Law is commonly identified with government. In one sense it is defined as "a rule of action established by authority." Civil laws, instituted for the protection of civil rights, are the expression of government set up for the security of human society. Respect for and obedience to civil law is the intention of all rightminded citizens. Jesus taught obedience to civil law when he said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's;" but he also urged the recognition of higher law when he added, "and to God the things that are God's." Through reasoning from a wholly material basis, mankind has come to accept as laws innumerable false beliefs which have no authority other than that with which belief has seemingly invested them. Men then attribute their resultant suffering to the operation of material law, not realizing that such so-called laws are of human devising and have no divine, hence no authoritative, source.
Whether or not all agree as to the nature and character of God, practically all men concede that there is a higher power than is usually seen to be operative in human affairs. Assuredly, the wisdom of God exceeds the so-called wisdom of men. So divine law, the only true law, exceeds the human concept of law. Spiritual law, being the outcome of God's infinite perfection, wisdom, and intelligence, partakes of His nature; that is, spiritual law embraces wisdom, intelligence, mercy, justice, order, life, love. If an element of destructibility could enter into divine law, clearly its effect would be to destroy God Himself. Is it reasonable to presume that God would institute or uphold laws which would eventually ultimate in His own destruction and the collapse of His universe? God's law may seem destructive only because it annihilates evil, just as the coming of the light annihilates darkness.
That spiritual law has not been more universally utilized by men is due to the fact that they have not known of its existence or understood its nature and availability. Indeed, they have but dimly known God, His nature and availability, and so have not awakened to the protection and benefits of His laws. If a man were in difficulty which could promptly be redeemed by the action of civil law, yet knew nothing of the existence of that law, he would doubtless believe himself the helpless victim of an irretrievable wrong. His first necessity obviously would be to become acquainted with the fact that a law exists for his utilization. But he could not stop there, for the necessary intermediate steps to recovery must be taken through recourse to the law. This might involve the services of a reputable and qualified practitioner of civil law. He would then diligently follow the instructions laid out for him and expect an equitable adjustment of his difficulties through an orderly and lawful procedure.
