THE LAW OF GOD by John William Watt

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 6, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 36.

THE LAW OF GOD.

By John William Watt

A WRITTEN law is always the expression of the mind of the lawgiver; the mind of an individual is that which controls his actions. Therefore the mind or will of any one is an expression of his character.

In the law of God (the Ten Commandments) we have expressed the mind or character of the living God. Not what His mind was, but what it is, and ever has been. He (God) is from everlasting to everlasting, the self-existent One, who created all things, the Governor of the universe.

The law of God is then in character like its Author, eternal, and self-existent. Its principles must necessarily exist because of a relationship existing between intelligent creatures and the God who created them.

Some have said that these principles could not apply in all parts of the universe. If that were true, it would still remain a fact that wherever they would apply, they are the mind of God with reference to what intelligent creatures should be in the place where they do apply. But the writer believes they apply in all parts of the universe.

Christ and God are one in character. Therefore, in studying the law, we study the character of Christ, as well as the character of God. The character of angels and the inhabitants of unfallen worlds must be in harmony with the character of God. Therefore in the law we find the character of these brought to view. All who are saved from sin will be in character like God before they can enter heaven. In the law of God, we then have the character of God, of Christ, of angels, of the inhabitants of unfallen worlds, and of the redeemed of this world.

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8. There is nothing foreign to love in the character of God. He is the Fountainhead from which all love flames, hence all those who meet His mind will be filled with love, and therefore wholly free from hatred and malice.

“God is holy.” Lev. 19:2. God is within Himself holy, there is no such thing as unholiness to be found in Him, therefore in all His universe those who are accepted of Him must be holy, made so by God's holiness being imparted to them by His grace and Spirit.

“God is good.” Matt. 19:17. God is the embodiment of all goodness, ever seeking to impart His own goodness to all His creatures. All who have a living connection with Him will be good. No one need be afraid of a good angel, or a good man or woman, for they will harm no one in any way.

“God is a Spirit.” John 4:24. God is a spiritual being, and will impart to all who are loyal to Him true spirituality. Carnality and spirituality are just opposite, one to the other, therefore, they who are God's children, walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, because they have a living connection with the Source of all spirituality.

“God is just.” Rom. 3:26. God is just in all His ways. No injustice will ever be found in Him, all who have any dealings with Him will receive justice at His hand; all those who are truly His servants will also deal justly with their fellow men, and thus they will be a living example of what God is in character.

There are two things which the law of God must do for us who live in this world. It must point out and condemn sin, and it must present to us the true idea of righteousness. Therefore it should be studied by opposites. As it points out sin it goes to the very lowest depths of sin and condemns the very root of the matter, and is a discerner of the intents of the heart, but, as we turn away from the condemned sin and turn to the opposite, we see the highest ideal of right doing that it is possible for us to attain unto even in and through Jesus Christ. For we see the righteousness of God, which is perfect righteousness.

J. W. WATT.