Is Transgression Necessary to the Existence of Law?
By R. F. Cottrell
It is true where there is no law there is no transgression; but is it true that where there is no transgression there is no law? In a discussion at Lancaster, N. Y., Isa. 66: 22, 23 was quoted to prove that the Sabbath law would exist in the world to come; and since it is admitted on every side that the other nine precepts of the decalogue are of universal and perpetual obligation, it was claimed that the ten commandments would still be law. In reply to this, it was claimed that to suppose that these commandments would be law in the new earth, would be to suppose that there would be murder and adultery, theft and false witness there. Let us look at this. The Sabbath will be there. All observe it. Then it is a law or rule for all to observe it. Is there any Sabbath-breaking there? No; for “all flesh” come from one Sabbath to another to worship God. It is a rule or law then violated by none. Again, of the city of God, it is said that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” The law against lying and every abominable work remains then, but no one violates the law. Law will exist then, but no one on earth will violate it; for the gates of the city stand open continually to all the inhabitants of the earth. R. F. COTTRELL.