Divine Law by T. Godfrey

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 9, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 35.

Divine Law

By T. Godfrey

By T. Godfrey

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1-4.

THERE has been much said and written by eminent theologians, pro and con, concerning the law and its relation to the gospel, without arriving at any definite agreement or conclusion. But before we can become intelligent worshipers of the true God, we must become intelligent citizens of His moral government. The law of God as couched in the Ten Commandments is the organic law of God’s moral government, and is eternal and unchangeable in its nature, being a transcript of the righteous and unchangeable character of God. Mal. 3:6; Ps. 89:34. The transgression of this law is sin. 1 John 3:4. And the penalty for sin is death. Eze. 18:4, 20.

When man therefore transgressed the law of God, he came under the law, under condemnation, under the sentence of death. “For the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. Man in his fallen condition could not redeem himself. The law could not be abolished nor the penalty changed. For the law demanded the life of the transgressor. Now to satisfy the demands of the law, and to maintain the honor and integrity of the throne of God, God sent His Son into the world to die in man’s stead, that a way might be opened for the redemption of fallen man. This fountain of life was opened up through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, every soul that truly accepts Jesus Christ as his Substitute and personal Saviour, is no longer under condemnation; no longer under the dominion of sin (Rom. 6:6-8), no longer under sentence of death (Rom. 6:9, 10), but has passed from death unto life. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made” them “free from the law of sin and death.” They walk no longer after the flesh, to fulfil (obey) the lusts of the flesh, but walk after the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. “For what the law could not do [could not justify the transgressor], . . . God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled [obeyed] in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God.” Rom. 8:3-8.

Western, Washington.