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A New Life (Revival and Beyond)
deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened
the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the
religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God
[10]
have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the
character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led
to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted
in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the
secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our
time....
Can God’s Law Be Changed?
Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished
the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There
are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the
bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the
gospel.
But not so did prophets and apostles regard the holy law of God.
Said David: “I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts” (
Psalm
119:45
). The apostle James, who wrote after the death of Christ, refers
to the Decalogue as “the royal law” and “the perfect law of liberty”
(
James 2:8
;
1:25
). And the revelator, half a century after the crucifix-
ion, pronounces a blessing upon them “that do His commandments,
that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city” (
Revelation 22:14
). The claim that Christ by
His death abolished His Father’s law is without foundation. Had it
been possible for the law to be changed or set aside, then Christ need
not have died to save man from the penalty of sin....
Alienated and Reconciled—How Does It Happen?
It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men
to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law.
In the beginning, man was created in the image of God. He was in
perfect harmony with the nature and the law of God; the principles of
[11]
righteousness were written upon his heart. But sin alienated him from
his Maker. He no longer reflected the divine image. His heart was
at war with the principles of God’s law. “The carnal mind is enmity