The Authority of the Moral Law
By J. O. Corliss
LAW in general is a rule of action established by authority. Law established by human authority can take cognizance of no act beyond the overt, or that which is open to public view, because it can not be made to cover more than what is expressed in the import or common usage of the words it contains. Having no authority beyond its mere letter, it can not do more than to restrain outward actions. Containing no power of discernment, it can become operative only through the discrimination of a life and mind outside of itself. It has, therefore, no power of itself even to punish offenders, but is wholly dependent on the testimony of outside witnesses to secure conviction for violation of its behests. Being but a human production, it has all the weaknesses of humanity, and no more strength of purpose than its maker. The principles here stated have been so generally recognized that many have been wont to apply them to the operation of the moral law. They may not have done so designedly, but their constant association with the human side of affairs has naturally inclined their minds in that direction. However this has been, we may now, with profit, perhaps, view the question from the standpoint of God's authority in the government of His subjects, whether in heaven or upon earth. One thing must seem just and right to every candid mind; namely, that in administering the affairs of a moral government, the same principles must apply to all subjects in every part of the universe. It could not be otherwise, since morality is but the science by which discriminations are made between right and wrong actions. There can be, therefore, but one rule by which to decree what is right and what is wrong, since each of these constituents has its own established test of classification. We have seen that human laws require witnesses outside of themselves to convict offenders. This is because they are but the product of human minds, and so are faulty because the origin of their existence is defective. The moral law, being the product of an infinite mind, must partake of the divine nature, and be able to reveal its Author to those who accept its authority. It must, therefore, of itself, have the power of discrimination between good and evil, and be able to trace these elements to their minutest lurking places, thus discovering to each subject the real condition of his own being. Nay, more, he who would know the power of God to control his actions must have his eyes opened to heavenly things in order to behold wondrous things out of the law of heavenly rule. Ps. 119: 18. This privilege is for all who comply with the conditions offered. To His disciples Jesus said: "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom [government] of God; but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables." Mark 4: 11. To know for oneself the workings of God's government in the soul is to be initiated into a spiritual realm where one's eyes are opened to spiritual entity, and he is in perfect harmony with the life throbs of heaven's administration. To be thus guarded, one must conceal, or lay up in his heart, the instruction of God's word. Ps. 119: 11. Then not only will he be kept from wrong, but he will "find the knowledge of God," and "understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity, yea, every good path." Prov. 2: 1-9. The reason why the word of God is able to do this for men is that it possesses original life and energy, with power to discern, and so to criticize or judge the very reflections and intentions of the heart. Heb. 4: 12. The moral law, having these attributes of Jehovah, carries the power to uncover, without assistance from alien witnesses, the very thoughts of men. Having this law in the heart, one normally bears in himself the mind of Jehovah, and is thus governed from within, because the kingdom, or government, of God is within him. Luke 17: 21. It is thus that the highest point in Christian experience is reached. The careless or indifferent pretender of friendship with God can never hope to attain such heights. Even Israel's sweet singer of God's attributes, with all his devotion to heavenly things, declared in Ps. 139: 6, that an insight into all of Jehovah's ways was knowledge "too wonderful" for him. The word "wonderful" as there used means something singular, or secret; that is, hidden from profane gaze. Yet notwithstanding this, the promise is, as learned in a preceding paragraph, that those who hide God's commandments in the heart and earnestly plead for the knowledge of Jehovah shall find what they desire. The source of this rich endowment is not far to seek. We can not for a moment suppose that God bestows the riches of His grace upon fallen men independent of their attitude toward Him. Indeed, such a course would be unreasonable, for then Jehovah would have no exclusiveness to elevate Him above the vilest of humanity. The maintenance of Jehovah's exaltation demands that only those devoted to Him should share the privilege of His inner presence, and receive the knowledge of His attributes which can come only through such environment. This thought is beautifully and forcibly expressed by the psalmist: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear [reverence] Him; and He will show them His covenant." Ps. 25: 14. To reverence God is to venerate and obey Him; that is, to be humbly submissive to His least requirement. To assume4this attitude is to make oneself a "friend of God," and entitles him fully to expect to receive the secret counsel of heaven's Ruler. This is that which Jesus undertook for His immediate disciples, and He offered the same to us when He said: "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." John 15: 15. Speaking of this work of Christ, the prophet said: "The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honorable," that is, majestic, or beautiful. Isa. 42: 21. To "magnify" the law is to bring out in detail its hidden features. When revealing to His disciples the secret things of God as He promised to do, Jesus was but fulfilling His mission, and uncovering the attributes of His Father, which are contained in His law, but which are hidden from those who have no reverence for the Author of that law. That the law is an unerring witness of God's life and character will be the theme of another paper.