Christ's Law and Civil Law

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 10, 1900

Christ's Law and Civil Law

The "Christian Work" for November 23, under the heading "Christ's Law and Civil Law," makes the following curious remark:—

"It is a singular fact that only on one occasion did Christ attempt to change any Jewish statute."

The reference is to the teaching of our Lord concerning divorce in Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2, 12. But if Jesus attempted to change a civil law here He did in Matt. 5:38, 39. The simple fact is that He never did attempt to change any civil statute. All that Christ taught was addressed to the individual soul. In God's sight, in the light of primal law, no man should divorce a wife save for fornication. The man who heeded this instruction did not violate civil law. Jesus knew what many who profess to follow Him do not know, namely, that it is impossible to convert or save men through civil law.