October 19, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
WHAT ‘IT IS WRITTEN’ DECLARES OF THE DECALOGUE
“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 [alleged] 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.’ (Ps. 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.’ (Rev. 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, that 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’ (Isa. 42:21). He said, ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law;’ ‘till heaven and earth pass, not one jot or one 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 love. 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;’ ‘all Thy commandments are righteousness’(Ps. 119: 142, 172).
“And the apostle Paul declares, ‘The law is holy, the commandment is holy, and just and good.’(Rom. 7:12). Such a law, being an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as ENDURING as its Author.”- (E.G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 Ed., pp. 466, 467).
Have this Covenant (Deut. 4:13) written in your hearts and minds, and remain a faithful covenant-keeper to end with Christ, “the Angel of the Covenant.” God bless, NMF
