Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/527

159* of the Jewish law for the justification of the believers. (In this way we must understand) Saint Paul when he says,

Being circumcised, that is, being bound by obedience to the Law, they could war, murder, steal and otherwise shed blood, all in accordance with the Law; but obeying this Law leads not to salvation in Christ. Thus, a true Christian desiring to be a king could not abide by the old Jewish Law in order to improve evil men. If he really desires to make his pe iple better, he can do this according to the law of Christ which means to love God and all neighbors

But here comes the difficulty: an evil man can hardly be forced by compulsion to love God; for, indeed, the loving of God depends on free will and on the love of man's heart, a love which originates in the word of God

A good king could only by preaching the word of God an evil people to love God; for otherwise, by forcing them he will not succeed. But if a king has to better a people by preaching he is no more a king, he becomes a priest. As a king he could do naught but hang all evil men. For no  Gal. 5: 2,4.