FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION.
By G.
EVEN a human court will not condemn a man who has not violated some law. Then "shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" Job 4:17. But there are many people—many professed believers in, and teachers of, the Word of God—who maintain that God's law is abolished, yet He condemns men for alleged sin. This, too, in face of His express declaration that "where no law is, there is no transgression." Rom. 4:15. Naturally, all men are under condemnation (John 3:18) because "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). As "sin is not imputed when there is no law" (Rom. 5:13; 7:7), condemnation must be the result of violating the law of God—a fact which the Word also declares (1 John 3:4). It was because of the universality of the law of God, and because the entire human race was under condemnation through its violation, that Christ came into the world to rescue the fallen victims of sin. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." To them who are "in Christ"—who have unwavering faith in Him—there is no condemnation. Rom. 8:1. Is it because there is no law in Christ?—No; for through faith "we establish the law." Rom. 3:31. It is because the sin has been forgiven, and the condemnation is taken away. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. The life has been changed so as to conform to the blameless life of Christ. The true disciple of Christ is not lawless, but law-abiding. The law of God "is spiritual" (Rom. 7:14), and they that are "in Christ Jesus" will "walk not after the flesh"—contrary to the law—"but after the Spirit." There is no law against the things that they do, therefore their lives are in harmony with5the law. This is the distinction between the true believer and the unbeliever. "The fruit of the Spirit"—as manifested in the life of Christ, and therefore of His true followers—"is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22, 23. But there is law against "the works of the flesh," mentioned in the verses previous to these, such as "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revilings, and such like." We are positively assured that "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." The plain injunction of Christ is, "Follow Me." If we follow Him, we are sure of His strength to overcome temptation, and to perform all duty. His purpose, and therefore our duty, is to do the will of God. See John 4:34; 8:29. It was dictated by Him in prophecy: "Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:7, 8. Having the law written in His heart, according to the new covenant (Jer. 31:31-33), God's will became His will, even His delight. Ps. 1:1, 2. Therefore, notwithstanding He "was in all points tempted like as we are," He never yielded, but continued "without sin." In the same way, we may be enabled, by faith in Him, to walk constantly in the line of duty—all of which is comprehended in the commandments of God. Eccl. 12:13, 14.