p. 131 | BENEFITS OF THE LAW by J. Lamont

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 27, 1876

BENEFITS OF THE LAW.

By J. Lamont

It is stated in 1 Tim. 4:8, that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

Godliness is “a careful observance of the laws of God, and a performance of religious duties, proceeding from love and reverence for the divine character and commands.”—Webster.

A careful observance of God’s law is profitable in and for the present life, according to the above scripture. Many seem to doubt this, and think that the only benefit to be derived from the observance of the law of the Lord is in the life to come. To more clearly demonstrate its profit in the present life we will look at the results of a careful observance of some of God’s commandments, and an utter violation of them.

The fifth commandment says, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Is this profitable in the life that now is? In order to fully test the matter let us suppose that in one community this commandment is universally violated and in another it is universally obeyed. In which of these communities would you prefer to live? In which would you expect the most worldly prosperity? You would not expect to prosper where every family was in a quarrel from morning till night, from week to week, and year to year; where there were neither schools nor churches; for these could not exist without order, which simply means obedience to properly constituted authority. And if children and youth do not respect and honor their parents it is morally certain that they will honor no one else. How many such generations would it take to carry us back to a worse barbarism than now afflicts any part of the world.

Now look at the other community where all obey and honor their parents. Love, joy, peace, and happiness are in every dwelling and throughout the whole community. The actions and influence of every child, every youth, is tending toward one or the other of these results.

“Thou shalt not steal” is another of God’s commandments. Suppose every person in the world a consummate thief! Could any kind of business be carried on to any profit? No; for there would be no inducement to work, as everything would be stolen, and under the supposition that everybody is breaking this commandment, and that continually, there would be no one inclined to honest work.

But with this commandment universally observed, how changed the scene. Not a thief in the world! What an improvement on the present state of things! How much better to have God’s will done! There is real profit in obeying this commandment.

Let us try another: “Thou shalt not kill.” Think of the world as one grand mob of murderers seized with an insatiable desire for blood. Parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, life-long friends, imbruing their hands in one another’s life-blood. Horrid scene! The poet’s dream of darkness would be more than realized. The pall of death would settle down upon a world of murderers. God’s law, then, is profitable, not only to the securing of our property, but our very lives. God’s law is perfect, and its violation brings evil only, and that continually. Look at the idolatrous nations. They are far below the nations not wholly given to idolatry, in wealth, intelligence, civilization, and morals.

Neither would the results following a universal violation of the commandments against swearing, lying, or adultery be any better; but would work anarchy, desolation, and ruin in the present life, and shut out all possible prospect of the life to come.

This being the result of the violation of each one of the ten commandments separately, what would be the state of the world if every one of them were broken by everybody, and that continually? Now change the scene. Let the whole world keep every one of God’s holy precepts. No turmoil, no trouble, no war; no prisons; neither constable nor sheriff; neither judge nor jury; no armies to support; no taxes to pay—every man could then sit under his own vine and fig-tree, and none would molest or make him afraid. Would not sorrow and sighing flee away, and love, joy, and peace reign with undisputed sway?

“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Obedience to God’s law makes men happy in this life, and gives them the life to come through Jesus Christ our Lord. J. LAMONT.

Peoria, Kansas.