Modern Revivals
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new theological prism puts asunder what God has joined together. Is
the divine law a good or an evil? It is a good. Then justice is good; for
it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit of underrating the
divine law and justice, the extent and demerit of human disobedience,
men easily slide into the habit of underestimating the grace which has
provided an atonement for sin.” Thus the gospel loses its value and
importance in the minds of men, and soon they are ready practically
to cast aside the Bible itself.
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 crucifixion,
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. The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law, proves that
it is immutable. The Son of God came to “magnify the law, and make
it honorable.”
Isaiah 42:21
. He said: “Think not that I am come to
destroy the law;” “till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall
in no wise pass from the law.”
Matthew 5:17, 18
. And concerning
Himself He declares: “I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy
law is within My heart.”
Psalm 40:8
.
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The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a
revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and
His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to
man. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Romans 13:10
. The character
of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. Says
the psalmist: “Thy law is the truth:” “all Thy commandments are
righteousness.”
Psalm 119:142, 172
. And the apostle Paul declares: