The Law is Holy, Just, and Good, February 3 VC

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:12. (SD 40.1) MC VC

As the Supreme Ruler of the universe, God has ordained laws for the government not only of all living beings, but of all the operations of nature. Everything, whether great or small, animate or inanimate, is under fixed laws which cannot be disregarded. There are no exceptions to this rule; for nothing that the divine hand has made has been forgotten by the divine mind.... To man alone, the crowning work of His creation, God has given a conscience to realize the sacred claims of the divine law, and a heart capable of loving it as holy, just, and good; and of man prompt and perfect obedience is required. (SD 40.2) MC VC

This rule forbids all oppression from parents and all disobedience from children. The Lord is full of lovingkindness, mercy, and truth. His law is holy, just, and good, and must be obeyed by parents and children. The rules which should regulate the lives of parents and children flow from a heart of infinite love, and God’s rich blessing will rest upon those parents who administer His law in their homes, and upon the children who obey this law. The combined influence of mercy and justice is to be felt. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Households under this discipline will walk in the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. (SD 40.3) MC VC

Let the youth look upon the divine standard, and never be content with a low aim.... Walk not hesitatingly, but firmly in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ. Unto Him is committed all power in heaven and in earth. Take refuge in Jesus Christ, and enter into a firm covenant with Him in faith, to love and serve Him. (SD 40.4) MC VC

Since the law of God is “holy, and just, and good,” a transcript of the divine perfection, it follows that a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy. Christ is the perfect example of such a character. (SD 40.5) MC VC

The Law is Truth and Righteousness, February 4 VC

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Psalm 119:142. (SD 41.1) MC VC

God sent truth into our world in untarnished glory, beauty, and perfection, and placed it in contrast with error. Neither men nor devils were able to detect a flaw in the character of Christ; but the revelation of the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, placed darkness in such contrast, that men would not receive the light.... There is no natural enmity between evil angels and evil men; both are evil through transgression of the law of God, and evil will always league against God. Fallen men and fallen angels enter into a desperate companionship.... (SD 41.2) MC VC

The purity and holiness of the character of Christ stirred up the very worst passions of the human heart.... His perfect obedience to the commandments of God was a continual rebuke to a sensual and perverse generation. His spotless character was shedding light into the midst of the moral darkness of the world.... (SD 41.3) MC VC

Those who become the sons of God cannot avoid coming into conflict with the hosts of apostasy.... Through the merits of the Redeemer, God accepts the efforts of sinful man in keeping His law, which is holy, just, and good. (SD 41.4) MC VC

Those who truly unite with Christ will be found doing the same work that Christ did while on the earth,—they will be found magnifying the law and making it honorable.... When the advocates of truth reveal the efficiency of truth in their life and character, a blow is struck against the kingdom of Satan.14 (SD 41.5) MC VC

The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. Says the psalmist, “Thy law is the truth;” “all thy commandments are righteousness.” ... Such a law, being an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as enduring as its Author.15 (SD 41.6) MC VC

All Nations Are Gathered in Judgment, December 20 VC

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:32. (SD 361.1) MC VC

The judgment scene will take place in the presence of all the worlds; for in this judgment the government of God will be vindicated, and His law will stand forth as “holy, and just, and good.” Then every case will be decided, and sentence will be passed upon all. Sin will not then appear attractive, but will be seen in all its hideous magnitude.37 (SD 361.2) MC VC

“And before him shall be gathered all nations.” ... Every deed, small and great, is to be brought into recognition. That which has been considered trivial here will then appear as it is. The two mites of the widow will be recognized. The cup of cold water offered, the prison visited, the hungry fed,—each will bring its own reward. And that unfulfilled duty, that selfish act, will not be forgotten. In the open court around the throne of God it will appear a very different thing from what it did when it was performed.... It will be seen that these selfish pleasures and indulgences have made the human being a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God.... But it is not necessary for any to be deceived; and we shall not be if we have fully taken our stand with Christ to follow Him through evil as well as through good report.38 (SD 361.3) MC VC

The character which we now manifest is deciding our future destiny. The happiness of heaven will be found by conforming to the will of God, and if men become members of the royal family in heaven, it will be because heaven has begun with them on earth.... The righteous will take every grace, every precious, sanctified ability, into the courts above, and exchange earth for heaven. God knows who are the loyal and true subjects of His kingdom on earth, and those who do His will upon earth as it is done in heaven, will be made the members of the royal family above.39 (SD 361.4) MC VC