Part 26 (1/2)

Thou shalt not steal.

IX

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

X

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his a.s.s, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT

”Whosoever shall do and teach them ... shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19.]

THE LAW OF G.o.d

It is a common saying, ”The majesty of the law.” It means that the character and genius of a government are embodied and expressed in its laws. The words of Inspiration declare to us the majesty of the law of the Most High.

The Character of G.o.d's Law

The infinite perfection of the divine character is reflected in it.

”The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Ps. 19:7.

As G.o.d is holiness and justice and goodness, so also is His law.

”Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12.

Its Office

The law of G.o.d gives knowledge of the righteousness of its great Author.

”Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law.” Isa. 51:7.

It marks every departure from righteousness as sin.

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

It is not a code merely for the regulation of outward conduct. It is the moral law--the primal standard of righteousness established by the Creator for His creatures. There is not an impulse of the inmost soul that is not reached by it. It is the word which, living and powerful, is ”sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.

Face to face with this holy law, we hear in it the voice of G.o.d saying, ”Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Every soul must confess its guilt before the searching power of G.o.d's law. All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. ”Guilty!” we confess. Left alone with our guilt, there could be no ray of hope.

”The threatenings of the broken law Impress the soul with dread; If G.o.d His sword of vengeance draw, It strikes the spirit dead.”

Thank G.o.d, we are not left alone; help is laid upon One mighty to save.

”But Thine ill.u.s.trious sacrifice Hath answered these demands, And peace and pardon from the skies Are offered by Thy hands.”

G.o.d's Law from the Beginning

The law of G.o.d existed from the beginning. When Adam sinned, he transgressed this holy law; for ”sin is the transgression of the law.”