Part VIII. The Law of God

Part VIII. The Law of God[pg 368]The Law of GodIThou shalt have no other gods before Me.IIThou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.IIIThou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.IVRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.VHonor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.VIThou shalt not kill.VIIThou shalt not commit adultery.VIIIThou shalt not steal.IXThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.XThou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.[pg 369]The Law Of GodIllustration.Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. AndHe declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.”Deut. 4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?In Ex. 20:2-17.3. How comprehensive are these commandments?“Fear God, and keep His commandments: forthis is the whole duty of man.”Eccl. 12:13.4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord issure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord areright, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord ispure, enlightening the eyes.”Ps. 19:7, 8.5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God's commandments?“Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: andin keeping of them there is great reward.”Verse 11.6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?“If thou wilt enter into life,keep the commandments.”Matt. 19:17.[pg 370]7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: forwithout Me ye can do nothing.”John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God's law?“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Rom. 8:3, 4.9. What is the nature of God's law?“For we know thatthe law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”Rom. 7:14.Note.—In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments, recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore, requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.10. How is the law further described?“Wherefore the law isholy, and the commandmentholy, andjust, andgood.”Verse 12.11. What is revealed in God's law?.“And knowestHis[God's]will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.”Rom. 2:18.12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God's will, or law?“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me,I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.”Ps. 40:7, 8. See Heb. 10:5, 7.13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; buthe that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”Matt. 7:21.14. What did He say of those who should break one of God's commandments, or should teach men to do so?[pg 371]“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so,he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”Matt. 5:19, first part.15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?“Butwhosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom.”Same verse, last part.16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”Verse 20.17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?“But He answered and said unto them,Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”Matt. 15:3.18. How had they done this?“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”Verses 4-6.19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their worship?“Butin vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”Verse 9.20. What is sin declared to be?“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.21. By what is the knowledge of sin?“Forby the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to become a transgressor of the law?“Forwhosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”James 2:10, 11.[pg 372]Note.—This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole, and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links, all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the chain is broken.23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions of God's law?“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:9.24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”Eccl. 12:13, 14.25. What will be the standard in the judgment?“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall bejudged by the law of liberty.”James 2:12.26. What is said of those who love God's law?“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”Ps. 119:165.27. What would obedience to God's commandments have insured to ancient Israel?“O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments!then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”Isa. 48:18.28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God's commandments?“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: agood understanding have all they that do His commandments.”Ps. 111:10.29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Buthis delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?[pg 373]“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”Rom. 8:7.31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of God?“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: andHis commandments are not grievous.”1 John 5:3.32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: thereforeloveis the fulfilling of the law.”Rom. 13:10.33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Matt. 22:37-40.Note.—“Does any man say to me,‘You see, then, instead of the ten commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are much easier’? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second table.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, page 6.34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep His commandments?“He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, isa liar, andthe truth is not in him.”1 John 2:4.35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?“If ye be willing and obedient,ye shall eat the good of the land.”Isa. 1:19.36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?“Blessedare the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”Ps. 119:1.[pg 374]Perpetuity Of The LawIllustration.Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.1. How many lawgivers are there?“There isone lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.”James 4:12.2. What is said of the stability of God's character?“For I am the Lord,I change not.”Mal. 3:6.3. How enduring are His commandments?“The works of His hands are verity and judgment;all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.”Ps. 111:7, 8.4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”Matt. 5:17.Notes.—The law; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically, the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of Moses primarily derived their name.The prophets; that is, the writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy, but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments;[pg 375]and these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is written,‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’... If the law had demanded more of us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for all.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 4-7.“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.”—John Wesley, in his“Sermons,”Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222.5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the wordfulfilmean?To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as,“that it might befulfilledwhich was spoken by Esaias the prophet.”Matt. 4:14.6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as,“Bear ye one another's burdens, and sofulfilthe law of Christ.”Gal. 6:2. See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.7. How did Christ treat His Father's commandments?“I havekeptMy Father's commandments, and abide in His love.”John 15:10.8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?“He that saith he abideth in Himought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.”1 John 2:6.9. What is sin?“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.[pg 377]Note.—This text does not say that sinwasthe transgression of the law, but that itisthis, thus demonstrating that the law is still in force in the gospel dispensation.“Whosoever”likewise shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.Illustration.The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.10. In what condition are all men?“Forall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”Rom. 3:23.11. How many are included in the“all”who have sinned?“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before provedboth Jews and Gentiles, thatthey are all under sin.”Verse 9.12. By what are all men proved guilty?“Now we know thatwhat things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”Verse 19.Note.—It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured by the law,all the worldare guilty before God.13. Does faith in God make void the law?“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”Verse 31.14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God?“ForGod so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:16.“Christ died for our sins.”1 Cor. 15:3.Note.—Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”“Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than all the lost can ever give by their miseries.”The fact that the law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, butthe doers of the law shall be justified.”Rom. 2:13.[pg 378]16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?“But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, buta doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.”James 1:25, R. V.17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?“By this we know that we love the children of God,when we love God, and keep His commandments.”1 John 5:2.19. What is the love of God?“For this is the love of God,that we keep His commandments.”Verse 3.20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”Rev. 14:12.O that the Lord would guide my waysTo keep His statutes still!O that my God would grant me graceTo know and do His will!O send Thy Spirit down to writeThy law upon my heart,Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,Nor act the liar's part.From vanity turn off my eyes,Let no corrupt designNor covetous desire ariseWithin this soul of mine.Order my footsteps by Thy word,And make my heart sincere;Let sin have no dominion, Lord,But keep my conscience clear.Make me to walk in Thy commands,'Tis a delightful road;Nor let my head, nor heart, nor handsOffend against my God.Isaac Watts.[pg 379]Why The Law Was Given At SinaiIllustration.Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?“Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.”Neh. 9:13, 14.2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way:chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”Rom. 3:1, 2.Note.—The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all.“Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow men;”and all are based upon the great fundamental principle of love.“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and circumstances of man.[pg 380]3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people?“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, andI do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.”Ex. 18:16.4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?“And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said,Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day,which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.”Ex. 16:23-26.5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?“And the Lord said unto Moses,How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?”Verse 28.Note.—It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God existed before the law was given at Sinai.6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?“Wherefore then serveth the law?”Gal. 3:19.Note.—That is, of what use or service was the law announced at Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?7. What answer is given to this question?“It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”Same verse.Notes.—The Greek word here translated“added”is the same one that is translated“spoken”in Heb. 12:19.“The meaning is thatthe law was given to show the true nature of transgressions, orto show what sin is. It was not to reveal a way of justification, but it wasto disclose the true nature of sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty;to convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use of the law still exists.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.8. How is this same truth again expressed?“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid.But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”Rom. 7:12, 13.[pg 381]9. For what purpose did the law enter?“Moreover the law entered,that the offense might abound.”Rom. 5:20.Note.—By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in aplainly spokenandplainly writtenlaw, the better seethe awful sinfulness of sin, and thustheir utter helplessnessandundone condition. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the world through Israel at Sinai.10. By what is the knowledge of sin?“By the lawis the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.11. Under what condition is the written law good?“But we know that the law is good,if a man use it lawfully.”1 Tim. 1:8.12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?“Knowing this, thatthe law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for theungodlyand forsinners, forunholyandprofane, formurderersof fathers andmurderersof mothers, formanslayers, forwhoremongers, for them thatdefile themselves with mankind, formenstealers, forliars, forperjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”Verses 9, 10.Note.—In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and that they need a Saviour. God's design, then, in giving the law at Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.13. Who does Christ say need a physician?“They that be whole need not a physician, butthey that are sick.”Matt. 9:12.Note.—Speaking of how to deal with those“who are not stricken of their sins,”and“have no deep conviction of guilt,”D. L. Moody, in his“Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers,”says:“Just bring the law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their true light.... Don't try to heal the wound before the hurt is felt. Don't attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until your converts see that they have sinned—see it and feel it.”14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?[pg 382]“For I am not come to call the righteous, butsinnersto repentance.”Verse 13.15. What is the strength of sin?“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin isthe law.”1 Cor. 15:56.16. What are the wages of sin?“Forthe wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”Rom. 6:23.17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: forif there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”Gal. 3:21.18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of the law at Sinai?“Whereforethe law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”Verse 24.Notes.—“What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be saved by it?—Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace. But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then he begins to cry,‘Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I cannot be saved by my own works.’This is how Paul describes it to the Galatians:‘The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10, 11.“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly.”—Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his“Sermon Notes,”CCXII, says:“Here we have a condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus.... The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages.”That is, in his experience, each individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.[pg 383]

The Law of GodIThou shalt have no other gods before Me.IIThou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.IIIThou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.IVRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.VHonor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.VIThou shalt not kill.VIIThou shalt not commit adultery.VIIIThou shalt not steal.IXThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.XThou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

III

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

VII

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

The Law Of GodIllustration.Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. AndHe declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.”Deut. 4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?In Ex. 20:2-17.3. How comprehensive are these commandments?“Fear God, and keep His commandments: forthis is the whole duty of man.”Eccl. 12:13.4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord issure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord areright, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord ispure, enlightening the eyes.”Ps. 19:7, 8.5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God's commandments?“Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: andin keeping of them there is great reward.”Verse 11.6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?“If thou wilt enter into life,keep the commandments.”Matt. 19:17.[pg 370]7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: forwithout Me ye can do nothing.”John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God's law?“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Rom. 8:3, 4.9. What is the nature of God's law?“For we know thatthe law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”Rom. 7:14.Note.—In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments, recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore, requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.10. How is the law further described?“Wherefore the law isholy, and the commandmentholy, andjust, andgood.”Verse 12.11. What is revealed in God's law?.“And knowestHis[God's]will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.”Rom. 2:18.12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God's will, or law?“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me,I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.”Ps. 40:7, 8. See Heb. 10:5, 7.13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; buthe that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”Matt. 7:21.14. What did He say of those who should break one of God's commandments, or should teach men to do so?[pg 371]“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so,he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”Matt. 5:19, first part.15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?“Butwhosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom.”Same verse, last part.16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”Verse 20.17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?“But He answered and said unto them,Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”Matt. 15:3.18. How had they done this?“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”Verses 4-6.19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their worship?“Butin vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”Verse 9.20. What is sin declared to be?“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.21. By what is the knowledge of sin?“Forby the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to become a transgressor of the law?“Forwhosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”James 2:10, 11.[pg 372]Note.—This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole, and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links, all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the chain is broken.23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions of God's law?“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:9.24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”Eccl. 12:13, 14.25. What will be the standard in the judgment?“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall bejudged by the law of liberty.”James 2:12.26. What is said of those who love God's law?“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”Ps. 119:165.27. What would obedience to God's commandments have insured to ancient Israel?“O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments!then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”Isa. 48:18.28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God's commandments?“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: agood understanding have all they that do His commandments.”Ps. 111:10.29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Buthis delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?[pg 373]“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”Rom. 8:7.31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of God?“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: andHis commandments are not grievous.”1 John 5:3.32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: thereforeloveis the fulfilling of the law.”Rom. 13:10.33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Matt. 22:37-40.Note.—“Does any man say to me,‘You see, then, instead of the ten commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are much easier’? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second table.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, page 6.34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep His commandments?“He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, isa liar, andthe truth is not in him.”1 John 2:4.35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?“If ye be willing and obedient,ye shall eat the good of the land.”Isa. 1:19.36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?“Blessedare the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”Ps. 119:1.

Illustration.Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.

Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.

1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?

“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. AndHe declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.”Deut. 4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?

In Ex. 20:2-17.

3. How comprehensive are these commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: forthis is the whole duty of man.”Eccl. 12:13.

4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord issure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord areright, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord ispure, enlightening the eyes.”Ps. 19:7, 8.

5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God's commandments?

“Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: andin keeping of them there is great reward.”Verse 11.

6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?

“If thou wilt enter into life,keep the commandments.”Matt. 19:17.

7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: forwithout Me ye can do nothing.”John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.

8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God's law?

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Rom. 8:3, 4.

9. What is the nature of God's law?

“For we know thatthe law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”Rom. 7:14.

Note.—In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments, recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore, requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.

10. How is the law further described?

“Wherefore the law isholy, and the commandmentholy, andjust, andgood.”Verse 12.

11. What is revealed in God's law?.

“And knowestHis[God's]will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.”Rom. 2:18.

12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God's will, or law?

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me,I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.”Ps. 40:7, 8. See Heb. 10:5, 7.

13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?

“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; buthe that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”Matt. 7:21.

14. What did He say of those who should break one of God's commandments, or should teach men to do so?

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so,he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”Matt. 5:19, first part.

15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?

“Butwhosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom.”Same verse, last part.

16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”Verse 20.

17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?

“But He answered and said unto them,Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”Matt. 15:3.

18. How had they done this?

“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”Verses 4-6.

19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their worship?

“Butin vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”Verse 9.

20. What is sin declared to be?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.

21. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“Forby the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.

22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to become a transgressor of the law?

“Forwhosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”James 2:10, 11.

Note.—This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole, and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links, all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the chain is broken.

23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions of God's law?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:9.

24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”Eccl. 12:13, 14.

25. What will be the standard in the judgment?

“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall bejudged by the law of liberty.”James 2:12.

26. What is said of those who love God's law?

“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”Ps. 119:165.

27. What would obedience to God's commandments have insured to ancient Israel?

“O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments!then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”Isa. 48:18.

28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God's commandments?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: agood understanding have all they that do His commandments.”Ps. 111:10.

29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Buthis delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.

30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”Rom. 8:7.

31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of God?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: andHis commandments are not grievous.”1 John 5:3.

32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: thereforeloveis the fulfilling of the law.”Rom. 13:10.

33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Matt. 22:37-40.

Note.—“Does any man say to me,‘You see, then, instead of the ten commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are much easier’? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second table.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, page 6.

34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep His commandments?

“He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, isa liar, andthe truth is not in him.”1 John 2:4.

35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?

“If ye be willing and obedient,ye shall eat the good of the land.”Isa. 1:19.

36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?

“Blessedare the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”Ps. 119:1.

Perpetuity Of The LawIllustration.Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.1. How many lawgivers are there?“There isone lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.”James 4:12.2. What is said of the stability of God's character?“For I am the Lord,I change not.”Mal. 3:6.3. How enduring are His commandments?“The works of His hands are verity and judgment;all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.”Ps. 111:7, 8.4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”Matt. 5:17.Notes.—The law; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically, the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of Moses primarily derived their name.The prophets; that is, the writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy, but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments;[pg 375]and these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is written,‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’... If the law had demanded more of us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for all.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 4-7.“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.”—John Wesley, in his“Sermons,”Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222.5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the wordfulfilmean?To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as,“that it might befulfilledwhich was spoken by Esaias the prophet.”Matt. 4:14.6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as,“Bear ye one another's burdens, and sofulfilthe law of Christ.”Gal. 6:2. See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.7. How did Christ treat His Father's commandments?“I havekeptMy Father's commandments, and abide in His love.”John 15:10.8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?“He that saith he abideth in Himought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.”1 John 2:6.9. What is sin?“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.[pg 377]Note.—This text does not say that sinwasthe transgression of the law, but that itisthis, thus demonstrating that the law is still in force in the gospel dispensation.“Whosoever”likewise shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.Illustration.The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.10. In what condition are all men?“Forall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”Rom. 3:23.11. How many are included in the“all”who have sinned?“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before provedboth Jews and Gentiles, thatthey are all under sin.”Verse 9.12. By what are all men proved guilty?“Now we know thatwhat things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”Verse 19.Note.—It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured by the law,all the worldare guilty before God.13. Does faith in God make void the law?“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”Verse 31.14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God?“ForGod so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:16.“Christ died for our sins.”1 Cor. 15:3.Note.—Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”“Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than all the lost can ever give by their miseries.”The fact that the law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, butthe doers of the law shall be justified.”Rom. 2:13.[pg 378]16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?“But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, buta doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.”James 1:25, R. V.17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?“By this we know that we love the children of God,when we love God, and keep His commandments.”1 John 5:2.19. What is the love of God?“For this is the love of God,that we keep His commandments.”Verse 3.20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”Rev. 14:12.O that the Lord would guide my waysTo keep His statutes still!O that my God would grant me graceTo know and do His will!O send Thy Spirit down to writeThy law upon my heart,Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,Nor act the liar's part.From vanity turn off my eyes,Let no corrupt designNor covetous desire ariseWithin this soul of mine.Order my footsteps by Thy word,And make my heart sincere;Let sin have no dominion, Lord,But keep my conscience clear.Make me to walk in Thy commands,'Tis a delightful road;Nor let my head, nor heart, nor handsOffend against my God.Isaac Watts.

Illustration.Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.

Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.

1. How many lawgivers are there?

“There isone lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.”James 4:12.

2. What is said of the stability of God's character?

“For I am the Lord,I change not.”Mal. 3:6.

3. How enduring are His commandments?

“The works of His hands are verity and judgment;all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.”Ps. 111:7, 8.

4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”Matt. 5:17.

Notes.—The law; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically, the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of Moses primarily derived their name.The prophets; that is, the writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy, but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments;[pg 375]and these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is written,‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’... If the law had demanded more of us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for all.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 4-7.“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.”—John Wesley, in his“Sermons,”Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222.

“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments;[pg 375]and these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.

“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is written,‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’... If the law had demanded more of us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for all.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 4-7.

“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.”—John Wesley, in his“Sermons,”Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222.

5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the wordfulfilmean?

To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as,“that it might befulfilledwhich was spoken by Esaias the prophet.”Matt. 4:14.

6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?

To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as,“Bear ye one another's burdens, and sofulfilthe law of Christ.”Gal. 6:2. See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.

7. How did Christ treat His Father's commandments?

“I havekeptMy Father's commandments, and abide in His love.”John 15:10.

8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?

“He that saith he abideth in Himought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.”1 John 2:6.

9. What is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:4.

Note.—This text does not say that sinwasthe transgression of the law, but that itisthis, thus demonstrating that the law is still in force in the gospel dispensation.“Whosoever”likewise shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.

Illustration.The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

10. In what condition are all men?

“Forall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”Rom. 3:23.

11. How many are included in the“all”who have sinned?

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before provedboth Jews and Gentiles, thatthey are all under sin.”Verse 9.

12. By what are all men proved guilty?

“Now we know thatwhat things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”Verse 19.

Note.—It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured by the law,all the worldare guilty before God.

13. Does faith in God make void the law?

“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”Verse 31.

14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God?

“ForGod so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:16.“Christ died for our sins.”1 Cor. 15:3.

Note.—Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”“Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than all the lost can ever give by their miseries.”The fact that the law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.

15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?

“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, butthe doers of the law shall be justified.”Rom. 2:13.

16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?

“But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, buta doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.”James 1:25, R. V.

17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.

18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?

“By this we know that we love the children of God,when we love God, and keep His commandments.”1 John 5:2.

19. What is the love of God?

“For this is the love of God,that we keep His commandments.”Verse 3.

20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”Rev. 14:12.

O that the Lord would guide my waysTo keep His statutes still!O that my God would grant me graceTo know and do His will!O send Thy Spirit down to writeThy law upon my heart,Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,Nor act the liar's part.From vanity turn off my eyes,Let no corrupt designNor covetous desire ariseWithin this soul of mine.Order my footsteps by Thy word,And make my heart sincere;Let sin have no dominion, Lord,But keep my conscience clear.Make me to walk in Thy commands,'Tis a delightful road;Nor let my head, nor heart, nor handsOffend against my God.Isaac Watts.

O that the Lord would guide my waysTo keep His statutes still!O that my God would grant me graceTo know and do His will!

O that the Lord would guide my ways

To keep His statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace

To know and do His will!

O send Thy Spirit down to writeThy law upon my heart,Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,Nor act the liar's part.

O send Thy Spirit down to write

Thy law upon my heart,

Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,

Nor act the liar's part.

From vanity turn off my eyes,Let no corrupt designNor covetous desire ariseWithin this soul of mine.

From vanity turn off my eyes,

Let no corrupt design

Nor covetous desire arise

Within this soul of mine.

Order my footsteps by Thy word,And make my heart sincere;Let sin have no dominion, Lord,But keep my conscience clear.

Order my footsteps by Thy word,

And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion, Lord,

But keep my conscience clear.

Make me to walk in Thy commands,'Tis a delightful road;Nor let my head, nor heart, nor handsOffend against my God.Isaac Watts.

Make me to walk in Thy commands,

'Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands

Offend against my God.

Isaac Watts.

Why The Law Was Given At SinaiIllustration.Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?“Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.”Neh. 9:13, 14.2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way:chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”Rom. 3:1, 2.Note.—The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all.“Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow men;”and all are based upon the great fundamental principle of love.“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and circumstances of man.[pg 380]3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people?“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, andI do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.”Ex. 18:16.4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?“And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said,Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day,which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.”Ex. 16:23-26.5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?“And the Lord said unto Moses,How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?”Verse 28.Note.—It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God existed before the law was given at Sinai.6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?“Wherefore then serveth the law?”Gal. 3:19.Note.—That is, of what use or service was the law announced at Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?7. What answer is given to this question?“It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”Same verse.Notes.—The Greek word here translated“added”is the same one that is translated“spoken”in Heb. 12:19.“The meaning is thatthe law was given to show the true nature of transgressions, orto show what sin is. It was not to reveal a way of justification, but it wasto disclose the true nature of sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty;to convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use of the law still exists.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.8. How is this same truth again expressed?“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid.But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”Rom. 7:12, 13.[pg 381]9. For what purpose did the law enter?“Moreover the law entered,that the offense might abound.”Rom. 5:20.Note.—By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in aplainly spokenandplainly writtenlaw, the better seethe awful sinfulness of sin, and thustheir utter helplessnessandundone condition. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the world through Israel at Sinai.10. By what is the knowledge of sin?“By the lawis the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.11. Under what condition is the written law good?“But we know that the law is good,if a man use it lawfully.”1 Tim. 1:8.12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?“Knowing this, thatthe law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for theungodlyand forsinners, forunholyandprofane, formurderersof fathers andmurderersof mothers, formanslayers, forwhoremongers, for them thatdefile themselves with mankind, formenstealers, forliars, forperjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”Verses 9, 10.Note.—In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and that they need a Saviour. God's design, then, in giving the law at Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.13. Who does Christ say need a physician?“They that be whole need not a physician, butthey that are sick.”Matt. 9:12.Note.—Speaking of how to deal with those“who are not stricken of their sins,”and“have no deep conviction of guilt,”D. L. Moody, in his“Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers,”says:“Just bring the law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their true light.... Don't try to heal the wound before the hurt is felt. Don't attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until your converts see that they have sinned—see it and feel it.”14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?[pg 382]“For I am not come to call the righteous, butsinnersto repentance.”Verse 13.15. What is the strength of sin?“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin isthe law.”1 Cor. 15:56.16. What are the wages of sin?“Forthe wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”Rom. 6:23.17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: forif there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”Gal. 3:21.18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of the law at Sinai?“Whereforethe law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”Verse 24.Notes.—“What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be saved by it?—Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace. But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then he begins to cry,‘Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I cannot be saved by my own works.’This is how Paul describes it to the Galatians:‘The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10, 11.“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly.”—Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his“Sermon Notes,”CCXII, says:“Here we have a condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus.... The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages.”That is, in his experience, each individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.

Illustration.Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.”Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way:chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”Rom. 3:1, 2.

Note.—The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all.“Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow men;”and all are based upon the great fundamental principle of love.“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and circumstances of man.

3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people?

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, andI do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.”Ex. 18:16.

4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?

“And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said,Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day,which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.”Ex. 16:23-26.

5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?

“And the Lord said unto Moses,How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?”Verse 28.

Note.—It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God existed before the law was given at Sinai.

6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?

“Wherefore then serveth the law?”Gal. 3:19.

Note.—That is, of what use or service was the law announced at Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?

7. What answer is given to this question?

“It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”Same verse.

Notes.—The Greek word here translated“added”is the same one that is translated“spoken”in Heb. 12:19.“The meaning is thatthe law was given to show the true nature of transgressions, orto show what sin is. It was not to reveal a way of justification, but it wasto disclose the true nature of sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty;to convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use of the law still exists.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.

Notes.—The Greek word here translated“added”is the same one that is translated“spoken”in Heb. 12:19.

“The meaning is thatthe law was given to show the true nature of transgressions, orto show what sin is. It was not to reveal a way of justification, but it wasto disclose the true nature of sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty;to convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use of the law still exists.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.

8. How is this same truth again expressed?

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid.But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”Rom. 7:12, 13.

9. For what purpose did the law enter?

“Moreover the law entered,that the offense might abound.”Rom. 5:20.

Note.—By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in aplainly spokenandplainly writtenlaw, the better seethe awful sinfulness of sin, and thustheir utter helplessnessandundone condition. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the world through Israel at Sinai.

10. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“By the lawis the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.

11. Under what condition is the written law good?

“But we know that the law is good,if a man use it lawfully.”1 Tim. 1:8.

12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?

“Knowing this, thatthe law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for theungodlyand forsinners, forunholyandprofane, formurderersof fathers andmurderersof mothers, formanslayers, forwhoremongers, for them thatdefile themselves with mankind, formenstealers, forliars, forperjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”Verses 9, 10.

Note.—In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and that they need a Saviour. God's design, then, in giving the law at Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.

13. Who does Christ say need a physician?

“They that be whole need not a physician, butthey that are sick.”Matt. 9:12.

Note.—Speaking of how to deal with those“who are not stricken of their sins,”and“have no deep conviction of guilt,”D. L. Moody, in his“Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers,”says:“Just bring the law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their true light.... Don't try to heal the wound before the hurt is felt. Don't attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until your converts see that they have sinned—see it and feel it.”

14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?

“For I am not come to call the righteous, butsinnersto repentance.”Verse 13.

15. What is the strength of sin?

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin isthe law.”1 Cor. 15:56.

16. What are the wages of sin?

“Forthe wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”Rom. 6:23.

17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: forif there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”Gal. 3:21.

18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Whereforethe law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”Verse 24.

Notes.—“What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be saved by it?—Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace. But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then he begins to cry,‘Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I cannot be saved by my own works.’This is how Paul describes it to the Galatians:‘The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.”—“The Perpetuity of the Law of God,”by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10, 11.“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly.”—Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his“Sermon Notes,”CCXII, says:“Here we have a condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus.... The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages.”That is, in his experience, each individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.

“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly.”—Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).

Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his“Sermon Notes,”CCXII, says:“Here we have a condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus.... The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages.”That is, in his experience, each individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.

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