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The Moral Law is Subservient to the Eternal Covenant of Grace

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by KenH, Aug 10, 2023.

  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.—Psalms 119:165.

    All inward peace and tranquility of mind arise from the knowledge and love of the law of the Lord. But hath not the apostle told us, "the law worketh wrath?"—Romans 4:15. Have not believers experienced a sense of wrath in the conscience, through "the knowledge of sin by the law?" Yes, verily. But this law, the moral law, is subservient to the everlasting law of love, the eternal covenant of grace and peace; therefore in time "it was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;" even Jesus, the seed of the woman, in whom the law of peace and salvation centered; of whom the ceremonial law was a shadow; and by whose holy life, the moral law received perfect obedience to all its demands, and a full satisfaction for all its curses and penalties by his sin-atoning sacrifice.

    This eternal law, or purpose of God, was manifested by promise from Jehovah himself to the sin-convicted pair immediately after their fall; and confirmed again both by promise and oath to Abraham and his seed, which is Christ. "This law or covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect."—Galatians 3:17. No; this law of life, by promise, is "sure to all the seed." It is immutable, it is unchangeable, therefore not one of them can perish. Hence this law of salvation is the delight of believers. They have great peace from it. For with Paul, they know "the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death."—Romans 8:2. Hence with David they say, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Though many things from within and without grieve and offend them, yet nothing from the law of grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ shall. Christ is not "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to them; they stumble not at the word of his grace." They are not offended because it teacheth that salvation is all of grace, according to election, through the blood and righteousness of Christ; applied to their souls in faith by the Holy Spirit. No; all this is their consolation and joy. The commands of Jesus do not offend them, they are all in love: "His commandments are not grievous."—1 John 5:3. Thus, all their joy and rejoicing is in Christ Jesus only, while they confidently and comfortably hope for eternal life, by God's purpose and grace, according to the everlasting law of love, and his free gift by Jesus Christ.— Romans 6:23.

    - William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, August 9
     
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  2. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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  3. Alan Gross

    Alan Gross Well-Known Member

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    Yes. The everlasting Love of God chose to provide a Lamb before the foundation of the world to make Peace at the cross for His children He chose, when having done no good or evil, that they may be with Them, with the Godhead, where they are, forever.

    This is what the Godhead did for us as Their Elect, based on Their Attribute of Love;

    "II. Giving some instances of the love of God, particularly to chosen men in Christ, and who share in the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

    "The love of the Father
    has appeared in thinking of them, thoughts of peace; in contriving and forming the scheme of their peace and reconciliation in Christ, from eternity, (2 Cor. 5:18, 19)

    "in choosing them in him from the beginning, even from everlasting, to salvation, by him, (2 Thess. 2:13)

    "in putting their persons into the hands of Christ, and securing and preserving them in him, (Deut. 33:3; Jude 1:1)

    "in laying up all blessings in him for them, and blessing them with them so early, (Eph. 1:3, 4)

    "in appointing Christ to be the Saviour of them; in providing, promising, and sending him into the world, to work out their salvation, (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9, 10; Titus 3:4, 5)

    "in the pardon of their sins through the blood of Christ, (Isa. 38:17; Eph. 1:7)

    "in their adoption, (1 John 3:1)

    "in their regeneration and conversion, (Jer. 31:3; Eph. 2:4, 5)

    "and in the gift of eternal life unto them (Rom. 6:23).

    "The love of the Son of God appears in espousing the persons of the elect, those sons of men, in whom his de-lights were before the world was, (Prov. 8:31; Hosea 2:19)

    "in becoming their Surety for good, undertaking their cause, engaging to do the will of God with that cheerfulness he did; which was to work out their salvation, (Ps. 40:6-8; Heb. 7:22)

    "in assuming their nature, in the fullness of time, to redeem them, work out a righteousness, and make reconciliation for them, (Gal. 4:4, 5; Rom. 8:3, 4; Heb. 2:14, 17)

    "by giving himself a Sacrifice for them; laying down his life on their account; and shedding his blood for the cleansing of their souls, and the remission of their
    sins (Eph. 5:2, 25; Titus 2:14; 1 John 3:16; Rev. 1:5).

    "The love of the Spirit, of which mention is made in (Rom. 15:30) appears in his coming into the hearts of God’s elect, to convince them of sin and righteousness, and to comfort them; by showing the grace of the covenant, and
    the blessings of it to them; by opening and applying the promises of it; and by shedding abroad the love of God and Christ in their hearts; by implanting every grace in them, and drawing them forth into exercise; by witnessing to
    their spirits their adoption;

    "by assisting them in every duty, particularly in prayer, making intercession for them, according to the will of God;

    "and in being the earnest, pledge, and seal of them to the day of redemption (John 16:7, 8; Rom. 8:15, 16, 26, 27; Eph. 1:13, 14)

    From: OF THE LOVE OF GOD A BODY OF DOCTRINAL DIVINITY,
    BOOK 1. Dr. John Gill. D.D. - Trojan Horse International https://www.trojanhorseinternational.com/resources/On The Love Of God Book 1, Chapter 12.pdf
     
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