The major event of the Day 2 of Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) Conference, holding in Port Harcourt, will be the unveiling and launching of Sound Counsel.
THE PRESIDENT’S NOTE.
Praise the LORD Jesus for another invaluable opportunity to gather like this. As we know, our theme for this conference is “The LORD Our Lawgiver” from Isaiah 3 3: 2 2 .
“Lawgiver” is a combination of two words: law and giver. The expression “lawgiver” occurs in the King James Version of the Bible seven times. One cannot but be awed by the progressive revelation in the use of the expression: a lawgiver (Gen. 49:10; the lawgiver (Num. 21:18, Duet. 33:21); my lawgiver (Ps. 60:7, Ps. 108:8); our lawgiver (Isa. 33:22); one lawgiver (Jas. 4:12).
Throughout Scripture, we see the manifestation of God as Lawgiver.
In keeping with the principle of Separation of Powers, when talking about a lawgiver, it is natural to think about the legislature since their traditional role is to make law.
However, preaching a sermon before George I in 1717, Bishop Benjamin Hoadly warned, “Whoever has an absolute Authority to interpret any written, or spoken Laws; it is He, who is truly the Law-giver, to all Intents and Purposes; and not the Person who first wrote, or spoke them.”
The beauty and supremacy of the LORD our Lawgiver is that He operates both as the writer and the interpreter of the law of righteousness. 
Hence, while Bishop Hoadly’s perception elevates the status of the Judiciary in the separation of powers scheme, an idea which most modern Constitutions affirm with the power of judicial review and constitutional interpretation assigned to the courts, human judges must recognize the supremacy of God whose decision is final because He is infallible.
It is particularly pertinent to mention this in the face of the trend of judicial decisions which question the authority of the Bible, and claims and beliefs founded thereon especially in the Western world.
As the Alpha and the head of our own government in this Kingdom, God knows the value of Law and being the Summum Bonum (the highest/greatest good), He worked out a working system by giving us Laws which are necessary to govern our lives as Christians and to guide us in His will and direction. What is the law?
It is common knowledge among lawyers that the definition of law has engaged the attention of many jurists and philosophers but a universally accepted definition has not been attained.
For the purpose of our discourse, our resounding theme is the Biblical context where law is seen as God’s word – His precept for living, His commandment. In other words, God’s Word is the law and God is the Lawgiver. For example, our Lawgiver through His Word, inter alia:
1. Reveals Moral Standards for Christian Living: Just as lawmakers establish regulations to foster social order and harmony, God’s laws serve as guiding principles for righteous living. The Ten Commandments, for instance, offer a moral foundation for individuals, families, and communities (Exodus 20:1-17).
It is interesting to note that every law on earth today, is an offshoot from the Ten Commandments originally written by God Himself. The commandments, also known as the Aseret HaDibrot (“Ten Saying” in Hebrew) or Decalogue, were part of the first Ten (10) of the 613 commandments given by God to the Jewish people which formed part of the foundation of the Jewish ethics, as well as civil and religious law.
God’s laws reflect His character and wisdom, establishing boundaries that promote justice, fairness, and respect towards one another.
They encompass various aspects of life, including relationships, honesty, justice, and righteousness. As lawyers, we possess the privilege and responsibility to champion justice and righteousness, aligning our legal practice with God’s laws and principles.
2. Reveals God’s Authority and Sovereignty:
In every legal system, there exists an ultimate authority, such as a constitution or governing body, to which laws are subject.
Likewise, God, as our Lawgiver, is the supreme authority who rules over all creation with sovereignty (Psalm 47:7).
His authority surpasses any earthly jurisdiction, and as Christian lawyers, we acknowledge that our allegiance to God’s law supersedes conflicting human laws or regulations. We are called to uphold justice and righteousness, even when it contradicts prevailing societal norms, advocating for fairness and equality in accordance with God’s principles.
3. Guides our approach towards.
Human Laws:
While human laws are formulated and revised by lawmakers, God’s laws are eternal and unchanging. As Christian lawyers, we must recognize and respect the legal systems in which we operate, but we also understand the importance of subjecting all ideas to God’s Word and aligning our practices with God’s eternal principles. God’s laws are transcendent and provide a moral compass that guides us in our legal practice.
It offers insight and wisdom that can inform our interpretation and application of human laws, ensuring our pursuit of justice aligns with God’s righteous standards.
In conclusion, Isaiah 33:22 highlights the multifaceted role of the LORD in our lives, including Him as our judge, lawgiver, and king. Understanding God as our lawgiver enables us, as Christian lawyers, to appreciate His role in establishing moral standards, offering guidance through His commandments, and promoting justice and righteousness through us.
Aligning our legal practice with God’s laws and principles allows us to advocate for fairness, equality, and justice while honouring the ultimate authority of our divine lawgiver.
As we seek to stand out professionally as Christian lawyers, we must live with the consciousness that we have a mandate to manifest a new legal profession anchored on Christ!
Ultimately, we must all walk in love. Jesus, our Lawgiver said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you also love one another; as I have loved you, also love one another” John 13:34. In this declaration we have the instruction to love one another passed to the followers of Jesus as well as the standard by which that love is to be measured: as Christ has loved His own!
May God bless His word in our hearts, so that we continue to walk along the path He has ordained for us.
