Chapter 26—The Perfect Law
[This article appeared in
The Review and Herald, April 5, 1898
.]
The law of God, as presented in the Scriptures, is broad in its
requirements. Every principle is holy, just, and good. The law lays
men under obligation to God; it reaches to the thoughts and feelings;
and it will produce conviction of sin in every one who is sensible
of having transgressed its requirements. If the law extended to the
outward conduct only, men would not be guilty in their wrong thoughts,
desires, and designs. But the law requires that the soul itself be pure
and the mind holy, that the thoughts and feelings may be in accordance
with the standard of love and righteousness.
In His teachings, Christ showed how far-reaching are the principles
of the law spoken from Sinai. He made a living application of that law
whose principles remain forever the great standard of righteousness—
the standard by which all shall be judged in that great day when the
judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened. He came to fulfill
all righteousness, and, as the head of humanity, to show man that he
can do the same work, meeting every specification of the requirements
of God. Through the measure of His grace furnished to the human
agent, not one need miss heaven. Perfection of character is attainable
[212]
by every one who strives for it. This is made the very foundation of
the new covenant of the gospel. The law of Jehovah is the tree; the
gospel is the fragrant blossoms and fruit which it bears.
When the Spirit of God reveals to man the full meaning of the law,
a change takes place in his heart. The faithful portrayal of his true
state by the prophet Nathan made David acquainted with his own sins,
and aided him in putting them away. He accepted the counsel meekly,
and humbled himself before God. “The law of the Lord,” he said, “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. The fear
of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are
189