Of the Law of God, XIX:6

Although true believers are not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned; yet is it 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 nature, 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 shew what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law. The promises of it, in like manner, shew them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof: although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. So as, a 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.

This is an important paragraph in this chapter, for it elucidates the reasons why a Christian should care about God's law. We have already established that the moral portion of the law persists even though the ceremonial and most of the civil aspects of it have expired, having been fulfilled in Christ and therefore abrogated. We have further taken pains to establish that Christians are saved by grace and not by works (see previous chapters). So the Confession's argument here merits close attention.

The paragraph starts with an affirmation of the believer's freedom from the law as his basis of justification before God. It then proceeds to enumerate all the benefits observance of the law grants to the believer:

1. The law is a rule, or standard of measurement, of life. It reflects God's holy character. It tells us what he thinks about important moral issues. We ought not to discount God's opinion about anything.

2. The law has a peculiar talent for exposing sin. When we compare ourselves to its standards we find much in us that is unworthy. It shows us just how far short of the mark we fall. Accordingly, it throws us back on our dire need for Christ and makes us appreciate him all the more, both for himself and for how he supplies all our needs.

3. The law actually acts as a curb on sin. When we are tempted and become mindful of the law we have at least a mental check on our sinful impulses. In some cases, remembering what God has said we ought or ought not to do will suffice to bring about our obedience.

4. The law reminds us there are penalities to be paid for disobedience. Here we do not exclusively consider spiritual penalties. Sin has a way of wreaking havoc in the here and now. At the very least we are to be mindful of the civil penalities for violating man-made laws that have their counterparts in God's law. But we should not disregard thoughts of how God will punish the sins of the unregenerate and think on what we have been spared (through no credit to ourselves).

5. Recall that God's explication of the law showed the consequences of disobedience--the curses--but also the outworkings of obedience--the blessings. God does reward those who are faithful to him, to keep his word. This is one way we demonstrate our love to God. This is no little thing.

6. No one should charge a Christian who is mindful of the law and strives to be obedient to it as living under law and not under grace. Perhaps it is a fine line to tread between godly obedience and legalism, but the Christian who knows he has been saved purely by grace should be able to pick out the path. Those of us who criticize fellow Christians for being too scrupulous should find cause in this attitude to examine our own hearts and patterns of life.

Tomorrow: The harmony of the law and the gospel of grace.