RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LAW by J. W. Scoles

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 31.

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LAW.

By J. W. Scoles

(Concluded.)

THE idea held by many who are unconverted is that they are able to do everything that is right, without divine help. This has already been shown to be impossible, on account of the exact obedience required by the law. This obedience can never be rendered by mortals in their present sinful state, however much they may think so. The law by which we are judged is not to be interpreted according to the standard of our poor, fallible opinions of right and wrong, but according to the mind and judgment of Jehovah himself. It is his law, represents his own character, and, in its infinite scope, condemns everything which God himself, under any circumstances, could regard as sin.

The erroneous views of morality which many hold to-day, are causing their lives to end in failure here, with a prospect of more terrible failure hereafter. The apostle says, "the carnal [or natural] mind . . . is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7. And as all men are sinful by nature, it follows that it is morally impossible for them to render that perfect obedience to the law which its perfection requires. They are, therefore, driven by its very perfection to find some other means by which they may be justified, or accounted righteous, before God.

This is found alone in Christ, the only begotten Son of the Eternal Father. "What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:3, 4.

We cannot, however, entertain the thought that, even at conversion, a man is at once brought to that position where he lives strictly and absolutely in obedience to the law of God. Not that he is necessarily bound to

willfully transgress; far from it. He may live in harmony with it as far as he can see, and may not, in his own mind, be guilty of violating its least principles; but, as we have seen, its scope is as infinite as the mind of God, and unconscious mistakes will continually occur in the lives of those who think they are walking in perfect obedience. But let none obtain the idea that this gives men license to sin. No, no; the very fact that it was necessary that the Son of God should come to this world to die, in order to save men from condemnation, and redeem them from all iniquity, shows the heinousness of sin.

Christ took upon himself our human flesh with all of its failings and sinfulness, and by divine power lived above sin, keeping the law of God in all of its requirements. And he is the only one having a human nature who ever did do this. In him was "no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." 1 Peter 2:22. Being thus perfect, he was enabled to make a perfect offering for the transgressions of the law, and by virtue of his own relation to the law, became a divine substitute for man, the human transgressor. Thus it was that he became sin, or was accounted sinful for us, that we, who are naturally sinful, might be justified, or accounted righteous, through him.

This is how it is that the "righteousness of the law" is fulfilled in those who, through faith in Christ, "walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." Instead of imputing our sins to us, God imputes to us the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and looks upon us with the same feeling that he looks upon his own dear Son. And although mistakes may mar our work on account of our human imperfections, they are forgiven, and the perfection and immaculate purity of Christ is attributed to us so long as we believe in him. The fact that God accepted him in our stead is evidence of the love he has for us, and shows us that he will, and does, accept us the moment we avail ourselves of this sacrifice of Christ by faith in his atoning blood. Well may we say with the apostle, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

J. W. SCOLES.