Bible Readings for the Home

Chapter 69

Nature of God's Law

How may lawgivers are there?
"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:12.

What is said of the stability of His character?
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6.

What is the character of His works?
"The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness." Psalms 111:7,8.

What is the character of His law?
"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." Romans 7:14.

What is revealed in that law as necessary for the carnal man to know before he can be converted?
"And knowest his will,
and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law." Romans 2:18.

Then, if there is a change in one's life, from the carnal to the spiritual, does the law act any part in that work?
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Psalms 19:7.

What did our Saviour say to the young man who wanted salvation?
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17.

Was it the intention of Christ to abolish or change any part of God's law?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18.

What did the Saviour say He came to do to the law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17.

When used in prophecy, what does the word fulfill mean? To bring to pass.
"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying." Matthew 4:14.
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:54.

But what does the word mean associated with an obligation? - To perform, or act in accordance with.
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2. (See also Matthew 3:15 and James 2:8,9).

What did Christ say He came into the world to do?
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:5-7.

Who did the Saviour say should be saved in the kingdom of heaven?
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.

What did He say of those who should break one of God's commandments?
"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: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19.

What did He say of those whose righteousness (right-doing) did not exceed that 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." Matthew 5:20.

On what particular point did Christ reprove the Pharisees?
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Matthew 15:3.

How had they done this?
"For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Matthew 15:4-6.

What kind of worship did He say theirs was?
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:9.

By what rule will men's actions be weighed in the judgment?
"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Romans 2:12-16.

How many of those who are condemned will be proved guilty by the law at that time?
"Now we know that what 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." Romans 3:19.

By whom will the saved be blessed in the bestowal of the eternal reward?
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34.

What blessing will God give to those who have kept His commandments?
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14.