God’s Wondrous Laws

“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18. God’s laws are wondrous. Their wisdom, the “hidden wisdom” which is spoken in a mystery, has been ordained for our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7.

Paul’s epistles clarify the things in the law that are hard to un­derstand. He prayed that utterance might be given him that he might open his mouth boldly to make known the mysteries of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19.

In the natural realm, treasures are not found on the surface; you have to seek for them as for silver and search for them as for hidden treasures. Proverbs 2:4. This also applies to the spiritual realm. By meditating on the law of the Lord, we gain insight into its hidden wisdom.

Paul states that the Romans “knew the law.” Romans 7:1. This was the foundation on which it could be explained more accurately, as in chapter 7:7: “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’” As we can see, there has to be a law for us to have knowledge of sin—so that our conscience can be made aware of covetousness. Romans 7:9. We receive a love for the law and meditate on it. Psalm 119:97.

Even though we have victory over conscious sin, unconscious sin (sin in the flesh) is still present. Romans 7:18 and 7:23. There is no condemnation for it “because apart from the law sin was dead.” Romans 7:8. There is no development without new light, so we have to be open to new laws (Romans 7:21) and to the light of the Spirit over our nature. Colossians 3:5. We enter into spiritual growth when we receive light over sin which we did not see before. The law of the con­science is expanded and we receive a larger area to rule over. We partake of the same life Jesus lived; we are anointed with the oil of gladness—just as He was—and receive exercised senses. We get to see the greatness of salvation, namely that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled (Romans 8:4), and that we do not give in to covetousness. Galatians 5:16. There will always be some covetousness which will come alive through the law. Romans 7:7. This state will last as long as we are in the body. Romans 8:10. This life is hid­den with Christ in God.

Sin “in the body” is replaced by faithfulness. Romans 7:23. We go from darkness to God’s marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 and 1 John 2:8. This is a tremendous work and a great salvation. The laws of the Spirit of life speak to us about the wondrous things of salvation those that are manifest, as well as about the depths in God. Romans 11:33. These are precious truths which are hidden from the masses, because these treasures lie under a cover of reproach. Isaiah 4:5. Jesus is our forerunner in this salvation (Hebrews 6:19-20), which occurs within the same form of doctrine in which He Himself was molded. Hebrews 5:7-10 and Romans 8:29.

If we are faithful in this light—God’s marvelous light—then we will share Jesus’ inheritance and His eternal glory in the end. Romans 8:17.