The Signs of the Times
January 25, 1905
An Unchangeable Law
Through the eternal ages God's law will endure. Its principles are unchangeable. From these principles there can be no sinless swerving. And naught but blessing follows those who reverentially obey. ST January 25, 1905, par. 1
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets;” Christ declared; “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” I have not come to destroy the law, but to show its immutability, and the holiness of its claims. God could not change His law to meet man in his fallen condition. By suffering the penalty of transgression, I will redeem the race. I have become man's substitute and surety. I have taken human nature, and have come to this earth to pass over the ground where Adam stumbled and fell. In human nature I will bear the test and proving of God. Satan has declared that man can not keep the law. I will show that his statement is false; that man can keep the law. I have come to remove deception from the minds of men, to make plain that which Satan is trying to make obscure. I have come to establish the law Satan is seeking to make void, to show how far-reaching are the principles of this law. I have come to strip from it the burdensome exactions with which man has loaded it down. I have come to show its length and breadth, its dignity and nobility. I will open before men its purity and spirituality. Not to introduce a new law, have I come, but to establish the law which to all eternity will be the standard of obedience. ST January 25, 1905, par. 2
Some claim that the commandments are not binding on those who are led by the Spirit. What spirit? we inquire. Certainly not the Spirit of Christ; for He declared, “I came not to destroy the law.” “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,” He said, “and shall a teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” He is a rebel against God's government. He is sinning himself, and is leading others in the path of disobedience. “He shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” For him there will be no place in God's kingdom. He is a transgressor of the law, and into the holy city no transgressors are admitted. ST January 25, 1905, par. 3
“But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” ST January 25, 1905, par. 4
Can not men see that to belittle the law of God is to dishonor Christ? Why did He come to this world to suffer and die, if the law is not binding upon human beings? Who could speak more plainly than He did regarding the immutability of the law? He came to bring light and immortality to light by exalting the law, and making it honorable. Where can be found those who preach the binding claims of God's law more plainly and decidedly than did Christ when He was upon the earth? ST January 25, 1905, par. 5
From every one God requires perfect obedience. Of himself, man can not obey the law. Never could he pay the debt incurred by transgression. Christ came to this world to bring man power to obey. He came in human nature that He might know the temptations and trials to which man is subjected. He who accepts Christ as a personal Saviour will receive divine aid in the struggle against sin. Through the merits of the Saviour, he will become an obedient subject of God's kingdom. In the strength of Christ he will overcome every temptation of the enemy. ST January 25, 1905, par. 6
In the day of judgment, every one will receive sentence according to his deeds. Every mouth will be stopped, as the cross is presented, and its real bearing seen. Sinners will stand condemned. Every subterfuge, every excuse, will be swept away. Sin will appear in all its sinfulness. The mystery of the incarnation and the crucifixion of the Son of God will be plainly discerned, and every condemned soul will read clearly the result of a rejection of truth. Those who have chosen to transgress will then understand that they have sinned, and come short. They will read the sentence, Thou, O man, hast chosen to stand under the banner of the great apostate, and, in so doing, thou hast destroyed thyself. ST January 25, 1905, par. 7