ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
Yes; it was pride that brought about the dispensation of law. Sin had blinded Israel's eyes, and God allowed them to have the law, that they might see their need of a Saviour. Like~ wise, if you can meet the requirements, my legalistic friend, then you will get to heaven on your own merits. But if you fail-and you will, for you are a sinner-then the law must kill. "THE LAW" INCLUDES THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Let me make clear one other point just here. The lumber~ ·man in Indianapolis and other legalists who argue that Chris~ tians must observe the Jewish Sabbath, which is the seventh day, tell us that Paul. in the seventh chapter of Romans, had in mind the ceremonial law, and not the moral law. They admit that we no longer need to offer the Jewish sacrifices; that is, the ceremonial law; and they claim that Paul refers to this ritualism when he tells us in the seventh chapter of Romans that we are dead to the law. Now verse 7 proves beyond all controversy that this is not so; for "Thou shalt not covet" is one of the ten commandments. And Paul uses these words here to prove that he has in mind this moral law, as well as the ceremonial law, when he says that the believer in Christ is dead to the law. And the fourth commandment, regarding the observance of the seventh day. is one of the ten! I am seeking to lay the foundation for our study of this chapter; and it is important for us to keep this point ill mind. In other words, "the law" here referred to is no different from "the law" mentioned repeatedly elsewhere in Romans. For example. we read such statements as these, which are but a few of the many of like nature to be found in this epistle: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight : for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (3:20). "Ye are not under the law, but under grace" (6: 14). "Now we are delivered from the law, having died to that Pag.e 114)
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