p. 7 | The Law's Uses

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

The Law's Uses

A WRITER in The Western Recorder presents in a clear way a partial view of the purpose which the law of God serves. From his article we take this paragraph:—

Why, then, did God give us the ten commandments? What is the purpose of the law? Let God's Word tell us: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Rom. 3:19. Then the purpose of the law was not that we should get to heaven by keeping it,—no one has ever kept it,—but that it might show us our guilt, and, therefore, our need of a Redeemer. The thermometer is to discover the disease; not to cure it. The mirror is to reveal the dirt, not to remove it. Hence, God's conclusion: “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. To produce the knowledge of sin, then, is the distinctive purpose of the law. Then what? Then, “Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!”

This writer, however, failed to point out that there is the same need of the law, although for a different purpose, after accepting Christ and his righteousness, as before. The same law which first gives a knowledge of sin, witnesses to the genuineness of the righteousness of Christ as revealed in a life in harmony with the requirements of the law. We are not saved by keeping the ten commandments; but when we are saved by faith, the result is manifested in conduct in harmony with the ten commandments. “Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.”