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THE LAW OF GOD

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 16.

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THE LAW OF GOD.

Perfection of the Law.

(Lesson 3.—Sabbath, May 8.)
1. UNDER what circumstances were the ten commandments spoken?
"These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice." Deut. 5:22.
2. What steps were taken for their preservation?
"And he wrote them on two tables of stone." Ib.
3. Where do we find them recorded? In Ex. 20:3-17.
4. In what two precepts are these ten commandments summed up?
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:35-40.
5. In making this statement did Christ utter a new truth?
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deut 6:5. (He quoted from the law. See Matt. 22:36.)
6. Can there be any duty outside of what we owe to God and our fellow-creatures? It is evident that there cannot be.
7. Then what may be said of 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.
8. What does David say of the ten commandments?
"My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172.
9. What does the Lord, through one of his prophets, say of his own righteousness?
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." Isa. 51:6.
10. Who are they who know (or have) this righteousness?
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." Isa. 51:7.
11. Then what is the law of God? The righteousness of God.
12. Since the law of God is his righteousness, what may be truly said of it?
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Ps. 19:7.
13. Quote other statements from the psalms concerning the nature of the law.
"The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure." Ps. 111:7. "All thy commandments are faithful." "Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." "Thou art near, O Lord, and all thy commandments are truth." Ps. 119:86, 138, 142, 151.
14. What did Paul say of it?
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Rom. 7:12.
15. Since the commandments are an expression of the righteousness of God, is it possible to speak of them in too exalted terms? No; every epithet expressive of character, that may be applied to God, may also be applied to his law, since that is the expression of his character.