THE LAW IN THE GOSPEL PLAN.
By F. M. Burg
A very important fact, as shown by the apostle John (Rev. 14:12), is that a people will be developed under the sound of the “everlasting Gospel” in the last days, who will “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” The point to note in particular is the co-ordinate relation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This is not an incidental mention. The statement of this condition of things among the people of God at this time is especially significant in view of so much present-day teaching, in the name of the Gospel, that puts Jesus Christ at variance with the law which was given, amid such grandeur on Mount Sinai, as the rule of life for man. Very much of the so-called Gospel teaching of this time ostensibly exalts and lauds faith in Jesus Christ, while it not only evades the obligation of the Christian to obey the law of God, but absolutely disparages that holy code of precepts, and heaps contempt and stigma upon it. Such teaching as this is diametrically contrary to the Gospel of Christ; for man can not preach the true Gospel while he stands in antagonistic relation to the law of God, the Ten Commandments. Concerning the proper relation of Christ to the commandments proclaimed at Sinai, in the great Gospel plan, let it be remembered that it was Christ Himself, who proclaimed these “ten words” amid thunder and lightning and in terrible grandeur upon the mountain. A comparison of two texts of scripture will make this plain: In 1 Cor. 10:1–4, it is plainly stated that Christ went through the Red Sea with the people of God, and led them in their journey toward Canaan. With this fact in mind, read Neh. 9:11–14. The same One who led them through the sea was He who came down upon Mount Sinai and “spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, true laws, good statutes and commandments; and madest known unto them Thy [His] holy Sabbath.” Verses 13, 14. With this fact so clearly before us it must follow inevitably that any teaching which puts Jesus at variance with that holy law, the law which He Himself spoke with the voice of Deity upon the mount, is inconsistent with the Word of God. Attention is now called to a very important incident in connection with the speaking of the11law: When the law was spoken in thunder tones, and the mountain smoked and quaked, the people were terrified, and made an urgent request that God no longer speak with them, but that Moses, a man, should speak, lest they die. Ex. 20:18, 19. Concerning this request that the words be spoken by the voice of man rather than of the Deity, the Lord said it was “well spoken.” He said, “I will [in harmony with their request] raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, . . . and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him.” Deut. 18:15–18. All will agree that this promised Prophet, or Teacher for God, is the Man Jesus Christ, who was acknowledged by men to be a “Teacher sent from God,” and “who spake as never man spake.” Then the Man Christ fulfilled the request which the people made at the Mount, that a man speak the words which were being uttered by the voice of Deity; which voice caused them to fear and tremble. Therefore He came to teach as a man the same precepts which He had uttered in awful tones upon the holy mountain, and not to abrogate them, as is so often affirmed by men who purport to teach the Gospel. In the fore part of the wonderful Sermon on the Mount the great Teacher, evidently anticipating this anti-law as well as anti-Gospel teaching, uttered these plain and forceful words of caution: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 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.” Matt. 5:17–19. And, in harmony with this instruction, He exemplified the law in His life, and also by His teaching expanded and applied it to a more far-reaching degree than it ever had been before. As the prophet said: “He magnified the law and made it honorable.” Isa. 42:21. He said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34. Thus His life was one of obedience to the law of God; in which He is the example of those who claim to be His disciples. See John 15:10; Phil. 2:5–7; Heb. 5:7–9; 1 John 2:6. And in the “Revelation of Jesus Christ,” given to us through His beloved disciple John, He says, “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.” Rev. 22:14.