The ROYAL LAW by F. C. Gilbert

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 20, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 24.

The ROYAL LAW

By F. C. Gilbert

BY F. C. GILBERT. (A Hebrew Christian.)

V. GOD'S PURPOSE WITH THE LAW.

By prophetic inspiration Isaiah was instructed to write these words: “The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isa. 42:21. The word “magnify” in the Hebrew, literally means to enlarge, to exalt, to make great, to extol. The same word and the same thought appear in Ps. 138:2: “For Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Thus it is seen that there is nothing greater or more exalted in the estimation of God than His law. It was this law that Jesus Christ came to enlarge and to extol (Matt. 5:17–19), as will be seen in a future article. The law of God through the ages had been depreciated. It was Satan’s purpose, by degrading the law, to lower the esteem of God’s character.

The Standard of Character.

Since man disobeyed his Maker and failed to comply with His wishes, he lost the ability of doing that which is right. Rom. 7:15–20. The standard of character which man was to reach was expressed in the law of Jehovah; and when man sinned and violated God’s law, it was impossible for him after that ever to do of himself that which was right. By yielding to sin, man became separated from God (Isa. 59:2); and nevermore could he have the ability to do that which pleased God. But God could in nowise lower the standard of righteousness, of character; for to do thus would be simply to accommodate His law and His government to the whims and caprices of disobedience. God is an unchangeable God. Mal. 3:6. His law is a perfect law. Ps. 19:7. His righteousness is a perfect righteousness. Isa. 51:6. His standard of character is a perfect standard. Therefore when man sinned it was absolutely impossible for God to change the law, or to deviate in the least from His original intention. The law as it was must still be the same. Even tho man did sin; even tho Satan did sin; even tho all the universe should depart from the principles of rectitude, God’s law and standard of righteousness and character must ever remain unchangeable. Ps. 90:2. If man is to be brought back to the favor of God again, a plan must be provided whereby this shall be made possible, and the divine law of Jehovah must stand immutable. This could not be otherwise, from what the Bible tells us of the

Nature of This Law.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Ps. 19:7.

“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142.

“My tongue shall speak of Thy word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:172.

“For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7:14.

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture.” James 2:8.

“The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure.” Ps. 111:7.

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12.

We thus see something of the attributes which God Himself declares are in His law. How could He change this law? How could He in any wise alter it to accommodate the different conditions of man? Ps. 89:34. If He could do it once, it could be done the second time, the third time, and so on indefinitely. Where, then, would be the standard of character for man or for the universe of God?

There is force and significance in the Saviour’s statement concerning the law: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18. The jot is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, generally known as the yoth. The tittle is a small point about as large as the dot of an “i”. Many Hebrew letters have these tittles or crowns, and among these letters which have them is the letter yoth or jot. The thought of the Saviour is practically this: Not the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, nor the smallest point on the smallest letter, can in any wise be changed from the law. This must be apparent to every one who considers the character of a righteous and a holy God.

God’s Law a Looking-Glass.

The divine purpose of the law, then, was ever to witness to the righteous character of a holy God, and to the requirements of God as set forth by His standard of righteousness and holiness. This thought is expressed forcibly by the apostle James when he compares God’s law to a looking-glass: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty.” James 1:23–25. The purpose of the mirror is to portray the condition of the individual. If the mirror is perfect it will give a perfect description of the individual beholding himself. If there are any spots or defects it will carefully portray them. If any part of the person’s attire is disarranged, or any part of the clothing soiled or out of place it will faithfully tell it. As long as the individual stands and looks at the mirror, so long will that glass tell the person his real condition. It is unable to remove a single spot. It is unable to change one condition. If the individual should feel awry because of the description the mirror has given of himself, and should cast the glass away, this would not change the condition of the individual. Should he secure another mirror it would tell the same tale; or should he not consult the mirror, the conditions would still be there. The mirror has done its work, and has done it well. If the individual wants the conditions changed, it must be from some other source which has power and ability to change the conditions. The mirror can not do it, and by injuring the glass the conditions will not be changed.

When, however, the individual has changed the conditions, and those defects or blemishes are removed, then that same mirror will as faithfully portray the bettered condition of the individual as it previously did the defects. It now says that the personnel is harmonious. The conditions are improved; the requirement is met. Thus the mirror is a faithful witness, bearing true testimony to the good or bad in the individual. Even so with the law of God. It is God’s great witness (Rom. 3:4), bearing evidence to the condition of the individual, whether good or bad; but faithfully and truthfully portraying the condition. It can not make the changes in the individual that are required. The individual will not be any better if he seeks to injure the law. The law is there, doing the work for which it was appointed, faithfully portraying the condition of each individual. It is God’s witness either to the righteousness or to the unrighteousness of the person.

When man had sinned, the law was identically the same as it was before he had sinned. It could not be raised to a higher standard; it could not be lowered to a lower standard. It condemned the man. A change must take place if man shall meet the approval of his Maker. This change, however, can not be in the law. The law must remain the same. And the law has remained the same; but, thank the Lord, a change was made, conditions were changed. These will be considered in our next article. “O how love I Thy law.” Ps. 119:97.

South Lancaster, Mass.