The Perfect Law of God by T. Godfrey

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 27, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 38.

The Perfect Law of God

By T. Godfrey

“HE law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Ps. 19:7. Law, says Webster, is a rule of action, a rule of directing, a fixed principle. Therefore the law of God is a perfect rule of conduct, a perfect rule of directing, an eternal fixed principle. This law was spoken by the Lord at Mount Sinai, in the presence of all Israel, with a loud voice, and God wrote it upon two tables of stone (Deut. 5:22), and gave it to Moses, that he might teach it to the people (Ex. 24:12). This law is now revealed in the Decalogue, and is known as the Ten Commandments. Ex. 20:3-17.

These principles are inherent principles in God from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:1, 2), and are the organic principles in the throne of universal empire. Therefore they are the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government. Says the psalmist, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142. The Word of God is righteousness and truth. Ps. 119:172; John 17:17. Therefore the throne of God is established in righteousness and truth. Deut. 32:4; Ps. 117:1, 2; 100:5.

The transgression of these principles is sin (1 John 3:4; James 2:8-11); and “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Eze. 18:4, 20), “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23; James 1:15). It was these principles that Lucifer, son of the morning, and his confederates, transgressed in heaven, in consequence of which they were expelled from the government of God (Isa. 14:12-15; Eze. 28:12-15), and were cast out into the earth (Rev. 12:7-12). It was these principles that Adam and Eve transgressed in the Garden of Eden, thus bringing sin and death into the world. 1 Cor. 15:22; Rom. 5:12, 19.

These principles are a rule of right living. Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 19:16-19. Therefore they will be the rule of the judgment. Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12. To be able to stand in the judgment one must have these principles written in his heart by the Spirit of the living God. 2 Cor. 3:3; Heb. 8:10-12.

The object of Christ’s mission to this world was to reveal the Father in His own life (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:14, 15; John 14:5-9), and to reconcile fallen man to God and His government, and its eternal and unchangeable laws (2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:19-21; Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:16). After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the ministry of reconciliation was committed to His disciples. 2 Cor. 5:18, 19; 4:10, 11. Therefore the law is the underlying principle of the Gospel of Christ. Rom. 1:16, 17. “Think not,” said Jesus, “that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matt. 5:17. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.