Yea , We Establish the Law

Romans 3 : 31.  That is by the doctrine of justification by faith; by this scheme of treating men as righteous , the moral law is confirmed , it obligation is enforced , obedience to it is secured . This is done in the following manner [1] God showed respect to it , in being unwilling to to pardon sinners without an atonement . He showed that it could not be violated without impunity ; that he was resolved to fulfill its threatenings . [2] Jesus Christ came to magnify it , and make it honourable . He showed respect to it in his life ; and he died to show that God was determined to inflict its penalty . [3] The plan of justification by faith leads to an observance of the law . The sinner sees the evil of transgression . He sees the respect which God has shown to  the law . He gives his heart to God , and yields himself to obey his  law . All the sentiments that arise from the conviction of sin ; that flow from gratitude for mercies ; that spring from love to God ; all his views of the sacredness of the law , prompt him to yield obedience to it . The fact that Christ  endured such sufferings to show the evil of violating the law , is on of the strongest motives prompting to obedience . We do not easily and readily repeat that which overwhelms our best friends in calamity ;  and we are brought to hate that which inflicted such woes on the Saviour's soul . The sentiment recorded by Watts is as true as it is beautiful .
  "Twas for my sins my dearest Lord hung on the cursed tree.
   And groaned away his dying life . for thee , my soul , for thee.

   "O how I hate those lusts of mine , that crucified my Lord ;
  Those sins that pierced and nailed his flesh fast to the fatal wood .

  Yes , my Redeemer , they shall die , my heart hath so decreed
  Nor will I spare the guilty things that made my Saviour bleed ."

This an advantage in moral influence which no cold abstract Law ever has over the human mind . And one of the chief glories of the plan of salvation is , that while it justifies the sinner , it brings a new set of influences from heaven , more tender and mighty than can be drawn from any other source , to produce obedience to the Law of God .

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