Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-12-10
Weakness ef the Law.

"The weakness of the law TO save
was the topic of discourse by Rev J. H
Hartman Sunday night in the Baptist
! chapel. of which the following is brie1
abstract:
TExr-For what the law could not do
IN that 1t was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own son in the likeness
of sinful flesh and for sin condemned s'n
IN he f1esh-Rev. VII, 3, 4.
1t shall be our purpose tonight to show
that the Law cannot save, but that saliva
tion comes alone through Jesus Christ.
There are two laws, conscience and the
reve aled law of God, neither o, which
can save, but only condemn us. Con-
science looks W thin, notes the constitu.
ton of our moral nature and pronounces
against 1t. 1t tells US that our natures
are M orally deficient; that our acts are
likewise more or less involved with evil,
and that we might do better and be bet
ter If we would. This Is true Of the hu-
man family and all stand condemned be,
fore Gods voice in the conscience.
II the conscience of man, more or less
a marred type of Gods law, condemns
our nature aud acts, greater is our con-
demuation under Gods revealed and per-
feet law. 1t IS the Office of this law to
reveal what we are and what we should
be. The law is a mirror to reflect ones
self to his own eyes. II IS merciless. un-
sympathetic, uncompromlsing, and i'm
pends penalty for every violation. 1t
IS not the laws prerogative to forgive or
paliate. 1t is the stern teacher OF right
eousness and demands absolute perfection
Of nature and life, . requirement that
cannot be met by mortal man in himself.
The law furnishes no salvation; 1t cx-
tends no helping hand it inspires no
hope; it simply writes against the soul:
deficient in nature; deficient IN action, y
and prouounces judgment accordingly.
Three things we need as immortal be-
lngs: Deliverance from the claims OF the
law against our natures which are under
condemnation, which are also condemned;
and we need also an inheritance in glory.
Neither of these things can the law sup
ply. In this respect it IS weak. But God
has not left US to the penalties Of heart
less law which ever cries against us, and
to the despair of q lost inheritance, but
has ''sent His son in the likeness Of SIN
iuT HCsn Nuu
the flesh that the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled 10 u.s. Here Is mercy.
The word condemn means TO pass judg-
ment aad thus to satisfy. The law
passes judgment against the sinner.
Christ passes judgment back against the
law. Thus 1t is judgment against judg-
ment. The account IS balanced and the
transgressor goes free by this ,ntercession.
Over against the law demanding of us
perfection of nature Christ places His
own perfect nature and condemns the
lsw-satisies it. Over against the law
demanding Of us perfection of life He
places His own perfect obedience and
condemns the law. Under the penalty
impending over the transgressor He
places Himself a nd goes down under its
withering, blishting blow on Calvary
and pronounces judgment against the
penalty-exhausting 1t.
In Christ, therefore, the transgrcssor
satisfies the law IN Its requirements and
pcuslty aud secures an inheritance as a
joint heir. lterc an imperfect man is
saved from his just deserts by the inter
position Of the Savior of the world
To whom does this salvation come! let
the apostle speak in the next verse. To
those "who walk not after the flesh but
after the spirit How important, there
fore, to lmbibe and exemp!fy the spirit
Of the Savior.