The ROYAL LAW by F. C. Gilbert

Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 28.

The ROYAL LAW

By F. C. Gilbert

BY F. C. GILBERT. (A Hebrew Christian.)

CHRIST THE END OF THE LAW.

IT is very generally accepted among the masses of Christian people at the present time that when Christ came to this world one feature of His mission was to fulfil the law, in the sense of bringing it to an end and to introduce a new era, known as the reign of grace. Many passages of scripture are misused to show that this is the purpose of the Gospel and the personal appearing of Christ. But if the believer in such teaching would stop long enough to consider what is involved in such an idea, its bearing in general upon the law of Jehovah, its relation to the real purpose of Christ’s coming, and its meaning to the Jewish people to whom Christ came in fulfilment of the Scriptures, it would be apparent that its tendency is to destroy faith in God, in His law, and in the mission and salvation of Jesus Christ. John 5:39, 45-47.

Why the Saviour Appeared.

The mission of the Saviour had been predicted all through the ages by the different prophets. Luke 24:27, 44. When the fulness of the time had come, however, God sent forth His Son into this world. Gal. 4:4. As He was about to appear, there came from heaven these testimonies by the angel Gabriel, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11. “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

One feature, therefore, of the coming of Jesus was to save His people from their sins. But we learn from the Word of God that “sin is the transgression of the law.” While it is generally conceded and believed that the mission of the Saviour was to save the whole world, it is also recognized that at His coming He came to His own, and His own received Him not. He said Himself that He was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and He exhorted His disciples not to go in the way of the Gentiles, but to rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 1 John 3:4; John 3:16; 1:11; Matt. 15:24; 10:5, 6.