Laws of Doctrine
To understand and experience God's doctrine, one must obey the laws of love and surrender to God's will.
Frederick W. Robertson emphasizes the importance of obeying the laws that govern our physical and spiritual beings to receive their respective rewards. Just as there are laws for the body that lead to health and strength, there are spiritual laws such as meekness, purity of heart, and love that bring blessings like peace, the Beatific vision, and a sense of God's presence. Robertson highlights that obedience to God's will and surrendering our own will is the key to gaining spiritual wisdom, understanding truth, and discerning God's doctrine.
Text
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine..." (John 7:17).
This universe is governed by laws. At the bottom of everything here there is a law. Things are in this way and not that: we call that a law or condition. All departments have their own laws. Obey the laws of the body: such laws as say, Fix the attention: strengthen by exercise: and then their prizes are yours--health, strength, pliability of muscle, tenaciousness of memory, nimbleness of imagination, etc.
Obey the laws of your spiritual being, and it has its prizes too. For instance, the condition or law of a peaceful life is submission to the law of meekness: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." The condition of the Beatific vision is a pure heart and life: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." To the impure, God is simply invisible. The condition annexed to a sense of God's presence--in other words, that without which a sense of God's presence cannot be--is obedience to the laws of love: "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us." The condition of spiritual wisdom, and certainty in truth is obedience to the will of God, surrender of private will: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
Sermon Outline
- Laws of Doctrine
- Spiritual laws and their prizes
- Submission to meekness leads to a peaceful life
- A pure heart and life lead to the Beatific vision
- Obedience to love leads to God's presence
Key Quotes
“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” — Frederick W. Robertson
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” — Frederick W. Robertson
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Frederick W. Robertson
Application Points
- Obeying the laws of love leads to a deeper sense of God's presence in our lives.
- Surrendering to God's will is essential for spiritual wisdom and certainty in truth.
- Practicing meekness and humility can lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.