Sayings of Christ by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1875

Sayings of Christ.

By A. S. Hutchins

Whatever claims may be presented for the change or abrogation of the law of God, or for the introduction of a Sabbath into the gospel dispensation other than that taught by the fourth commandment of the decalogue, it is certain that Christ’s sermon on the mount sanctions no such a view. Neither does he pass in silence the subject of the law, the commandments, and righteousness.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 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.” Matt. 5: 17, 18.

If, as Greek scholars here admit, “till all be fulfilled,” signifies till every prediction of God’s word should be accomplished, how very natural and easy the conclusion of the 19th verse, “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.” “Whosoever” covers all persons and all time. If the scriptures above quoted do not teach the perpetuity and the immutability of the commandments, the law of God, it would be difficult to use language that would so teach.

Again, he says, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Righteousness qualifies us to participate in the joy of Heaven—to forever dwell in that holy, happy abode.

“Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.”

*Doing and teaching the commandments secures

a passport to the heavenly mansions.* “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.”

To be righteous is to be in harmony with divine law. This is clearly taught by inspiration. Speaking of the commandments of God, Moses says, “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deut. 6: 25. This is in harmony with the sermon of the great Teacher on the mount. He teaches nothing contrary to his Father’s holy law, but magnifies and makes it honorable as he applies its sanctifying principles to the heart. He abrogates no moral precepts; he institutes none.

“Whosoever heareth and doeth these sayings” stands justified by him as a wise man who builds his house upon a rock. His righteousness is approved. His hope will stand the terrible storm, the raging gale, the swelling flood, which will sweep away every sandy foundation. It stands

“A temple on the rock.”

But not so with that man who knows neither reverence for, nor obedience to, the law of God. His righteousness will soon be weighed in the balances and found wanting. His house is built upon the sand; it will assuredly fall, and great will be its fall.

In view of the purity of heart and life requisite to properly represent the religion of Jesus Christ and to stand before the Judge of all the earth, the language of my soul is, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

“Nothing but truth before His throne With honor can appear; The painted hypocrites are known Through the disguise they wear.”

A. S. Hutchins.

Easton, Vt.