p. 8 | The Law of God by H. W. Cottrell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 28, 1913

The Law of God

By H. W. Cottrell

By H. W. Cottrell

The Eternity of the Law

THE immutable nature and moral character of the law of God, must Scripturally and logically determine its eternity. In a previous article, we demonstrated its character and its immutability.

Of the Author of the law, we read, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.” Isa. 57: 15. We read of His law, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7: 12.

Relative to the eternity of God's law, we read, “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” Ps. 111: 7, 8. It will be both interesting and profitable to the soul who is searching to know the way of the divine Christ more perfectly, to read both the prophetic and literal history of His life upon earth, and to study His utterances concerning the eternity of the law. “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the Book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Ps. 40: 7, 8. “I have kept My Father's commandments.” John 15: 10.

In His memorable Sermon on the Mount, our Lord said, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16: 17. That our divine Lord herein declares the eternity of the law, is evidenced from His unimpeachable language, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than . . . [for] the law to fail.” He quotes from the sixth and seventh commandments. Matt. 5: 21, 27, 28. A candid doubting Thomas is left no room for questioning in regard to the Saviour's meaning.

In that same memorable sermon, He makes further reference to the eternity of the law, as follows: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matt. 7: 12. In this utterance, our Lord totals the law's requirements of man, with his fellow men. Certainly, it is clear to every thinking mind, that the doing to others as one would be done by, required by the law — the last six commandments — will be obligatory upon man throughout both time and eternity. Thus, the Master taught the eternity of the law of God.

The eternity of the law is again determined by the prophetic utterance of Christ, when clothed upon in flesh. “Yea, Thy law is within My heart.” That which was within Christ's heart, (the law) is within His heart, and will eternally remain within the heart of our Redeemer; for He is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Heb. 13: 8. And that which was within His heart, was truly manifest in His earthly life. “I have kept My Father's commandments.”

The psalmist David once said, and he was a man with a personal, spiritual experience; “Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; and all Thy commandments are truth. Of old have I known from Thy testimonies, that Thou hast founded them forever.” Ps. 119: 151, 152, A.R.V. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.” —Jesus. The great Teacher reaffirmed the continuance of the law, and laid special emphasis upon the fourth commandment, as recorded: “Wherefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” Matt. 12: 12, A.R.V. It is self-evident that to do good on the Sabbath day, can not be truthfully said to be “lawful,” except the law exists.

Our heavenly Father declares in behalf of the eternity of both Himself and His law, He is unlike sinful men. He never changes, and His word can not be broken. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.”

In view of the fact that all men are face to face with eternal life through Christ, or eternal death through impenitence of a violated law, it is the privilege of every seeker after truth, to petition the Lord in the language of the man of God, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Ps. 119: 18.

[The last article in this series will appear next week and is entitled “The Law and the Gospel.”]