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THE LAW OF GOD

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 6, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 17.

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THE LAW OF GOD.

Breadth of the Law.

(Lesson 4.—Sabbath, May 15.)
1. WHAT can you say of the perfection of the ten commandments? "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Ps. 19:7.
2. Of whose character are they a likeness? In Isa. 51:6, the Lord, after speaking of the passing away of the heavens and the earth, says in contrast: "But my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." The next verse clearly indicates what is meant by the term "my righteousness," in these words: "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law." The law of God is the righteousness of God, that which cannot be abolished. As still further proof that it is the law that is referred to as righteousness, verses 4 and 5 say: "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people." Since God is the embodiment of righteousness, all righteousness must proceed from him; therefore the law of God, being righteousness (Ps. 119:172) must necessarily be God's righteousness.
3. How much of our duty is comprised in the ten commandments? "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13.
4. If we do the ten commandments, what sort of characters will we have? "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.
5. Of whose righteousness will we be partakers? "Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." 1 John 3:7. Compare Isa. 51:6, 7.
6. If to do the commandments is righteousness, what must it be to fail to do them? It can be nothing else than unrighteousness.
7. And what is all unrighteousness? "All unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not unto death." 1 John 5:17.
8. Then what is sin? "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.
9. How may we know that any action is sinful? "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7:7.
10. To what law does Paul here refer as pointing out sin? To the law which contains the commandment, "Thou shalt not covet."
11. Then of what law is it that John speaks when he says that "sin is the transgression of the law?" Of the law of ten commandments.
12. Can there be any sin committed that is not covered by the law? "Because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression." Rom. 4:15. "For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law." Rom. 5:13.
13. What did David say of the law? "I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is exceeding broad." Ps. 119:96.
14. How broad is the law? "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12.
15. How did Jesus illustrate this in the case of the sixth commandment? "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the Judgment; but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matt. 5:21, 22.
16. Do the commandments also forbid evil thoughts and desires as well as open sins? "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery; but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt. 5:27, 28.
17. What is the whole duty of man? Eccl. 12:13.
18. What reason is given why we should do our duty by keeping the commandments? "For God shall bring every work into Judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14.
19. What does this statement indicate? "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into Judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13, 14. Keeping the commandments is declared to be the whole duty of man. The reason given why we should thus do our whole duty, is that "God will bring every work into Judgment, with every secret thing." This statement, coming in the connection that it does, can indicate nothing else than that the commandments of God cover every work, with every secret thing. Whosoever therefore keeps the commandments will be perfect, even in his secret thoughts.