only done in secret. Not even the animal kingdom is guilty of such savagery.

Since that tragic and deadly court decision, 50 million Americans including thousands of Missourians have been killed either in or as they exited the womb. I cannot think about those censured lives without wondering how many Albert Einsteins, Thomas Edisons, George Washington Carvers, Andrew Carnegies, Booker T. Washingtons, or Madame Curries have been killed in that 50 million? How many solutions for today were never born or will be delayed for decades even if abortion stops? Policies can transform culture and morals, and morals have consequences for future generations.

Mothers once had great visions for the future of their children – visions of greatness and success. However, the demise of the family structure has shifted perspective from generational to contemporary; from character to achievement; from legacy to consumption; from inheritance to indebtedness. We have become the “now” generation, which results from a lack of vision; “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

The Israelite king David described the absurdity of abortion when he explained certain governments of his day. He said they “…frame mischief by a law… and condemn the innocent blood.” One day (soon, I hope) America will come to its senses. In the meantime your legislature continues to legislate wherever we can to protect life and family. We must seek to remind young mothers of “…the laws of nature and of nature’s God…” We must help enlarge their vision for the important accomplishments of their yet-unborn children. Missouri can and must lead the way on behalf of future generations.

You may telephone me toll-free at (866) 410-8822. You may also email me at ed.emery@house.mo.gov . If you would like to receive the weekly Capitol Report by email, please send me your email address. Thank you for your interest in good government and a promising future in Missouri. Follow Me On Facebook