p. 1 | Fulfill by E. Everts

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1858

Fulfill.

By E. Everts

THIS word is uttered by our Saviour in the commencement of his sermon to his disciples as he commented upon, explained and enforced the observance of the moral law. Matt. v, 17. Here, as I have before me the notes of Justin Edwards D. D., I will insert his comment on the words "destroy" and "fulfill." Our Saviour says: "Think not that I have come to destroy the law." Edwards says: "set aside either the principles or moral precepts of the Old Testament." "To fulfill: rightly to explain the nature and perfectly to obey the precepts of the moral law." Verse 18. "Not one jot: He says, 'No part of the moral law, or the obligation to obey it shall be done away.'"

Here we find Edwards agreeing with the prophet Isaiah, [Chap. xlii, 21.] who instead of predicting that Christ would destroy the moral law, positively declared that he would magnify and make it honorable. Not "set aside either the principles or the moral precepts of the Old Testament," but to fulfill, "to rightly explain the nature and perfectly to obey the precepts of the moral law."

These commandments are enjoined upon Christ's disciples to obey and teach, under the weightiest considerations. Christ says, "Whosoever therefore (because they are not destroyed) shall (in the future) break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall (future) do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

In addition, Jesus says, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Will our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees if we break and teach others to break the least commandment in God's moral law? How much less if we break God's fourth commandment, that one which, with his own finger he engraved in the bosom of the moral law, in stone, and which also by physical and moral wants is engraved in our entire being; the only one of the whole ten which points out to the infidel or idolater the true God; the commandment which God has so sacredly designated by blessing and hallowing, and giving to man, that he might know him, and for a sign between God and his people. Eze. xx, 12, 20; Ex. xxxi, 17.

Will any try to do it away by faith? "Faith establishes the law." Rom. iii, 31. Will any try to prove it abolished at the cross? Nothing but the typical sacrifices which were shadows of the sacrifice that hung on the cross, were nailed there; then consequently those sabbaths, new moons and holy or feast days, on which those sacrifices were offered, were abolished, which Paul says, were a "hand writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross." Col. ii, 14-17. What was against us? The Sabbath. No. Jesus says, "The Sabbath was made for man." Mark ii, 27. Are you a man? Will any try to do the Sabbath of the fourth commandment away by love? "This is the love of God that we keep his commandments." 1 Jno. v, 3.

Do any try to do away the Sabbath claim by quoting Rom. xiii, 8, "For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law?" "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments." 1 Jno. v, 2.

Do any quote the answer to the rich young man [Matt. xix, 16] in order to avoid the Sabbath? The omission of naming the Sabbath would prove too much; for five commandments of the decalogue were omitted. Is it right, because of this omission, now to take God's name in vain? to make and worship graven images? to have other gods, before the true and living God? or to covet? Did not our Saviour say, "Keep the commandments?"

Was not our Saviour teaching that rich man his individual duty, what he must do, pointing out what he lacked to obtain eternal life? The same commandment that slew Paul, the young man was transgressing, which our Saviour brought to light, in the wise course of his instruction. Paul says, "I had not known lust except the law had said, 'Thou shalt not covet.'" But Paul does not find fault with the law; he says, "the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and just, and good." "For we know that the law is spiritual." Rom. vii.

David says, "The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul;" "all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness." Ps. xix, 7; cxi, 7, 8.

Will any quote 2 Cor. iii, 7, to prove that the commandments engraven in stone were done away by Christ? Look once more, and see that it was the glory of that ministration that was done away. Although the glory of that ministration caused Moses' face so to shine that he put a veil over the glory of his shining face, that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that which (glory) is abolished; even "that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by the reason of the glory that excelled." 2 Cor. iii, 7, 9, 13. What excelled? The "ministration of the Spirit" is "rather glorious," as now ministered by Christ, the minister of the New Testament, and who "writes the law on the fleshly tables of the heart." Verse 3.

Do we not see, that if faith, love, or the ministration of Christ, or the Spirit, or any omission on any occasion by Christ or the Apostles to quote the fourth commandment, would do it away, it would destroy the whole moral law, and if so, as a work under Christ, it would prove what our Saviour declares was not his work?

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law." "I have not come to destroy the law." Do you believe Jesus?

E. EVERTS.