THE LAW DEMANDS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
By H. W. Reed
God is holy, and his law is holy. “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. To what alone, then, can this holy law witness?—To that alone which it is, and which it demands; namely, righteousness and holiness. Has anyone ever met the demands of this righteous law?—Yes, One, the Lord our Righteousness. As this righteous law demands the observance of the seventh day, and as Christ met this demand by a perfect obedience, his righteousness on this point is witnessed to by the righteous law. Then if we observe this day, we may claim Christ’s righteousness on this point. If we do not allow Christ to impute unto us that righteousness which the law demands, and to which only it can witness, then do we not appear in our own righteousness, which is unrighteousness? It can be clearly seen that a righteous law can not witness to that which it does not demand, much less to that which is expressly contrary to its demands; as, for instance, Sunday observance. Sunday observance is not demanded by this righteous law; and when performed by any one, this law can not say, “You have done right; you have done as I told you. Therefore I witness that you have done as I require. I certify that you are right, or righteous.” No; the law can witness alone to what it actually demands. It is impossible for it to witness to anything else. As this is so, let us be sure to discard everything not demanded by this righteous law. This is the only safe way. Let all who profess faith in Christ lay off the filthy rags of unrighteousness, and put on the wedding garment of Christ’s righteousness, that they may be accepted as guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb.