It should be remembered, however, that the doctrine of the "reign of law," in the moral government of the world, excludes arbitrary action—action independent of law—even though beneficent; and if that were not true, then God must act in harmony with his own attributes. Mercy must not be at variance with Justice. Even God's Omnipotence must keep step with the attributes of Truth and Wisdom. Satisfaction for violated law, satisfaction to divine justice is a claim that may no more be set aside than the pleadings of Mercy. A way shall be found out of these difficulties, but it must not be by "a schism in the Deity, and an intestine conflict between the divine attributes."[A]
[Footnote A: Shedd's "History of Christian Doctrine," p. 300.]
It can be readily understood that not even God's Omnipotence could make it possible for him to act contrary to Truth and Justice.[A] It ought to be no more difficult to understand that God's Omnipotence could not permit him to set aside a satisfaction to Justice as an arbitrary concession to Mercy. Mere power has not the right to nullify law. Not even Omnipotence has the light to abolish Justice. Might in Deity is not more fundamental than Right. God we must conclude will act in harmony with all his attributes, else confusion in the moral government of the world.
[Footnote A: See closing paragraphs Lesson XII.]
These reflections lead to the inevitable conclusion that there must be a satisfaction made to justice before there can be redemption for man. But how?
LESSON XVII.
(Scripture Reading Exercise.)
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES—(B) THE REDEMPTION TO BE THE WORK OF GOD.
| ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
| VI. Repentance and Future Obedience—Ineffectual as Satisfaction for the Past; Atonement Must Equal Offense. | Book of Alma xxxiv; Book of Mosiah xv; St. John x:14-18; also v:19-29. |
| VII. The Atonement Also a Matter of Power—Ability to Restore that which was Lost. | Mormon Doctrine of Deity—"Jesus Christ the Revelation of God," Ch. iv. |
| VIII. Man May Not Be Left Under the Sentence of a Broken Law, as that Would Violate God's Promise of Eternal Life. | And the quotations and references in the body of this lesson. |
| IX. Conditions that Must Be Met in the Atonement of Deity for the Salvation of Man. |
SPECIAL TEXTS: "For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself." (St. John v.26.)