T he law that is written in the heart denotes a sense of right and wrong that is inherent in every person. Albert Barnes writes that the law imprinted on our hearts is the means by which we “distinguish between what is just and unjust, between what is honest and dishonest.” The heart- imprinted law does not mean we will definitely seek and diligently pursue the law of God; it simply means that we cannot ignore the law. And man has this knowledge of the moral law well before it was formally written on tables of stone. This Law was first written in the heart of Adam. It was obscured but not obliterated by his fall. That is why when God confronted Cain for the murder of his brother Abel [Genesis 4:10], Cain knew himself he had committed a dastardly crime even though the Ten Commandments was not yet given. The reason – the law was written in his heart. While the Gentiles did not have this Law given to them as had the Jews; nevertheless, they possessed knowledge of the law by the light of nature; that knowledge was deeply impressed on their minds which in turn was reflected in their conduct. The moral law would later be written on tables of stone [see Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 34:1; etc.]. But that did nothing to draw the people close to the Giver of the Law. On the contrary, the law exposed their sin and waywardness, and drove them away from the holy God. It is only in regeneration that the law which exposes man’s sinfulness is reinscribed on the hearts of God’s people and works for our sanctification. And while we are not saved by the keeping of it, we are bound to order our lives by it for our good and for God’s glory. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. – 2 Corinthians 3:3.
LESSON
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.
THOUGHT
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