The Relation of the Ministry of Christ to the Law of God
The ministry of Christ, our High Priest, in the heavenly sanctuary, has special reference to the law of God enshrined within the ark of the covenant in the most holy place. The purpose of Christ’s atoning work and his ministry is to take away sin, and “sin is the transgression of the law.” Not only is sin forgiven by virtue of the sacrifice made on the cross and pleaded in the heavenly sanctuary, but according to the new covenant promise, the law of God is to be written in the heart, that it may be revealed in the life. Thus the final aim of the priestly mediation of Christ is the restoration of the supremacy of the moral law. That the Bible exhibits the restoration of such supremacy is clearly set forth in the following extract:— “As central in the moral world, which is itself central in the material, the moral law holds the central place in the universal system. It is the law of laws. Characterized by the unbiased and unswerving uprightness, straightness, or equity of its dictates, it is known as the law of righteousness. Righteousness is simply rightness. In its ultimate analysis this law of rightness is love, the purest, highest, and most comprehensive of all principles. Its exclusions and inclusions embrace the entire realm of morality. Love worketh no ill. Love worketh all good. No more comprehensive moral principle can therefore exist. As applicable to all moral beings whatsoever, no higher or greater moral law than the law of love can be conceived. Universal justice and benevolence are included in its range, and eternal harmony in its results. Upon its fulfillment depends the union or unity of the moral universe. No sacrifice therefore of this principle can pass unchecked in a universe which deserves the name. Order and unity must prevail, or the system perish. “Revelation exhibits the restoration and establishment of the supremacy of the moral law. “Herein it crowns the system of nature with perfection and completeness. The law of subordination leads up, step by step, to the supremacy of the moral law. But though in the world system the moral law is supreme by right, it is not supreme in fact. Its rule is disregarded and overthrown. The Bible unfolds the plan, and traces the story of the restoration of its supremacy. The order followed in securing this result includes:— “1. The authoritative republication of the moral law. “2. The historic demonstration of its inability to produce the holiness it commands. “3. The shadowing and predicting of the mediatorial method by which God designed to accomplish the required restoration. “4. The perfect fulfillment of the moral law, and satisfaction of its righteous claims, by the Son of God in human nature. “5. The restoration of the supremacy of the moral law in the hearts and lives of his redeemed and renovated people, who ‘walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’” “The Bible is the story of a rebellion vanquished and subdued. It is the account of the victory of the divine goodness. In its conflict evil is overcome by good. The cross conquers. Love overcomes. The hand that holds the scepter was pierced on Calvary. The universe worships at the feet once fastened to the shameful tree. The anthem of its praise is, Worthy the Lamb! Through Jesus Christ all things are subjected to God. And when that subjection is complete, the Son himself shall give up the kingdom to the Father, ‘that God may be all in all.’” “Thus the natural and the spiritual form one system. One law of subordination reigns throughout. “1. Inorganic nature subserves the organized world. “2. In the vegetable kingdom inferior forms of life subserve superior forms. “3. The vegetable kingdom subserves the animal. “4. Lower animal races subserve the interests of higher. “5. The material world subserves the mental. “6. The physical subserves the moral. “7. In the realm of mind all is subordinated to moral law. “8. Moral law, though supreme in the world by right, is not supreme in fact. “9. Revelation exhibits the restoration and establishment of the supremacy of the moral law. “10. Revelation further traces the progressive subjection of ‘all things’ to Christ, by whom the moral law is established, and through Christ to God, for ‘he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.’” “The revealed system is thus in strict continuity with the natural, and rests on the immovable rock of man’s moral nature, and the indisputable facts of his history and condition. Conscience is indestructible. The moral law written in the human heart abides forever. The system which restores its supremacy is self-evidenced as divine.”—“Creation Centered in Christ,” H. Gratton Guinness, D. D., London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1896, pages 77, 82, 83.