The Moral and Eternal Law
By A. C. Gilbert
General Nature of Law—Natural Law and Moral—All Such Law Points to a Source—It Is Beyond the Power of Man to Change It LAW, generically speaking, comprises a body of rules that govern, respectively, in the various activities in the universe. The multitudinous forms of life all about us are governed by certain principles commonly considered laws. The innumerable forms of action in the realms of art, science, mechanics, etc., are regulated by rules, or laws, that are inexorable. An Impassable Barrier of Laws
Though the mind of man is able to search deep into the mysteries of life, yet he is made fully conscious of the fact that the various classes of action, or life, are protected by an impassable barrier of laws—laws peculiar to each class. We have this illustrated in the first chapter of the book of Genesis. As the Lord progressed in the several steps of the work of creation,—the flora, the fauna, and man,—we find that each department of life is governed by certain specific laws of sequences or relations. This being true, we derive the principle that the kind of life or action determines the nature of, and denominates, for our understanding, the law which applies to that kind of life or action. To illustrate: In the realm of astronomy, we have astronomical law; in the realm of zoology and biology, we have physical law; in the realm of mechanics, we have mechanical law, or the laws of statics and dynamics; in the realm of commerce, we have commercial law; and in municipal affairs, we have municipal law. Laws must be laid down by competent authority. This authority must be superior to every condition, activity, and agent to be governed. As life itself, in all its classifications, is subject to unalterable laws, evidently the author of these laws must be the Author of life. For as we reason backward, step by step, from the humblest organization to and beyond the mightiest orderly arrangement known to man,—the planetary system,—we find that every code of laws within the range of human knowledge converges toward the throne of the Creator, and centers in Him who is the Fountain of life (Ps. 36:9), the Source of all law, the Upholder of all things. “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Neh. 9:6. See also Heb. 1:1-3; James 4:12; Isa. 33:22. In the study of God’s care for His creation, we find that He does not dispense various kinds of energy, or law, according to the various kinds of organisms to be governed; but He sends forth His mighty power throughout the universe, directing it to the different forms of life. These various forms of life give us such terms as “physical law,” “chemical law,” “mechanical law,” etc. Hence the forces or laws of nature are but different forms, or different applications, of one all-pervading power. See Ps. 19:1-8. Moral Law, and What It Signifies
An expression with which we all are acquainted is, “the moral law.” The word “moral” signifies conduct, behavior, mode of life, as regards right and wrong. All created beings endowed with the power of choice come within the scope of this definition. See Gen. 2:16, 17; John 6:66-68; Jude 6. Man is a complex being, having a physical nature as well as a moral nature. As he is a physical being, the laws that govern his physical nature are conveniently termed physical laws. As he is also a moral being, the laws that govern his moral nature are moral laws. In the exercise of his mind, man is constantly confronted with moral duties. In his association with his fellow men, he is daily compelled to exercise his moral functions of choice between right and wrong. Joshua 24:15; Rev. 22:17; John 3:16. The Ten Commandments a Perfect Law
In the study of the Ten Commandments, we find the principles of morality clearly defined. They apply to every duty and relation in life. They point out the attitude that every individual is to assume toward God and his fellow creatures. Ex. 20:1-17. The realm of moral duty as outlined in detail in the Ten Commandments, is summarized in the words of Christ to the lawyer: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt. 22:37-40. The ten moral precepts are termed, in the Bible, the law. Read Ex. 24:12. Seeing these precepts are the only laws, or principles, known to human experience as governing in the realm of moral nature, they are defined by man also as the moral law. Nevin’s “Biblical Antiquities” says this: “The moral law, summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments uttered from Mount Sinai, requires in all its precepts a spiritual obedience.” “The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments, which198were delivered by the voice of God upon Mount Sinai, and written by Him on two tables of stone.”—Presbyterian “Confession of Faith,” edition 1883. Christ Taught the Meaning of the Law
Christ Himself referred to the Ten Commandments when He spoke to the Jews about obedience to the law, and illustrated its purpose to regulate the inmost secrets of our moral nature. He said: “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 the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. . . . Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 5:17-28. The apostles also recognized the Ten Commandments as principles that govern the moral nature. See Rom. 7:6-12; James 2:8-12. The origin of the moral law dates from eternity. The natural laws classified above as physical, astronomical, mechanical, etc.,—laws with which men have to do, but cannot control,—had their origin, respectively, when the first physical entity was brought into existence, when the first heavenly body began its round in the realms of space, when the first mechanical contrivance was introduced. These laws, or these manifestations of the all-pervading governing power of God, became such when the existence to be governed was begotten. The creation of the first moral being was the occasion for the first operation of the first principle of the moral law, comprehended in the first four of the Ten Commandments, and summarized in the words of Christ, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matt. 22:37. When the second moral being was created, then was brought in a second kind of relationship. This relationship was governed by the second principle of the moral law, comprehended in the last six of the Ten Commandments, and epitomized in the words of Christ, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:39. Thus we see that the principle of love, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10), dates its origin from the eternal past. The enduring qualities of the moral law are measured by the length of the existence of the moral relationships that are to be governed. Throughout all the Bible, we find the eternal and unchangeable nature of God’s law revealed. The psalmist says: “Thy word is true from the beginning; and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” Ps. 119:160. “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8. Christ’s own words are: “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.” Matt. 5:17, 18. Thomas Scott, D. D., on Matt. 5:18, says: “As long as the world endured, not the least word, or letter, or point, or comma, so to speak, of the whole law, should by any means lose its authority, or fail of answering the end for which it was given; and the moral law would, to the end of time, continue the standard of sin and holiness to all men, and the believer’s rule of duty.” So long as there is need for a mechanical contrivance, so long there is need for mechanical law. So long as the science of astronomy remains, so long must there be laws to regulate the heavenly bodies. This principle will apply in our reasoning in regard to the binding obligation of the moral law, the Ten Commandments. So long as moral relationships and responsibilities exist between God and created beings, and between the created beings themselves, so long must exist the moral law to regulate these relationships and responsibilities. Or, in other words, so long as there is a moral nature, so long there must be a moral law to govern the realm of that moral nature. The Law Needs No Revision
The fact that there have been many mechanical failures is no evidence that mechanical law is a failure. While the shores of ages past are strewn with physical wrecks, it does not follow that physical law is a fiction. Though moral derelicts are met at every turn on the high seas of life, this is no proof that the moral law is a misfortune. Because men and women in all ages of the history of sin have failed to stand the test imposed by the moral law, shall we conclude that the test needs revision, or a substitution? All laws that are beyond the control of man are unchangeable, eternal, and perfect in their character, because they have their origin in an unchangeable, eternal, and perfect source. The moral law, therefore, is a perfect code of morals, ordained to regulate the moral standard of man. “Wherefore,” Paul says, “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. The Perfect Law of Liberty
The apostle James speaks of the nature of the law, and our relation to it, in the following words: “Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25. Martin Luther, in his “Shorter Catechism,” edition 1834, says this of the law: “Ques.—Are we under obligation to keep the moral law? “Ans.—Yes; because it is founded upon the nature of God, and it cannot be changed; it is of universal application, which was impossible with respect to the ceremonial and civil laws. Christ demands obedience to His law.” Our love to God includes obedience to all His Ten Commandments. Sin is the only thing in the universe that dissociates us from God, and causes us to disobey the principles of His perfect law. The moral law is the only instrument in the universe that can detect sin and define its nature. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 3:20. Therefore may the gentle Spirit of God lead our hearts in the way of truth, and make them submissive to the authority of Heaven’s sovereign law.