p. 9 | THE HIGHER LAW by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 4, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 40.

THE HIGHER LAW.

By H. A. St. John

BY H. A. ST. JOHN.

GOD'S moral law, summarily contained in the Ten Commandments, is often denominated "the Higher Law." It is truly such, yea, more, it is the highest law known to man, and no higher law can possibly be conceived by man. It has emanated from the highest legislative authority in the universe, even from the "MOST HIGH," and relates to man's highest and best good, both for time and eternity. The humility of Christ in Bethlehem; His mockery in Gabbatha; His agony in Gethsemane; and His ignominy on Calvary, were all because of sin, the transgression of the highest law of the Most High. The grand Gospel scheme, the bureau of salvation, in heaven and on earth, with the Lord Jesus as its head, the Holy Ghost as an omnipresent executive of the Godhead; all the holy angels, as recording secretaries, and field ministers; united with every pardoned, regenerated child of God on earth,—all, all, are for the purpose of restoring the image of God in the soul of man, by the putting away of iniquity, and the carnal mind (which is not subject to God's higher law, nor indeed can be), and writing the law in the heart, first of all, preparatory to writing it upon every muscle and nerve of the immortalized and glorified bodies of the redeemed in the resurrection morning.

All mankind are amenable to this higher law, for God's kingdom ruleth over all. No earthly power can absolve a single soul from allegiance to this law of love. Every soul of man that neglects the great salvation provided, the Gospel provision by which he may come in tune with the Infinite, will some day find, to his great sorrow, that his earthly life was an ignominious failure. He has traveled the broad way that leadeth to everlasting destruction.

History chronicles many instances of human governments and organizations, both church and state, endeavoring to interpose human laws between the creature and the Creator. All such efforts ever have, and ever will have, only one result, namely, inquisition, persecution, banishment, imprisonment, and death. But God will vindicate the martyrs, and they will triumph gloriously; while the powers that thus exalt themselves above God will ignominiously and eternally perish.

Wo be to the nation or denomination or organization that attempts to infringe upon the claims of God's higher law, or seeks to make it void in the least particular. The prophetic seer of Patmos informs us that the remnant church of Christ on earth will be made war upon, because they keep God's commandments and have the testimony of Jesus. As this remnant will be scattered abroad among the nations of the earth, it is obvious that earthly governments, dominated by popular and worldly ecclesiastical power, will hide their eyes from the claims of the higher law, and will seek to make it void by human law, dignified by sacred titles. But the remnant church will not be deceived by this last attempt of the arch rebel; they will remain steadfast and immovable, always lovingly loyal to the higher law of the Most High. All such will hear the "Well done," and enter into the joys of their Lord.