A Weighty Matter by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 13.

A Weighty Matter.

By Editor

A LETTER from Missouri, written by one who is a stranger to us, contains the following:—

“‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father.’ What is the will of the Father? J. A. C.”

The quotation is from Matt. 7:21. In John 6:39, 40, Jesus said it was the Father’s will that he should lose nothing of all that had been given him, and, that all that believe on him may have eternal life. But this cannot afford any answer to the question. The Scriptures do, however, afford a very definite answer. And,

1. We will notice the connection. The subject introduced in verse 21 is carried out in verses 22, 23. First, some who say, Lord, Lord, cannot enter the kingdom because they do not the will of the Father. Secondly, though they may cry, Lord, Lord, and profess very strong faith in Christ, they are rejected because they work iniquity. The obvious teaching of these declarations is that doing the will of the Father stands contrasted with working iniquity. We must, therefore, examine this word, iniquity.

The word from which iniquity is translated is anomian. The Diaglott gives its equivalent, “lawlessness.” Greenfield defines it, “violation of law.” Robinson, “lawlessness, violation of law.” Liddell & Scott, “(a, priv., nomos), without law, lawless, impious.” Which is to say, the prefix alpha signifies without, nomos, law. Barnes says: “It properly signifies lawlessness, in the sense that the requirements of the law are not conformed to or complied with.” Of the two words used in 1 John 3:4, he says: “He who doeth sin (hamartian) doeth also transgression” (anomos). Sin is the generic term embracing all that would be wrong. The word transgression (anomos) is a specific term, showing where the wrong lay, to wit, in violating the law.” There is no room for question that the Saviour taught in this passage that, however strongly people may profess faith in him, they will be rejected if they do not the will of the Father, that is, if they break his law.

2. In confirmation of this we identify the will of the Father as his law in many scriptures. God is a Governor; we are all his subjects. We rejoice to address him as our Father; but this is not the only character in which he appears to us. We must all appear in the Judgment. And where should we expect to find the will of a governor except in his law. And so it is said: “Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every work into judgment.” If we do not keep his commandments we cannot expect to stand in the Judgment. The text upon which our correspondent frames his question teaches that faith in Christ is of no avail without obedience to the Father. And again, the scripture says: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov. 28:9. “Faith without works is dead.”

But we have testimony even more direct than this. In a prophecy concerning the Saviour he is represented as saying to his Father: “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. And the apostle of Christ speaks to those to whom “were committed the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:2), thus: “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.” Rom. 2:17, 18. Here is testimony most positive that they who are instructed out of the law thereby know the will of God. And the apostle proceeds to identify the law as that of the ten commandments, by referring to the eighth, seventh, and second commandments, and sums up, and gives his estimate of the whole, saying: “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?”

Jesus said he came into the world to do the will of his Father, and gave the Jews a test of his doctrines as follows: “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:16, 17. Here we notice that, 1. The will of the Father is to be done. It is something to be obeyed. 2. It is distinct from the doctrine of Christ—of the cross. 3. It existed before Christ came. He came to do it, and to lead others to do it. The law of God was in his heart. He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb. 9:26. Not to put away his own sin, for he had none. It was our sin he came to put away. And sin is the transgression of the law. He came to put away our transgressions of his Father’s law; to overcome the rebellion against his Father’s authority, and to restore us to obedience to his Father. And strange to say, men with the Bible open before them, professing to honor God by acknowledging his Son, praying to him, calling him, Lord, Lord, yet continue in sin, trampling down the law of his Father. Not only that, but they claim exemption from obedience to the revealed will of the Father through the faith of the Son! They try to make void the law through faith; Rom. 3:31; they sin that grace may abound; chap. 6:1-3; they make void the commandment of God through their tradition; and turn from the words of Jesus, who pronounces their worship vain. Matt. 15:1-9.

3. There is yet one point to which we wish to call the attention of the reader. It is the chronology of the text upon which we are questioned. The Saviour told how they might, and why they should not, enter the kingdom. Now there is an appointed time when the saints shall inherit the kingdom. See Matt. 25:31-34; 13:40, 41, and others. It is at the coming of the Lord in glory. A prophecy of his coming is found in Rev. 14:6-14. And the last message given to the church and to the world contains “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Here are brought together, as essentials of Christian character as a preparation to meet the Lord in peace at his appearing, the will of the Father, his holy commandments, and the gospel of the Son, the faith of Jesus. The Saviour said: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,” &c., but, with all their loud profession, they work iniquity; they are breakers of the law. They are fully expecting to enter the kingdom on their faith in Jesus, while they persistently deny the commandments of the Father. They will meet with a terrible disappointment when it is too late to recover themselves from their error. And so will all who draw near to God with their mouth, and teach for doctrines the commandments of men.