Love, Law And Gift Of God: Magnificently Blended In Christ

We behold the amazing love of God revealed in the Gift of His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ.

The One equal with the Father submitted to insult, mockery, suffering, pain, and death in order to answer the claims of the immutable Law of God.

The gift of God’s Son is an everlasting testimony to us and the universe of the honor of His Law and the eternal stability of His moral government.

By accepting Christ, relying wholly upon His merits, we are made the adopted sons and daughters of God - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1 John 3:1.

Yes, what manner of love is this, that the eternal God should adopt human nature in the person of His Son, and carry the same into Heaven!

Christ invites humans to take a complete view of God in Himself. Moreover, in the infinite love therein expressed:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

He so loved the world that He could give nothing less. 

Having undertaken the work of humans' redemption, the Father would spare nothing, however dear, which was essential for the completion of His work.

The gift of God to save a guilty and ruined race alone reveals His divine tenderness and compassion.

While the Law of God is upheld, and its justice vindicated, the sinner can be pardoned.

The dearest gift that Heaven itself had to bestow has been poured out, that God might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26.

At immense cost, He opens a way of refuge for the sinner, providing that through the work of the Holy Spirit humankind will be transformed into an obedient child of God and loyal subject of His Kingdom.

The plan of salvation

The plan of salvation through Christ had been laid before the creation of humans. 

For He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8.

This is the mystery of redemption - the love of God for a world that did not love Him! 

Who can know the depths of that love which passeth knowledge? Ephesians 3:19.

Mankind had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him or her, in themselves to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness.

The law requires righteousness - a righteous life and a perfect character. This no one can give.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

Humans cannot meet the claims of the holy Law of God. Therefore, Christ came to this earth as one of us. 

He lived a holy life and developed a perfect character.

These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of humanity. 

Thus they have remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:25.

More than this - Christ imbues people with the attributes of God as imparting Divine power to unite with human effort.

Furthermore, He builds up the human character after the pattern of God’s character. 

Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the Christian believer.

The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. Romans 3:22.

Therefore, God can be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26.

Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ the fallen children of Adam might once more become sons of God. 1 John 3:2.

Heaven's richest gift has been freely offered for our acceptance.

No greater manifestation of God's love can be given than that which was given on Calvary's cross.

Why was this great sacrifice made?

This is the question one would ask when looking at the Savior on Calvary, realizing that the sufferer is divine.

The cross points to the holy Law of God which has been transgressed. 

The death of Christ is an unanswerable argument as to the immutability and righteousness of the law.

He (Christ) will magnify the law, and make it honorable. Isaiah 42:21.

The law has no power to pardon the sinners. Its office is to point our shortcomings. Thus we may realize our need of One who:

• Is mighty to save

• Will become our substitute, surety and righteousness.

Thus Jesus meets the need of the sinner, taking upon Himself the sins of the transgressor.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: 

the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5, 6.

The sin could have cut off the sinner, and forever destroyed him or her. But the high-priced plan was chosen.

God’s great love provides hope for the hopeless in giving His only-begotten Son to bear the sins of the world.

Thus He has poured out all Heaven in One rich gift. 

Therefore, God will not withhold from humankind any needed aid in taking the cup of salvation, Psalm 116:13; 

and becoming an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ. Romans 8:17.

He was made perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10.

Moreover, Christ is able to succor all who will be tempted, Hebrews 2:18, and to make a way of escape, so that they may be able to endure temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

How God reconciles us unto Himself?

It is the assurance of God's love that prompts us to return to God. This gives power to the truth of Jesus.

All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. 

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21.

Thus, as we contemplate the great plan of redemption we can have a just appreciation of the character of God.

Moreover, the gift of God to save humanity, alone reveals the infinite depths of Divine tenderness and compassion.

While the Law of God is maintained, and its justice vindicated, the sinner can be pardoned.

The dearest gift of Heaven itself has been given that God according to Paul:

Hath set forth (Jesus) to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past;

That he (God) might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:25, 26.

Matchless mercy reveals to us a Father, infinite, dwelling in light unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the merits of His Son.

Thus, Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15.

Therefore, the inspiration of His love fills our hearts. We are inspired with love, zeal and earnestness through a living connection with Christ.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6.

For as Christ illuminates our souls, He gives light and life.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6.

We receive the love of Christ as the branch draws nourishment from the vine. 

If we are grafted into Christ we shall give evidence of this fact by bearing rich clusters of fruit.

However, it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for hatred. 

To be kind to the unthankful and evil, and to do good hoping for nothing again, is the sign of the royalty of Heaven.

Love of God

Yes, the tongue cannot utter it and the pen cannot explain it. The apostle cannot find words to describe it.

He calls upon the world to behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1 John 3:1.

Moreover, Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? 

yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Isaiah 49:15.

The law of love is the foundation of God's government. Therefore, the service of love is the only service acceptable to Heaven.

It is God's nature to give. Thus love, truth and joy flow out from Him to all His creatures. His very life is the outflow of unselfish love.

God has granted freedom of will to all. He endowed mankind with the capacity to appreciate His character. 

Furthermore, with the ability to love Him, and to choose His service.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.. John 3:17.

What marvellous and incomprehensible love is this, that would lead Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners.

Thus the Law of God reveals His love toward us, when it is presented as the truth in Jesus only. He was both the law and the gospel.

So by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19.

The life of Jesus was manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:11. 

This life will produce in you the same character and show the same works as it did in Him.

Thus you will be in harmony with every precept of His law. For the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. Psalm 19:7.

Through love the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4.

What a loss it is to the soul who understands the strong claims of the law, and who yet fails to understand the grace of Christ which doth much more abound. Romans 5:20.

Law of God

The law of love is the foundation of God's government. God is love, and His law is love. 

Its two great principles are love to God and mankind.

Love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10.

Therefore, the law of God shows us our sins and we are pointed to the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.

When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4, 5.

Thus we repent toward God and exercise faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, who was both - the law and the gospel.

The Lamb of God is represented as in the midst of the throne of God. He is the Way by which humans and God are united and commune together. 

Thus mankind is represented as sitting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6.

Even now, Jesus is our mediator and officiating High Priest in the presence of the Father. 

He is ever ready to meet our needs and effort, and by His Spirit assists us to a more perfect knowledge of God.

Those who accept Christ's gospel behold Him with clearer understanding and see the relation of His mission to the law.

Moreover, they acknowledge God's wisdom and glory as revealed by the Savior. The glory of Christ is revealed in the law, which is a transcript of His character.

Furthermore His transforming grace works in the soul until he or she becomes changed to His likeness. 

They are made partakers of the divine nature, and grow more and more like their Savior.

Thus they are advancing step by step in conformity to the will of God till they reach perfection.

God gave Himself

God gave Himself in His Son, that humans might have another trial. Thus a way was provided whereby sinners might return to their loyalty.

Mankind broke the law of God and defied His will. Conviction of sin is the first step in reconciliation to God.

Sin is the transgression of the law. By the law is the knowledge of sin. 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20.

In order to see his or her guilt, the sinners must test their character by God's great standard of righteousness.

It is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character. Moreover, it enables him or her to discern the defects in their own.

The law reveals to humans their sins, but it provides no remedy.

While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor.

The gospel of Christ alone can free all from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. 

They must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed, and faith in Christ, their atoning sacrifice.

Thus they obtain remission of sins that are past and become partakers of the divine nature as receiving the spirit of adoption.

Therefore, not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet humanity in their fallen condition. 

God could not abolish His law to save them, for this would have immortalized transgression.

But He gave human beings unmistakable evidence that He loved them. 

Furthermore, that justice is the foundation of His throne and the evidence of His love.

He carried out the penalty of transgression, but He allowed it to fall upon a substitute - His only-begotten Son.

God vindicates His Law

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17.

This is part of His mission to the world - vindicating the sacred claims of that law which people charge Him breaking. 

He came to magnify the law and to make it honorable.

If the law of God could have been changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have suffered the consequences of our transgression.

He came to explain the relation of the law to mankind and to illustrate its precepts by His own life of obedience.

Thus He demonstrates to the inhabitants of this world how the law should be regarded and to the universe that God's law is unchangeable.

The death of Christ proves the low of God is immutable.

Could its claims have been set aside, then the Son of God need not have yielded up His life to atone for its transgression.

The infinite sacrifice of God to redeem us demonstrates to all the universe that nothing less than this plan of atonement could have sufficed to do.

It is so, because justice and mercy are the foundation of the Law and Government of God.

By His life on earth Christ honored the law of God. By His death He established it.

Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice, not to destroy God's law or create a lower standard. 

Furthermore, that justice might be maintained, the law might be shown to be immutable, and stand fast forever.

The last great deception

Now Satan puts forward the claim that the law which was spoken by God's own voice is faulty and some specification has been set aside.

If he can lead believers to disregard one precept, his purpose is gained, because:

Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10.

Thus by breaking one precept they are brought under Satan's power. By substituting human law for God's Law, Satan will seek to control the world.

This work is foretold in prophecy. Of the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan, it is declared:

He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, 

and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand. Daniel 7:25.

Humans will set up their laws to counter-work the law of God.

They will seek to compel the consciences of others. In order to enforce these laws they will oppress their fellow men.

Everyone will be tested. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of the state. Here the dividing line will be drawn.

There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed. 

All will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion. Then the end will come.

God will vindicate His law and deliver His people. Satan and all who have joined him in rebellion will be cut off.

Gift of God

The value of a gift is proportionate to its effectiveness to the needs of perishing souls. 

When Christ gave Himself, He opened up a spiritual fountain of divine influence, that by faith in Him, humans might partake of the divine nature.

This offering shows the immutability of the holiness of His law. 

In the cross of Calvary justice and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Christ is the bread that comes down from heaven and from Him the streams of salvation flow.

The love of God had furnished the costly banquet and had provided inexhaustible resources.

If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever. John 6:51.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:25, 26.

Who can measure or anticipate the gift of God?

Having undertaken the work of mankind's redemption, the Father would spare nothing essential for the completion of His work. 

He would:

• Make opportunities and pour upon them His blessings

• Heap favor upon favor and gift upon gift

• Open all heavenly resources.

They are His free gift to humanity. 

Though sin had interrupted the flow of divine benevolence to mankind, God's mercy and love for the fallen race have not ceased to accumulate, nor have they lost their earthward direction.

God still lives and reigns and in Jesus He pours on the world a healing flood.

The Gospel is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the Gospel embodied. We are not to worship the Gospel, but Christ - the Lord of the Gospel.

The Gospel is glorious because it is made up of Christ's righteousness. 

Our Savior is a perfect representation of God on one hand, and a perfect representation of humanity on the other.

Thus He has combined divinity and humanity.

Let the earth be glad

For Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made and bound earth and heaven together. 

He has done everything He could for the salvation of humankind. He still:

• knocks on the door of your heart

  • to sub with you

  • open unto Me, buy of Me the gold tried in the fire

• invites

  • you to come to Him that you may have life

  • choose Him as your Savior and become a child of God

  • come as you are, sinful and polluted, lay your burden of guilt on Me

  • casts all your care upon Me and take My yoke

  • learn of me,... and ye shall find rest unto your souls

• pleads

  • come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

  • come out from among them, and be you separate

  • confess your sins and put them away

•  urges

  • do not fail to learn the will of God

  • humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

  • let not your pride and unbelief lead you

God will not compel His creatures to come unto Him. He waits for their cooperation.

He waits for the consent of the will. Thus He may bestow upon the sinners the riches of His grace, reserved for them from the foundation of the world.

Unless there is a cooperation of one's will with God's will, the Lord can do nothing for anyone.

All the power is of God. Yet all the responsibility rests with the human. 

Though weak, erring, sinful, and imperfect, the Lord holds out to humankind the privilege of co-partnership with Himself.

Conclusion

No greater manifestation of God's love can be given than that which was given on Calvary's cross.

He has shown that love in the gift of Christ, when He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

Furthermore, love is fulfilment of the law. Christ fulfill the Law of God as exemplifying it in His life

But the love of God does not lead Him to excuse sin. He did not excuse it in Satan, Adam, Cain and in any other being. 

God will not disregard our sins or overlook our defects of character.

Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law. Matthew 5:18.

God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself in Christ for mankind's redemption.

Where love is perfected - the law is kept and self finds no place. If we open our hearts to receive Christ, then the very life of God - 

His love, would dwell in us and transform us into His own likeness.

Thus through God's free gift we would possess the righteousness which the law requires.

God expects us to overcome in His name. He has sent His Spirit to be with us constantly and to:

• Help our infirmities

• Comfort us

• Illuminate our minds

• Purify and ennoble our hearts.

What manner of love is this, that the eternal God should adopt human nature in the person of his Son, and carry the same into the highest Heaven!

References

1. YI, Aug 1897; ST, Jul 1904; DA 762; ST, Nov 1898; YI, Jul 1897; ST, Jul 1913; ST, Sep 1911; PP 469; ST, Dec 1897; 5T 739 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)