June 10 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
JESUS MAGNIFIED HIS LAW & MADE IT HONORABLE: HOW ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS? See Isa 42:21
“Many religious teachers assert [who claim ‘the Bible and the Bible only’ as the basis of faith] assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some [multitudes by now] 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 the prophets and apostles regard the holy law of God. Said David, ‘I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.’Ps.119:45. The apostle James who wrote AFTER the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as the ‘royal law’ [Law of the King and His kingdom]’ and the ‘perfect law of liberty.’ James 2:8; 1:25.
“And the revelator, half a century AFTER the crucifixion, pronounced a BLESSING upon them ‘that do His commandments, that they may have THE RIGHT to the tree of life, and may ENTER in through the gates into the city.’ Rev. 22:14.
“The claim that Christ by His death abolished the 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 men from the penalty of the law!
“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.’ He said, ‘Think NOT that I am come to DESTROY THE LAW;’ ‘till heaven and earth pass [and both are still here!], one jot or tittle shall in NO WISE pass from the law.’ Matt.5:17,18.
“And concerning HIMSELF He declares, ‘I delight to do Thy WILL, O My God: yea, Thy LAW is within My heart.’ Ps.40:8.
“The law of God, from its VERY NATURE, is unchangeable. It is a REVELATION of the WILL and CHARACTER of its Author. God is love, and His law is alive. It’s TWO great principles are love to God and love to man.
“Love is the fulfilling of the law.’ Rom. 13:10. The character of God is righteousness and truth; and is the nature of His law. Says the psalmist, ‘Thy law is the truth;’ ‘all Thy commandments are righteousness.’ Ps. 119: 142,172. And the apostle Paul declares, ‘The Law is Holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good.’ Rom.8:7.
“Such a law, being an expression of the MIND and WILL of God, must be as ENDURING as its Author.” Great Controversy, pp. 466,467.
Share this testing truth to your relatives and friends who claim to be Christians, read the Bible yet claim that God “abolished” His own law that defines His character and authority! Unbelievable indeed! NMF