The Law of God by H. W. Cottrell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 4, 1913

The Law of God

By H. W. Cottrell

The Law and the Gospel

THE gospel of Jesus Christ was given to substantiate the perfect character, immutability, and eternity of the law of God; and to redeem sinful man from its transgression. Could the character of the perfect law have been changed, and the immutability of the law made void, then the eternity of the law of the Eternal might have been limited to time, and the Son of God would not need have given His life for the redemption of a sinful race, for there would have been no sin.

God can not deny Himself; He can not therefore alter perfection, for to do so would be to deny His character. He could not destroy or deface His law, which is perfect, and which does perfect work in pointing out the imperfections—sin—in character.

Because our Father could not deny Himself by changing or abolishing heaven’s constitution after it had been violated, He verified to the universe the eternity of the law by the gift of His own life, in the person of His beloved Son, to free penitent sinners from its transgression; that the character of the law, and the justice and mercy of God, might be demonstrated even to sinful man. For “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5: 8. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.

“God Is Love”

Love is composed of two attributes: justice and mercy. God has extended mercy to man, withholding justice, ever since His law was first violated—sin entered our world. Had God meted out justice to sinners, instead of mercy, death would have been the portion of all men; “for all have sinned”—transgressed His law.

The law and the gospel are inseparably woven together in the work of the redemption of sinners, “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” “For we know that the law is spiritual.” Rom. 7: 13, 14. But that which the law could not effect through sin-weakened 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: 3, 4.

The Gospel

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1: 16. The law calls its transgressor a sinner; the gospel calls the sinner to repentance. The law points out the sin, and the gospel points the sinner to Christ—the fountain for cleansing. “In that day there shall be a fountain opened . . . for sin and for uncleanness.” Zech. 13: 1. We further read of Christ, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4: 12. As a mirror points out the smirch on the face, but is powerless to remove it, and the water cleanses it away; so the law points out sin from the least to the greatest, and the gospel points the sinner to Christ, who cleanses it away. “And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7.

The apostle Paul was aware in his day of the long reign of sin, and knew of its growing popularity. He foresaw that some men would even dare to declare null and void the divine instrument that points out sin; so for our benefit he queried, “Do we then make void the law through faith?” and answered, “God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Rom. 3: 31. Paul gives assurance that true Christians will stand in defense of the law of God, and that their faith in the gospel tends only to establish it—the law. The law and the gospel are coöperative agencies in the plan of our Lord for the guidance and redemption of sinful humanity. The law points out sin in men, and Jesus and the gospel condemn it in the flesh. “God sending His own Son . . . condemned sin in the flesh.” Rom. 8: 3.

Men are granted no sinful indulgences either by the law, the gospel, or the Christ.

The Attribute of Justice

From the view of the righteous character of our Father, He will never cease waging His warfare against sin, until it is erased from His fair universe; so those who will not accept His long-proffered mercy—release from cherished sins—must meet God face to face as He sits on His throne in justice. “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2: 12. “And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; . . . and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.” Isa. 28: 17, A.R.V.

The law is eternal. Its transgression introduced sin. The gospel was ordained, through which to erase sin. Sin still exists in the world, hence the gospel and law continue to exist. Were there no law to-day, there would be no sin to-day, and no need of the gospel. The law, transgressed, brings condemnation. The gospel, received, is justification. The law and the gospel in Christ, obeyed by the justified one, is sanctification. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17: 17. “Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119: 142. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14: 6.