Article April 21, 1934 Issue

Law and Obedience

STANLEY M. SYDENHAM

The Psalmist sang, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." In the thought of many there appears to be a fear of what they conceive to be law, and this is due to a failure to comprehend its true nature. Law is commonly regarded as a rule of conduct established by an authority able to enforce its will. According to this human interpretation law may be good or it may be bad.

In human affairs laws are made for the orderly conduct of individuals and society. They are generally regarded as protective, restrictive, and punitive, and it is because of the latter aspect that to some they seem irksome. To the lawless state of thought anything that savors of personal restraint is repulsive. Yet, in the present stage of human growth, restrictive rules of conduct are necessary in order to prevent the rebellious tendencies of the human mind from holding sway and controlling the affairs of mankind.

Law, spiritually conceived, is neither restrictive, punitive, nor corrective. True law is protective, constructive, regenerative, redemptive; it is health-giving, strength-giving, life-giving. It is never against man, never opposed to his perfect harmony. Law ceaselessly works for and on behalf of man, and through spiritual law the needs of man are met.

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