God’s Spirit and His Law
By M. C. W.
Meekness is defined as humility, gentleness, compliant yielding; but this does not by any means imply weakness or instability of character. It is only the strong who are truly meek. Meekness is defined to be forbearance; but it frequently requires more strength to be forbearing under injuries than it does to defend ourselves. It is gentleness and softness of disposition, but it is the gentleness of God that makes us great. Ps. 18:35. A prominent characteristic of this grace is teachableness, as we learn from Ps. 25:9, “The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way;” but this does not mean a disposition which can be taught by any impostor. Meekness learns of God, is always open to receive illumination from the Source of light, and it never rebels against reproof. Who was stronger among men than Moses? And yet Moses was the meekest of men. Who was more forbearing and stronger in all that was good than Jesus of Nazareth? and yet he says, “I am meek and lowly of heart.” Who more teachable than those great characters, type and Antitype—“Moses the man of God,” and Christ the Saviour of the world? O, for more of the meekness and gentleness of Christ! As God is a spiritual Being, so also his government and kingdom must be spiritual. His law is expressly declared to be “spiritual.” Rom. 7:14. It is therefore a living law, partaking of the nature and life of the Being who gave it. Opposed to spiritual is carnal, or fleshly. The carnal man is the opposite of the spiritual man. But “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 [fleshly, or carnal minded] can not please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:7-9. In those who have the Spirit of God, who walk after the Spirit, will “the righteousness of the law” be fulfilled. Verse 4. “Against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:23. What are we to conclude from the above, dear reader? Simply this: (1) That the “spiritual” law of God is in perfect harmony with the Spirit of God, or, to put it in another form, the Spirit of God permeates the law of God, making it spiritual and living. (2) That those and those only who are carnally minded will ever oppose the law of God when they understand what the law is. Enmity against the law of God ought, therefore, to be an evidence to us that our hearts are carnal, and that we are not right before God. (3) And, lastly, we may conclude that the spirit which moves us to defy, to disobey, or to slight any part of God’s law, is not the Spirit of God. Is it not far better to be a loyal subject of the King of the universe, to walk as Christ walked, to be led by the Spirit which led him?