15. What is the love of G.o.d declared to be?
"For _this is the love of G.o.d, that we keep His commandments_: and His commandments are not grievous." Verse 3.
16. How is the church of the last days described?
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, _which keep the commandments of G.o.d, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ_." "Here is the patience of the saints: _here are they that keep the commandments of G.o.d, and the faith of Jesus_." Rev.
12:17; 14:12.
How blest the children of the Lord, Who, walking in His sight, Make all the precepts of His Word Their study and delight!
What precious wealth shall be their dower, Which cannot know decay; Which moth and rust shall ne"er devour, Or spoiler take away.
HARRIET AUBER.
Love the Fulfilling of the Law
"If the love of G.o.d is shed abroad in your heart," says Mr. Moody, "you will be able to fulfil the law." Paul reduces the commandments to one: "Thou shalt love," and says that "love is the fulfilling of the law." This truth may be demonstrated thus:-
1. Love to G.o.d will admit no other G.o.d.
2. Love will not debase the object it adores.
3. Love to G.o.d will never dishonor His name.
4. Love to G.o.d will reverence His day.
5. Love to parents will honor them.
6. Hate, not love, is a murderer.
7. l.u.s.t, not love, commits adultery.
8. Love will give, but never steal.
9. Love will not slander nor lie.
10. Love"s eye is not covetous.
Principles Underlying the Ten Commandments
1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8-10.
2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6, 7.
3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.
4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Heb.
12:14; Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prov. 3:6.
5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23, 24.
6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.
7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3, 4; Col. 3:5, 6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.
8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.
9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb.
13:5.
The Moral And Ceremonial Laws
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Law Written And Engraven In Stones. The Law Of Commandments Contained In Ordinances.
1. What t.i.tle of distinction is given the law of G.o.d?
"If ye fulfil _the royal law_ according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." James 2:8, 9.
2. By what law is the knowledge of sin?
"I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known l.u.s.t, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7:7.
NOTE.-The law which says, "Thou shalt not covet," is the ten commandments.
3. By what are all men to be finally judged?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear G.o.d, and _keep His commandments_: for this is the whole duty of man. For G.o.d shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13, 14. "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by _the law of liberty_." James 2:12.
NOTE.-The law which is here called "the law of liberty," is the law which says, "Do not commit adultery" and "Do not kill," for these commandments had just been quoted in the verse immediately preceding. In verse 8, this same law is styled "the royal law;"
that is, the kingly law. This is the law by which men are to be judged.
4. What system was established on account of man"s transgression of the law of G.o.d?
The sacrificial system, with its rites and ceremonies pointing to Christ.
5. Why did the patriarch Job offer burnt offerings?