That we are not under law, but under grace, is at once the distinguishing feature of Christianity and the emancipation from bondage of God's beloved people. The line between law and grace, between faith and works, cannot be too clearly marked, for Scripture distinguishes them absolutely. Nor does this apply to the ground of justification merely. It is a common remark that we are not under the law for justification, but arc under it as a rule of life. Most clearly does the word of God negative such a thought. In the most absolute way we are declared to be dead to the law, that we might live unto God. 'The rule by which we walk is the rule of the "new creation" (Gal. 6:15, 16). So far from being under it, the law has been done away, for him who has died with Christ (Rom. 7:4).
If it be contended that this refers to the ceremonial rather than the moral law, a glance at 2 Cor. 3:7-11 will show the contrary. It was the ten commandments that were "written and engraved in stones," of which the apostle is speaking when he calls them "the ministration of death,"-the "ministration of condemnation,"-"that which was done away.''
But is it not a very serious thing to discriminate between the commandments given of God? Where will we find such distinction in the law itself? where in any divine comment upon the law? But we cannot here enter upon a matter we would fain hope is clear at least to most of our readers, for our subject takes us in another direction.
Now the observance of the Sabbath is absolutely enjoined in the fourth commandment. It is enshrined in the very heart of the decalogue. Between its binding authority and that of the other nine commandments, there cannot be the slightest difference. Any attempt therefore to limit or modify it, to change the day for its observance is tampering with the holy law of God. Let us mark this well, for just here is the citadel of Adventism which is so rarely taken, and by which many conscientious persons are taken captive.**We say citadel, for it is the strongest point of the system, though absolutely fallacious. There are graver errors held along with this :the putting God's people under law ; the denial of any true atonement at the cross of Christ; the denial of the eternity of existence of the lost; and blasphemous doctrines as to the Person of our blessed Lord. We have no hesitation in warning our readers against it as anti-christian and most deadly.* If we are under the law, in vain do we speak of a "change of day." Rightly are we asked, Who gave you authority to change the day; and to this there can be but one true answer. The seventh day is the only one ordained in the law of God.
But how simple it all becomes when we see that we are not under the law, have been forever freed from a yoke which could only hold us captive, and be thus a badge of the old creation which it could only condemn. What relief comes to the exercised conscience when once this emancipating truth is clearly seen. Before, the very earnestness and sincerity of motive did but rivet the chains and drive them to the bone. We are crucified with Christ and thus are dead to the law, and passing out with Him into another sphere-in resurrection-we find "all things new."
Alas that we are creatures of extremes. See the soul groaning under the bondage of the law. He longs for holiness, but finds only the strength of sin. He is set free, and now lest he should go to the other extreme needs the admonition, " Shall we continue in sin because we are not tinder law but under grace? God forbid." The accusation of antinomianism is a false charge against the precious gospel of the grace of God, but doubtless the careless walk of some may have given occasion for the laying the charge at the door of any who under plea of liberty, make it an occasion to the flesh.
We believe that just here a word is needed for our consciences. Let the reader note it, we say consciences. "Holding faith and a good conscience;" "we trust we have a good conscience." An awful snare of Satan it is, to lead the newly delivered soul to think he has no further need of conscience. No need of conscience? How then is he to be led in God's ways? Where is that godly fear which should ever be the mark of the child of God? The precious place of liberty into which we have been introduced by the work of our Lord, is the true and proper sphere for the fullest activity of an enlightened, instructed conscience.
All would instantly admit the truth of this as to the general walk. They would agree that while we are dead to the law and thus freed from it, we are now in a position to carry out its spirit and produce in our lives the fruits of that holiness it demanded. "That the righteous requirement (Gk.) of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. "
But we are persuaded that there is but too little application of this principle to the observance of the Lord's day. We need scarcely recall the appropriateness of the establishment of a new day for Christians. The Sabbath was the memorial of the old creation, into which sin had brought ruin:the first day of the week is the memorial of Christ's resurrection, the beginning of that new creation into which sin can never come. Most fittingly therefore does our Lord appear to His disciples on that day (John 20:19, 26); most naturally too do they continue to make it the day of their assembling for worship, and for giving (Acts 20:7; i Cor. 16:2).
As taking the place of the Sabbath all of what was spiritual in that day came with it:-the cessation from all but needful employment, the devoting the day not to our own thoughts or words but the sweet and holy meditation upon the things of God.
We are living in days of apostasy. Farthest removed from Christian liberty is the sacrilegious trampling upon all formerly esteemed holy. The Sunday amusements, the Sunday newspaper, the open mockery of the "blue laws," do but show still further alienation from God and a ripening of things that will very soon eventuate in open and complete apostasy. We know the crisis will not come till the Church is taken away to the Lord, but how near, how very near that happy event is-for how near is the apostasy!
We easily assimilate the thoughts and ways of those about us, and thus fall into the looseness as to the Lord's day that marks the world. Let it be fully understood that Scripture gives no ground for such looseness. How unutterably sad is it to see Christians turn the day into a time for recreation, for merely social visiting with unlimited conversation upon everything but the things of Christ.
We know it may be said that we should be in the Spirit at all times, and that our speech should be always with grace, seasoned with salt, and to this of course we agree at once. But should we not be particularly careful on this day to manifest this ? We would all be shocked at one voluntarily engaging in his business on the Lord's day; is it not equally sad to devote that day to conversation or thoughts equally secular ? Should not the Lord's people, in no spirit of bondage or of sanctimoniousness, make conscience of their thoughts and words on this day ? We are persuaded that blessing would result.
On the other hand what an opportunity does it afford for all Christian activity:the quiet reading and meditation; visiting of the sick or of loved ones, seeking to speak of Christ and His things; the distribution of tracts; the preaching of the gospel. In this happy employment, together with the remembrance of our Lord, the day passes all too rapidly, and we are strengthened for the wilderness and its trials. It has been for us
'' A day of sweet refreshment
A day of holy love
A day of resurrection
From earth to things above."
Contrast with this what is alas too common among the saints of God:a mere holiday!
Beloved brethren, let us suffer the word of exhortation, and seek to use our liberty not as "an occasion to the flesh, but by love to serve one another," and to serve our blessed Lord. What a testimony it is to the world, what a badge of who we are, when the Lord's day is thus regarded. May He, the Lord of the day and of us His redeemed, make it a delight to us.