Chapter XVII: Part VIII: The Law of God (1)

The Law of God

I

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

II

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

III

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

IV

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

V

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

VI

Thou shalt not kill.

VII

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII

Thou shalt not steal.

IX

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

X

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

The Law Of God

Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps.
19:7.

1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?

“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And _He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone_.” Deut. 4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?

In Ex. 20:2-17.

3. How comprehensive are these commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for _this is the whole duty of man_.” Eccl. 12:13.

4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?

“_The law of the Lord is perfect_, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is _sure_, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are _right_, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is _pure_, enlightening the eyes.” Ps. 19:7, 8.

5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God’s commandments?

“Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and _in keeping of them there is great reward_.” Verse 11.

6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?

“If thou wilt enter into life, _keep the commandments_.” Matt. 19:17.

7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for _without Me ye can do nothing_.” John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.

8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God’s law?

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:3, 4.

9. What is the nature of God’s law?

“For we know that _the law is spiritual_: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7:14.

NOTE.—In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments,
recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual
nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward
actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the
heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or
all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore,
requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart
service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.

10. How is the law further described?

“Wherefore the law is _holy_, and the commandment _holy_, and _just_, and _good_.” Verse 12.

11. What is revealed in God’s law?.

“And knowest _His_ [_God’s_] _will_, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.” Rom. 2:18.

12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God’s will, or law?

“Then said I, 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. See Heb. 10:5, 7.

13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?

“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but _he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven_.” Matt. 7:21.

14. What did He say of those who should break one of God’s commandments, or should teach men to do so?

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, _he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven_.” Matt. 5:19, first part.

15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?

“But _whosoever shall do and teach them_, the same shall be called great in the kingdom.” Same verse, last part.

16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, _ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven_.” Verse 20.

17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?

“But He answered and said unto them, _Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?_” Matt. 15:3.

18. How had they done this?

“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Verses 4-6.

19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their worship?

“But _in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Verse 9.

20. What is sin declared to be?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the transgression of the law_.” 1 John 3:4.

21. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“For _by the law is the knowledge of sin_.” Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.

22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to become a transgressor of the law?

“For _whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all_. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” James 2:10, 11.

NOTE.—This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole,
and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links,
all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the
chain is broken.

23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions of God’s law?

“_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.

24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. _For God shall bring every work into judgment_, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:13, 14.

25. What will be the standard in the judgment?

“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be _judged by the law of liberty_.” James 2:12.

26. What is said of those who love God’s law?

“_Great peace have they which love Thy law_: and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119:165.

27. What would obedience to God’s commandments have insured to ancient Israel?

“O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! _then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea_.” Isa. 48:18.

28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God’s commandments?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a _good understanding have all they that do His commandments_.” Ps. 111:10.

29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But _his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night_.” Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.

30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: _for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be_.” Rom. 8:7.

31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of God?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and _His commandments are not grievous_.” 1 John 5:3.

32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore _love_ is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10.

33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt. 22:37-40.

NOTE.—“Does any man say to me, ‘You see, then, instead of the ten
commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are
much easier’? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the
least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and
experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest
extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle
of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally
found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love
God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you
love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second
table.”—_“__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H.
Spurgeon, page 6._

34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep His commandments?

“He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is _a liar_, and _the truth is not in him_.” 1 John 2:4.

35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?

“If ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_.” Isa. 1:19.

36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?

“_Blessed_ are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” Ps. 119:1.

Perpetuity Of The Law

Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law,
or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.

1. How many lawgivers are there?

“There is _one lawgiver_, who is able to save and to destroy.” James 4:12.

2. What is said of the stability of God’s character?

“For I am the Lord, _I change not_.” Mal. 3:6.

3. How enduring are His commandments?

“The works of His hands are verity and judgment; _all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever_, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8.

4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil_.” Matt. 5:17.

NOTES.—_The law_; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically,
the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of
Moses primarily derived their name. _The prophets_; that is, the
writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy,
but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.

“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial,
and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of
things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of
loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can
never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of
this kind are the ten commandments; and these our Saviour neither
abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are
appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the
religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed
when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be
untouched.”—_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18._

“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it,
and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to
explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He
confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would
not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to
alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His
life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He
had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is
written, ‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us.’ ... If the law had demanded more of us than
it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it
the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure
He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask,
namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only
what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for
sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the
tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for
all.”—_“__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H.
Spurgeon, pages 4-7._

“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by
the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His
coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must
remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending
either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to
change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their
unchangeable relation to each other.”—_John Wesley, in his
__“__Sermons,__”__ Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222._

5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the word _fulfil_ mean?

To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as, “that it might be _fulfilled_ which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.” Matt. 4:14.

6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?

To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so _fulfil_ the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2. See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.

7. How did Christ treat His Father’s commandments?

“I have _kept_ My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10.

8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?

“He that saith he abideth in Him _ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked_.” 1 John 2:6.

9. What is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the transgression of the law_.” 1 John 3:4.

NOTE.—This text does not say that sin _was_ the transgression of
the law, but that it _is_ this, thus demonstrating that the law is
still in force in the gospel dispensation. “Whosoever” likewise
shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any
nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.

The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

10. In what condition are all men?

“For _all have sinned_, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

11. How many are included in the “all” who have sinned?

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved _both Jews and Gentiles_, that _they are all under sin_.” Verse 9.

12. By what are all men proved guilty?

“Now we know that _what things soever the law saith_, it saith to them who are under the law: _that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God_.” Verse 19.

NOTE.—It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it
to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no
respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured
by the law, _all the world_ are guilty before God.

13. Does faith in God make void the law?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? _God forbid: yea, we establish the law_.” Verse 31.

14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God?

“For _God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son_, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

NOTE.—Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of
in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The
gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the
immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and
satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law
could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on “The Perpetuity
of the Law of God,” “Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater
vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than
all the lost can ever give by their miseries.” The fact that the
law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its
enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.

15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?

“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but _the doers of the law shall be justified_.” Rom. 2:13.

16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?

“But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, but _a doer that worketh_, this man shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25, R. V.

17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, _because we love the brethren_.” 1 John 3:14.

18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?

“By this we know that we love the children of God, _when we love God, and keep His commandments_.” 1 John 5:2.

19. What is the love of God?

“For this is the love of God, _that we keep His commandments_.” Verse 3.

20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!

O send Thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart,
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar’s part.

From vanity turn off my eyes,
Let no corrupt design
Nor covetous desire arise
Within this soul of mine.

Order my footsteps by Thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

Make me to walk in Thy commands,
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands
Offend against my God.
ISAAC WATTS.

Why The Law Was Given At Sinai

Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin."
Rom. 3:20.

1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.” Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: _chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God_.” Rom. 3:1, 2.

NOTE.—The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the
benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the
guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should
be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The
precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they
were given for the instruction and government of all. “Ten
precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty
of man to God and to his fellow men;” and all are based upon the
great fundamental principle of love. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”
Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried
out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and
circumstances of man.

3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people?

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and _I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws_.” Ex. 18:16.

4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?

“And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, _Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord_.... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, _which is the Sabbath_, in it there shall be none.” Ex. 16:23-26.

5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?

“And the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws_?” Verse 28.

NOTE.—It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God
existed before the law was given at Sinai.

6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?

“Wherefore then serveth the law?” Gal. 3:19.

NOTE.—That is, of what use or service was the law announced at
Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?

7. What answer is given to this question?

“_It was added, because of transgressions_, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” Same verse.

NOTES.—The Greek word here translated “added” is the same one that
is translated “spoken” in Heb. 12:19.

“The meaning is that _the law was given to show the true nature of
transgressions_, or _to show what sin is_. It was not to reveal a
way of justification, but it was _to disclose the true nature of
sin_; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty; _to
convince men of it_, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory
to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true
account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use
of the law still exists.”—_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19._

8. How is this same truth again expressed?

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. _But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful._” Rom. 7:12, 13.

9. For what purpose did the law enter?

“Moreover the law entered, _that the offense might abound_.” Rom. 5:20.

NOTE.—By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not
to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new
revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in a
_plainly spoken_ and _plainly written_ law, the better see _the
awful sinfulness of sin_, and thus _their utter helplessness_ and
_undone condition_. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with
idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard
servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely
forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one
realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour
from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the
world through Israel at Sinai.

10. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“_By the law_ is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.

11. Under what condition is the written law good?

“But we know that the law is good, _if a man use it lawfully_.” 1 Tim. 1:8.

12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?

“Knowing this, that _the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient_, for the _ungodly_ and for _sinners_, for _unholy_ and _profane_, for _murderers_ of fathers and _murderers_ of mothers, for _manslayers_, for _whoremongers_, for them that _defile themselves with mankind_, for _menstealers_, for _liars_, for _perjured persons_, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” Verses 9, 10.

NOTE.—In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show
what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and
that they need a Saviour. God’s design, then, in giving the law at
Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.

13. Who does Christ say need a physician?

“They that be whole need not a physician, but _they that are sick_.” Matt. 9:12.

NOTE.—Speaking of how to deal with those “who are not stricken of
their sins,” and “have no deep conviction of guilt,” D. L. Moody,
in his “Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers,” says: “Just bring the
law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their
true light.... Don’t try to heal the wound before the hurt is
felt. Don’t attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until
your converts see that they have sinned—see it and feel it.”

14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?

“For I am not come to call the righteous, but _sinners_ to repentance.” Verse 13.

15. What is the strength of sin?

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is _the law_.” 1 Cor. 15:56.

16. What are the wages of sin?

“For _the wages of sin is death_; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for _if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law_.” Gal. 3:21.

18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Wherefore _the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ_, that we might be justified by faith.” Verse 24.

NOTES.—“What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be
saved by it?—Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we
cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace.
But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep
it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling
to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to
hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and
locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then
he begins to cry, ‘Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I
cannot be saved by my own works.’ This is how Paul describes it to
the Galatians: ‘The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that
the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut
up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we
might be justified by faith.’ I say you have deprived the gospel
of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken
away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They
will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy
law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed
purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.”—_“__The
Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10,
11._

“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end
merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as
necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find
that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not
preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to
sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people
slightly.”—_Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860)._

Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his “Sermon Notes,”
CCXII, says: “Here we have a condensed history of the world before
the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus....
The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the
story of the ages.” That is, in his experience, each individual
that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and
learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the
pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.

Penalty For Transgression

Destruction Of Korah, Dathan, And Abiram. "The wages of sin is death."
Rom. 6:23.

1. What is the wages of sin?

“For the wages of sin is _death_.” Rom. 6:23.

2. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed, and partook of the forbidden fruit?

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof _thou shalt surely die_.” Gen. 2:17.

3. Who does God say shall die?

“_The soul that sinneth_, it shall die.” Eze. 18:4.

4. How did death enter the world?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and _death by sin_; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12.

5. Why did God destroy the antediluvian world?

“And _God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth_.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” Gen. 6:5-7.

6. While God is merciful, does this clear the guilty?

“The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and _by no means clearing the guilty_.” Num. 14:18. See also Ex. 34:5-7.

The Tower Of Babel. "The Lord did there confound the language of all the
earth." Gen. 11:9.

7. What is the result of wilful sin?

“For _if we sin wilfully_ after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, _there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins_, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Heb. 10:26, 27.

8. Under the theocracy, how were the rebellious or wilful transgressors treated?

“He that despised Moses’ law _died without mercy_ under two or three witnesses.” Verse 28.

9. What awaits those who despise the means of grace?

“_Of how much sorer punishment_, suppose ye, _shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God_, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Verse 29.

10. Is it the duty of gospel ministers to execute vengeance?

“Now then _we are ambassadors for Christ_, as though God did beseech you by us.” 2 Cor. 5:20. See 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

11. To whom does vengeance belong?

“_Vengeance is Mine; I will repay_, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19.

12. To whom has execution of judgment been committed?

“For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and _hath given Him authority to execute judgment also_.” John 5:26, 27. See Jude 14, 15.

13. Because evil is not punished immediately, what presumptuous course do many pursue?

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, _therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil_.” Eccl. 8:11.

14. What message has God commissioned His ministers to bear to men?

“Say ye to the righteous, that _it shall be well with him_: for they shall eat of the fruit of their doings. _Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him_: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa. 3:10, 11.

The Law Of God In The Patriarchal Age

Obedience Of Abraham. "Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept ... My
commandments." Gen. 26:5.

1. Can there be sin where there is no law?

“Because the law worketh wrath: _for where no law is, there is no transgression_.” “_Sin is not imputed when there is no law._” Rom. 4:15; 5:13.

2. Through what is the knowledge of sin obtained?

“For _by the law_ is the knowledge of sin.” “I had not known sin, but _by the law_.” Rom. 3:20; 7:7.

3. What statement shows that sin was in the world before the law was given on Mt. Sinai?

“_For until the law sin was in the world_: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Rom. 5:13.

NOTE.—The fact that sin was imputed before the law was given at
Sinai is conclusive proof that the law existed before that event.

4. When did sin and death enter the world?

“Wherefore, as _by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world_, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Verse 12.

5. With what words did God admonish Cain?

“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, _sin lieth at the door_.” Gen. 4:7.

6. What shows that God imputed sin to Cain?

“And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground. And _now art thou cursed from the earth_, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand.” Verses 10, 11.

7. What was the difference between Cain’s and Abel’s characters?

“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? _Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous._” 1 John 3:12.

NOTE.—There must, therefore, have been a standard at that time by
which the characters of men were weighed. That standard must have
defined the difference between right and wrong, and pointed out
man’s duty. But this is the province of the law of God. Hence the
law of God must have existed at that time.

8. In what condition was the world before the flood?

“The earth also was _corrupt before God_, and the earth was _filled with violence_.” Gen. 6:11.

9. What did God purpose to do with the people of that day?

“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, _I will destroy them with the earth_.” Verse 13.

10. What is Noah called?

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, _a preacher of righteousness_.” 2 Peter 2:5.

NOTE.—Noah must have warned the antediluvians against sin, and
preached repentance and that obedience of faith which brings the
life into harmony with the law of God.

11. Why did the Lord destroy Sodom?

“The men of Sodom were _wicked_ and _sinners_ before the Lord _exceedingly_.” Gen. 13:13.

12. What was the character of their deeds?

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their _unlawful deeds_).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

NOTE.—Their deeds would not have been _unlawful_ had there been no
law then in existence. _Unlawful_ means “contrary to law.”

13. What did Joseph, in Egypt, say when tempted to sin?

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and _sin against God_?” Gen. 39:9.

14. What did God say to Abraham concerning the Amorites?

“In the fourth generation they [Israel] shall come hither again: for _the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full_.” Gen. 15:16.

15. Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty?

“And he [Ahab] did very abominably in _following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites_, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” 1 Kings 21:26.

16. Why did the Lord abhor the Canaanites?

“Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all My judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: _for they committed all these things_, and therefore I abhorred them.” Lev. 20:22, 23.

NOTE.—The statement that “they committed all these things” refers
to what had been previously forbidden to the Israelites. Among
these things was idolatrous worship (Lev. 20:1-5), showing that
the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were amenable to the law of
God, and were abhorred of God for violating it.

17. Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham?

“Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Gen. 26:5.

NOTE.—Then God’s commandments and laws existed in the time of
Abraham.

18. Before giving the law at Sinai, what did God say because some of the people went out to gather manna on the seventh day?

“And the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?_” Ex. 16:28.

19. Had the Lord spoken regarding the Sabbath previous to this time?

“This is that which the Lord _hath said_, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath.” Verse 23.

20. Before coming to Sinai, what had Moses taught Israel?

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and _I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws_.” Ex. 18:16.

NOTE.—All this shows that the law of God existed from the
beginning, and was known and taught in the world before it was
proclaimed at Sinai.

The Law Of God In The New Testament

Paul Preaching To The Thessalonians. "This is the love of God, that we
keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3.

1. By what means did the Jews know God’s will?

“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will, ... _being instructed out of the law_.” Rom. 2:17, 18.

2. What did they have in the law?

“Which hast _the form of knowledge and of the truth_ in the law.” Verse 20.

NOTE.—The written law presents the _form_ of knowledge and of the
truth. Grace and truth, or grace and the reality or realization of
that which the written law demands, came by Jesus Christ. He was
the law in life and action.

3. What did Jesus say of His attitude toward the law?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil_.” Matt. 5:17.

NOTE.—By the expression “the law” here is meant the five books of
Moses; and by “the prophets,” the writings of the prophets. Christ
did not come to set aside or to destroy either of these, but to
fulfil both. The ceremonialism of types and shadows contained in
the books written by Moses He fulfilled by meeting them as their
great Antitype. The moral law, the great basic fabric underlying
all of Moses’ writings, Christ fulfilled by a life of perfect
obedience to all its requirements. The prophets He fulfilled in
His advent as the Messiah, Prophet, Teacher, and Saviour foretold
by them.

4. What did He teach concerning the stability of the law?

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Verse 18.

5. In what instruction did He emphasize the importance of keeping the law?

“Whosoever therefore shall 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 do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 19.

6. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do in order to enter into life?

“If thou wilt enter into life, _keep the commandments_.” Matt. 19:17.

7. When asked which commandments, what did Jesus say?

“Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Verses 18, 19.

NOTE.—While not quoting all of the ten commandments, Jesus quoted
sufficient of them to show that He referred to the moral law. In
quoting the second great commandment He called attention to the
great principle underlying the second table of the law,—love to
one’s neighbor,—which the rich young man, in his covetousness, was
not keeping.

8. Does faith render the law void?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? _God forbid: yea, we establish the law._” Rom. 3:31.

9. How is the law fulfilled?

“Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for _he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law_. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment [touching our duty to our fellow men], it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore _love is the fulfilling of the law_.” Rom. 13:8-10.

10. What is of more importance than any outward ceremony?

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but _the keeping of the commandments of God_.” 1 Cor. 7:19.

11. What kind of mind is not subject to the law of God?

“Because _the carnal mind_ is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

12. What proves that the law is an undivided whole?

“_For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all._ For He that said [margin, _that law which said_], Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:10-12.

13. How is sin defined?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the transgression of the law_.” 1 John 3:4.

14. How may we know that we love the children of God?

“By this we know that we love the children of God, _when we love God, and keep His commandments_.” 1 John 5:2.

15. What is the love of God declared to be?

“For _this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments_: and His commandments are not grievous.” Verse 3.

16. How is the church of the last days described?

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, _which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ_.” “Here is the patience of the saints: _here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus_.” Rev. 12:17; 14:12.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

How blest the children of the Lord,
Who, walking in His sight,
Make all the precepts of His Word
Their study and delight!

What precious wealth shall be their dower,
Which cannot know decay;
Which moth and rust shall ne’er devour,
Or spoiler take away.

HARRIET AUBER.

Love the Fulfilling of the Law

“If the love of God is shed abroad in your heart,” says Mr. Moody, “you will be able to fulfil the law.” Paul reduces the commandments to one: “Thou shalt love,” and says that “love is the fulfilling of the law.” This truth may be demonstrated thus:—

1. Love to God will admit no other god.
2. Love will not debase the object it adores.
3. Love to God will never dishonor His name.
4. Love to God will reverence His day.
5. Love to parents will honor them.
6. Hate, not love, is a murderer.
7. Lust, not love, commits adultery.
8. Love will give, but never steal.
9. Love will not slander nor lie.
10. Love’s eye is not covetous.

Principles Underlying the Ten Commandments

1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8-10.

2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6, 7.

3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.

4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Heb. 12:14; Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prov. 3:6.

5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23, 24.

6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.

7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3, 4; Col. 3:5, 6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.

8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.

9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.

10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb. 13:5.

The Moral And Ceremonial Laws

The Law Written And Engraven In Stones. The Law Of Commandments Contained
In Ordinances.

1. What title of distinction is given the law of God?

“If ye fulfil _the royal law_ according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:8, 9.

2. By what law is the knowledge of sin?

“I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Rom. 7:7.

NOTE.—The law which says, “Thou shalt not covet,” is the ten
commandments.

3. By what are all men to be finally judged?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and _keep His commandments_: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:13, 14. “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by _the law of liberty_.” James 2:12.

NOTE.—The law which is here called “the law of liberty,” is the
law which says, “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not kill,” for
these commandments had just been quoted in the verse immediately
preceding. In verse 8, this same law is styled “the royal law;”
that is, the kingly law. This is the law by which men are to be
judged.

4. What system was established on account of man’s transgression of the law of God?

The sacrificial system, with its rites and ceremonies pointing to Christ.

5. Why did the patriarch Job offer burnt offerings?

“And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and _offered burnt offerings_ according to the number of them all: for Job said, _It may be that my sons have sinned_, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Job 1:4, 5.

6. How early was this sacrificial system known?

“By faith _Abel_ offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.” Heb. 11:4. See Gen. 4:3-5; 8:20.

7. By whom was the ten commandment law proclaimed?

“And _the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire_: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And _He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments_; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:12, 13.

8. How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?

“And the Lord called unto Moses, ... saying, _Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them_, If any man of you bring _an offering_,” etc. Lev. 1:1, 2. “_This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace-offering_; which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that He commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai.” Lev. 7:37, 38.

9. Were the ten commandments a distinct and complete law by themselves?

“_These words the Lord spake_ unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: _and He added no more_. And He wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.” Deut. 5:22. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee _tables of stone_, and _a law_, and _commandments_ which I have written.” Ex. 24:12.

10. Was the ceremonial law a complete law in itself?

“_The law_ of commandments _contained in ordinances_.” Eph. 2:15.

11. On what did God write the ten commandments?

“And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and _He wrote them upon two tables of stone_.” Deut. 4:13.

12. In what were the laws or commandments respecting sacrifices and burnt offerings written?

“And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in _the book of Moses_.” 2 Chron. 35:12.

13. Where were the ten commandments placed?

“And he took and put the testimony _into the ark_, ... and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark.” Ex. 40:20.

14. Where did Moses command the Levites to put the book of the law which he had written?

“Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and _put it in the side of the ark_ of the covenant of the Lord your God.” Deut. 31:25, 26.

15. What is the nature of the moral law?

“The law of the Lord is _perfect_, converting the soul.” Ps. 19:7. “For we know that the law is _spiritual_.” Rom. 7:14.

16. Could the offerings commanded by the ceremonial law satisfy or make perfect the conscience of the believer?