Day 247

Of the Law of God.

Chapter 19, Paragraph 6.

“Although true Believers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby Justified or condemned; yet it is of great use to them as well as to others: in that, as a Rule of Life, informing them of the Will of God, and their Duty, it directs and binds them, to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their Natures, Hearts, and Lives; so as Examining themselves thereby, they may come to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and Hatred against Sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his Obedience; It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin; and the Threatenings of it serve to show what even their Sins deserve; and what afflictions in this Life they may expect for them, although freed from the Curse and unallayed Rigour thereof.  The Promises of it likewise show them God’s approbation of Obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works; so as man’s doing Good and refraining from Evil, because the Law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no Evidence of his being under the Law and not under Grace.”

Scripture Lookup

Galatians 2:16

Romans 8:1, 10:4

Romans 3:20, 7:7, etc.

Romans 6:12-14

1 Peter 3:8-13

Reflection

Present all too often in nominally Christian mommy blogs is a post like this:

“Mommy, I know your days are hard. I know you strive to measure up. I’ve been there! But you know what? You are enough. Your heavenly Father loves you, warts and all. You don’t need to be perfect.”

Now, all of this is true…to an extent. If you are in Christ, you are loved. As Christians we are no longer condemned for not conforming to the law. Nothing we do to obey it will earn us salvation. Jesus is our representative, and His perfect righteousness is applied to us. We are accepted before God because of our union in Christ, and should not rely upon  perfectionism to be women who are holy and blameless before Him.

The problem with such blog posts is that they stop there. The reader is left feeling warm and fuzzy, not called to do anything that might be a hardship. Being justified by faith, however, does not mean that we are free to do whatever feels “good”. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” But how do we know what gives God glory? By how we feel?

Despite emotions being a popular indicator of right and wrong, Scripture shows that adherence to God’s moral law gives Him glory: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48); “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16);  “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12).  As we grow in sanctification, we are conformed more and more to the moral law, God’s standard of holiness. These are the good works we are created to do.

The moral law is still to be followed by the Christian. To strive to obey God’s commands is not to be a legalist; it is to demonstrate the heart regenerated, the “fruits, and evidences, of a true and lively faith” (LBCF 16.2). Christian, do not shy away from following God’s moral law. It does not condemn you anymore, but guides you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Questions to Consider

• If you are not striving to keep God’s commands as outlined in the Ten Commandments, what is holding you back?

Day 246

Of the Law of God.

Chapter 19, Paragraph 5.

“The moral law does for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it; neither does Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 13:8-10

James 2:8,10-12

Matthew 5:17-19

Romans 3:31

Reflection

Civil and ceremonial laws given to Israel are no longer binding. Does the same hold true for the moral law? In the United States, the Ten Commandments used to be displayed in public schools. There was an outcry when such plaques were removed from various government buildings. Isn’t the Ten commandments, however, a relic of a bygone era, an outdated checklist? Is anyone obligated to obey them? What about the commands of Jesus?

Ten Commandments codify the moral law, the law that everyone inherently knows. It was written on the heart of Adam by God, where it was deformed by the Fall, and this defect passed on to all his posterity born of ordinary means. It was written down by God Himself on Mount Sinai. This is the law that condemns everyone who does not conform to it. Why does it condemn? Because all are still obligated to keep it.

Jesus reiterated the commands during His ministry. Rather than dismissing the moral law, He strengthened its obligation upon humanity. Not only is the moral law to be obeyed to the letter, but also to the spirit. All of a person’s thoughts, words, and actions  are to conform to this law. Any lack of conformity unto, or transgression of, God’s moral law, is sin.

Humanity has some sense of morality. They universally agree that there are things which are good, and things which are bad. Such morality is an echo of the true moral law that has been distorted in their hearts. Without such a universally binding moral law, there would be no sin, and no need for a Savior.

Questions to Consider

• Should you hold an unbeliever accountable to the Ten Commandments??