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From Here to Forever
standard of piety. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the
Spirit of God in the revivals of our time.
The Law of Liberty
Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished
the law. Some 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 refers to the Decalogue as “the perfect
law of liberty.”
James 1:25
. The Revelator 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
.
Had it been possible for the law to be changed or set aside, Christ
need not have died to save man from the penalty of sin. The Son of
God came to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.”
Isaiah 42:21
.
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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.” Concerning Himself He declared: “I delight to do thy will, O
my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.”
Matthew 5:17, 18
;
Psalm
40:8
.
The law of God is unchangeable, a revelation of the character of
its Author. God is love, and His law is love. “Love is the fulfilling
of the law.” Says the psalmist: “Thy law is the truth”; “all thy
commandments are righteousness.” Paul declares: “The law is holy,
and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
Romans 13:10
;
Psalm 119:142, 172
;
Romans 7:12
. Such a law must be as enduring
as its Author.
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 in perfect harmony with the law of God. But
sin alienated him from his Maker. His heart was at war with God’s
law. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Romans 8:7
. But “God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” that man might