p. 9 | I Came Not to Destroy by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 19, 1914

"I Came Not to Destroy"

By Editor

There has recently been sent us a copy of the teachers' edition of the "Illustrated Studies on the International Lessons" for the second quarter of 1912. The commentary on the lesson scripture contained in Matt. 25: 26 (page 40) declares with reference to the law:—

Many feared, and perhaps some hoped, that Jesus would do away with the old law altogether. Knowing this thought, Jesus took this occasion to say plainly that he by no means wanted to destroy the law of God; it is based on eternal principles of right and can never be destroyed; but he would himself fulfill the law perfectly, and help the people to fulfill it as he did. He strongly condemns any who break, or teach others to break, God's law, and commends those who keep it. Jesus' disciples must be even better than the Pharisees, for they must keep God's law from the heart. And then he took up some of the laws, one by one, and showed how by this new law sin is to be killed at its very root. Speaking of the law "Thou shalt not kill," Jesus told his hearers that this forbids not only actual murder, but also anger, which leads to murder.

Of the relation of faith to the law, the apostle declares: "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."