The End of the Law by A. S. Hutchins

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 4, 1877

The End of the Law.

By A. S. Hutchins

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Rom. 10:4. The consequences suspended upon a correct view of the nature and perpetuity of the law of God, are of too great magnitude to treat this important subject with indifference. For with a scriptural view of the law, we receive a clearer, more correct, and intelligent view of the plan of salvation as revealed through the gospel, and also gain a far better understanding of the obligations resting upon us while seeking redemption from sin.

From the above text, some hastily conclude that believers are under no obligation to render obedience to the law. With triumph, and seeming joy, is the text called forth to justify the non observance of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.

Now if Christ is the end of the law in the sense that Christians are released from all obligations to respect and obey it, when did this event occur? Assertion should not be substituted for proof on this point.

Sin was introduced through the fall of man; and we read, “Sin is the transgression of the law.” Immediately following this great transgression God made promise of his Son, an atoning sacrifice for sin; a “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” And here we raise the question: If in the introduction of the system of salvation, a system adapted to the wants and woes of the fallen family in all their varied conditions, God contemplated the time when men could and would be saved without respecting and obeying his law, why was not this the very point of time chosen to reveal to man that henceforth the law of God had no claims upon him?

Why not say to man when sin was, in its infancy, when man had just fallen, and while the rays of light respecting the plan of salvation were faintly reflected upon the mind through types and shadows, As you have failed to reverence and keep my law, I now make known unto you the way of salvation through faith alone.” Why require obedience to the law for four thousand years, and when we enter the full blaze of gospel light release men from this obedience.

The law was ordained to life. Through perfect obedience to it, man might have lived without the great Sacrifice for sin. And how this sacrifice could supplant the claims of a holy, just, and good law, is not well demonstrated. Again, in language clear and unmistakable are the perpetuity and the claims of this law taught through the New Testament scriptures.

Christ did not come to destroy the law, nor to relax its claims. If he had, the most appropriate time to state such a fact would have been in his memorable sermon upon the mount. But in this sermon he gives the following instruction: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

The word rendered fulfill in this verse, is the same as in Col. 1:25, where the apostle says: “Wherefore I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.” A clear sense is derived from the meaning of the last clause of this verse from the marginal reading which is “fully to preach the word of God.” And this rendering is justified by Adam Clark in his comments on Matt. 5:17. If this view be correct, then Christ here declares that he came to fully preach the law, and this is just what he and his apostles everywhere did do.

Men talk confidently of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and of sanctification, without obedience to the law of God. Faith in Christ, they claim, is going to save them. Now this is entirely the reverse of what the apostolic church believed and taught. Says the apostle: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Rom. 3:31.

James holds up this great rule of right as the rule of judgment, as do Solomon and Paul. Please read Eccl. 12:13, 14; Rom. 2:12. Says James: “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” In the last message of mercy to man (Rev. 14:12) we find the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And the last reference to these commandments in the book of Revelation, pronounces this blessing: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Chap. 22:14. With these, and other scriptures directly testifying to the perpetuity of the law of God under this dispensation, it is fallacious in the highest degree to teach or believe otherwise.

“In what sense then is Christ the end of the law for righteousness to the believer? The use and definition of the word end will aid in the settlement of this question.”

“Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.” James 5:10. “Now the end of the commandment is charity.” 1 Tim. 1:5. No one can doubt but that end here means design, ultimate object. The Greek word, telos, here rendered end is the same as in Rom. 10:4.

Greenfield in his Greek Lexicon gives the following as one definition of this word: “scope, object, principal point.” And among other definitions of end Webster gives “ultimate object, design.” Had not man fallen, the sentence of death would not have been passed upon him, he would not have lost favor and communion with his Maker. Obedience to the law of God would have saved this heavy and world-wide curse.

There is but one source through which man can regain that which was lost by sin. “In this was manifest the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.” I John 4:9. And here we behold the Lamb of God, the object or design of the law to the believer.

“By sin we are exposed to wrath— He died for us that he might draw Our wandering feet from virtuous path, Where we may keep God’s holy law.” A. S. HUTCHINS.