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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

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DOES THE LAW OF GOD DEMAND OBEDIENCE?

By A. K. CROSBY.

How simple the language in which is enjoined our duty to keep holy the Sabbath day. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” “The seventh day is the Sabbath.” Who can fail to understand it? What untutored peasant cannot comprehend it? What child does not perceive its meaning? The command to refrain from the adoration of idols is not more plain.
Was the law of God abolished by the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Says he: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfill; for verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. v, 17–19. Christ had said that not one jot or one tittle should pass from the law till all be fulfilled, so that there could be no excuse for those who teach that a part of the law has been destroyed, and that the remainder is yet in force.
But Christ did not leave the subject thus. He now tells us what shall be the fate of those who violate the least of the commandments. Those who select nine of them, and omit one which they think not worth their notice, are the very persons that Christ here reproves. The fourth commandment has long been trodden down, but under the last message of mercy to men, the people of God are seen keeping all his commandments, and the faith, or testimony, of Jesus Christ. God is unchangeable, the same yesterday, to-day and forever. The law of God demands perfect obedience. We should make full preparation, and rest “according to the commandment.”
The Bible is the light of my understanding, the joy of my heart, the fullness of my hope and thoughts, the consoler of my sorrows, the guide of my soul through this world. Every promise in it invites me to Heaven, every precept commands, every exhortation urges thither, every warning alarms against the danger of its eternal loss. Oh! for faith to give a substance to the unseen realities of the heavenly Jerusalem. How mean are all the objects of human ambition compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. We could dwell on the grandeur, and beauty, and bliss of the happy state, till we could sing with the Psalmist, Oh! that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. May grace fit us for the glory, for the Lord giveth grace, and he giveth glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. The gospel still invites sinners to come to Christ, its offers are frank and free. Let none fear, let none hesitate. Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely. Blessed Saviour, give us hearts to accept of thy gracious invitation; then shall we gladly welcome thy coming, and say from the depths of our hearts, Even so, come Lord Jesus.
A. K. CROSBY.
Oakland Co., Mich.