p. 133 | LAW, GRACE, AND TRUTH by John G. Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 25, 1877

LAW, GRACE, AND TRUTH.

By John G. Matteson

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17.

Many interpret this text in this manner: Moses and those living in his time knew nothing of grace and truth, while Christ and his followers have nothing to do with the law.

That such an interpretation is faulty, is evident from the following considerations:—

1. Moses followed the Lord; this was faith. He drank of the spiritual Rock, which was Christ. 1 Cor. 10:4. “By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Yea, he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. This, certainly, was God’s grace and truth that sustained and guided him; and this was the same grace and truth which were revealed by Jesus Christ. Christ, the true light, not only reveals sin, but also shines even unto the North, East, and West. His light shines, not alone from Bethlehem and Calvary into the future, but also back into the past.

2. God’s grace and mercy were announced to Israel, and Moses, and indeed all God’s servants, obtained mercy from the Lord. “And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.” Ex. 22:27. “And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Ex. 33:17–19. And again it is said: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Ex. 34:6, 7.

The blessings of the Lord were proclaimed to Israel as well as the curses. “On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” Num. 6:23–27. The blessing belonged to the believer and the curse to the unbeliever and ungodly, just the same as they do in our days under the new covenant. God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, the Father of light, who changeth not. “God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him.” Acts 10:34, 35.

3. Moses wrote concerning Christ: “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” The Lord said unto Moses: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” Deut. 18:15, 18, 19.

4. Christ did not abolish the law, but established it. Matt. 5:17–19.

5. Christ explained to his disciples what was written concerning him in the Scriptures, by Moses and the prophets. Luke 24:27.

6. Christ and Moses are not opposed to each other. They were seen, also Elias, on the mount of transfiguration, and conversed in perfect harmony. Yea; they held sweet counsel together, and talked of Jesus’ departure from the earth, which he was to fulfill at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30, 31. The above-mentioned text simply denotes that the law was given by Moses. He was the instrument which God used among men to proclaim his law. But grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. If he had not come to this earth, then no man could have been saved. Then could neither Moses or any other have found grace in the sight of the Lord.

So, then, this is a sound and good doctrine that grace shines from the cross of Christ to all nations, both to them that lived before he came in the flesh, and to those who have lived since. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

JOHN G. MATTESON.